We break down the Week 7 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions.
The Week 7 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions features two teams with typically prolific quarterbacks. We have the fantasy projections for you courtesy of numberFire.
New Orleans Saints
Tight end Jimmy Graham (shoulder) is expected to miss two or three more games. He's hands down the Saints' best receiver, so his impending absence from the lineup against the Lions will no doubt leave a big hole to be filled. Rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks will be the player to own this week as a result. Cooks led the team in snaps in Week 5. He's a quick receiver who can get open in the middle of the field, and since there is no one else in the passing game who can take on that task, Cooks should see a lot of targets against the Lions in Week 7.
That could equate to a lot of passing attempts for quarterback Drew Brees. While he didn't get off to the start that most fantasy owners were probably anticipating this season, Brees has attempted at least 40 passes in all but one game this year. He found himself in a shootout against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, a game that was settled in overtime, and threw for a season-high 371 passing yards. While it will be much more challenging to do that against the Lions' secondary, the Saints might not have a choice but to throw if they fall behind early in the game.
Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson (ankle) suggested in practice earlier this week that he will not play in a decoy role against the Saints in Week 7. That doesn't necessarily rule him out from playing completely should the condition of his injury improve prior to game time, but it looks more than likely that he will sit out. That could mean a busy day for running back Reggie Bush, who is also dealing with an ankle injury, but is expected to play on Sunday. He could see a lot of action in the passing game against a Saints' pass defense that gives up a lot of fantasy points to running backs, especially in leagues that reward receptions.
Those receptions will come from the passes of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford has just two touchdown passes and one interception in the last two weeks combined. With the exception of throwing for 346 yards in Week 1, Stafford hasn't been putting up the insane yardage totals that fantasy owners are used to seeing from him. That could all change in Week 7 against the Saints, a team that gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and is especially shaky on the road.