We should be in for a good one tonight as the red-hot Cowboys host the 10-1 Saints. Dallas has won three games in a row and will aim to remain atop the NFC East with another victory. New Orleans would have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if the regular season ended today and will fight to defend their coveted playoff position. This game is equally as interesting from a fantasy prospective, as both teams boast several star players.
Each week I sift through the schedule to find the best and worst matchups in fantasy football. I chose two quarterbacks, two tight ends and two defenses to start, along with three running backs and three receivers. I then find the same number at each position to sit and detail the reasons why.
Any players from the Thursday game that make the list are featured in their own standalone article. The rest of the list is released on Saturday so to advise you with the most up-to-date information available.
I make these suggestions based on each player’s weekly matchups, surrounding talent and in-game usage. While predicting the future is anything but easy, using these tools can help us make better choices when determining which players we start or sit from week to week.
Let me remind you that this list consists of players who aren’t obvious. I shouldn’t have to tell you to start super stars like Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Ezekiel Elliott. This article revolves around players who haven’t yet reached “stud” status, and thus require weekly consideration for your lineup.
For more help with your lineup check out The Wolf’s weekly rankings.
Start
Quarterback
Dak Prescott:
After struggling to begin the year, Prescott has now surpassed 20 fantasy points in four of his last six games. Since their week eight bye, Prescott has just two turnovers compared to eight touchdowns, three of which came on the ground. This week he’ll be asked to keep pace with the league’s top scoring offense and should find success doing so against a Saints defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Wide Receiver
Amari Cooper:
Cooper went bananas last week, catching eight of his nine targets for 180 yards and two scores. Though he’s unlikely to top that lofty stat-line, Cooper is in position to be productive again tonight against a Saints defense that has allowed the most fantasy points (PPR) to opposing receivers. Dallas may find themselves in a pass-heavy game-script should New Orleans’ top scoring offense (37.2 PPG) build an early lead, which would increase Cooper’s opportunities.
Sit
Defense
Dallas Cowboys:
Dallas’ defense is one of the best in football and has held every team they’ve faced under 30 points this season. That’s likely to change tonight against a Saints offense that leads the league in scoring (37.2 PPG). New Orleans is also fifth in yards per game (416.6), has allowed the fewest sacks (11) and committed the fewest turnovers (9).
Check back on Saturday for the full slate of Start/Sits
