The New York Giants (2-10) host the New Orleans Saints (4-8) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints come in with the 12th-best offense third-worst defense in the NFL. The Giants are 26th in total offense but last in points scored.
New Orleans learned this week that their most versatile offensive weapon, tight end Taysom Hill, will be out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. The Giants also got bad injury news. Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dexter Lawrence (elbow) and rookie tight end Theo Johnson (foot) are also out for the season.
Here are five fantasy plays in this matchup between two teams who are playing out the string.
Saints defense/special teams
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You always have to consider any defense facing this inept Giants offense. Big Blue, no matter who plays quarterback, simply cannot drive the ball and the coaching staff does not have the confidence to take enough deep shots to win ballgames. The Giants have scored over 20 points in just four of their 12 games this season and seven or fewer in four others. They are allowing 3.3 sacks per game, the fifth-highest in the NFL this year. You would be remiss to not have shares in the Saints’ D this weekend.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara
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The Giants have allowed the fourth-most FPS (fantasy points) to running backs this season and are allowing 155 yards per game on the ground over their last three games. Throw in two factors — the absence of Taysom Hill for the Saints and Dexter Lawrence for the Giants — and Alvin Kamara should have a monster day. Watch out for Jamaal Williams, though, deep in the red zone. He could vulture a touchdown or two here.
Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
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Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been solid as a rookie this year, sans his ball security issues. The only thing holding him back is the Giants’ uneven play-calling. He’s only had 25 touches over the past two games. The Giants, with nothing left to play for other than draft status, have nothing to lose by putting the ball in his hands. The Saints have allowed the sixth-most FPS to running backs this year. The Giants should wind Tracy up and let him go on Sunday.
Giants WR Malik Nabers
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Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers spoke up and the Giants listened. He will get the ball exclusively from here on in. He is a special talent who will give this challenged Saints secondary fits. If he gets a dozen or more targets, he is a must-play against a New Orleans defense that has allowed the fifth-most FPS to wide receivers this season.
Saints QB Derek Carr
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The Giants have just one sack over their last four games after leading the league through Week 9. The subtraction of Lawrence will further challenge them. Quarterback Derek Carr has been practically mistake-free since returning from an oblique injury in Week 9. He’s thrown six touchdowns versus no turnovers in those four games. The Giants have been decent against QBs in fantasy this season but injuries and self-doubt could have them with one foot on the bus with nothing to play for.
