X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 5 Start/Sit - Monday Night Football Matchup Analysis

Michael Thomas New Orleans Saints

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em for MNF - Week 5. Monday Night Football matchups analysis and fantasy start/sit advice for Washington Redskins vs. New Orleans Saints

Not all sleeps are created equal. There's the "I had six too many adult beverages" sleep, the "I don't have a thing to do tomorrow so I'm turning off any and everything that could possibly wake me up unnaturally" sleep, the "If I lay down now, I'll get... one.. two.. three... hours of sleep" sleep... Then, there's the Sunday night, "I have a comfortable lead in my fantasy football league" sleep. Which, in my humble option, is among the greatest of sleeps to be had.

The only problem with that last sleep is the fact that there's still one game left to be played -- Monday Night Football -- and if your luck is anything like mine, that comfortable lead usually vanishes by the eight-minute mark of the first quarter; leaving you begrudgingly watching the game while refreshing your fantasy app every three seconds, and in some cases, leading to the "I can't sleep because I had a comfortable lead in my fantasy football league last night but Kareem Hunt balled all the way out for no apparent reason and I now hate fantasy football because my team sucks" sleep.

... This sleep is the worst -- I may, or may not, be speaking from experience -- but let's all hit the hay at the conclusion of Week 5 as winners because losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and.... Go watch The Rock, or hit up YouTube, if you don't know the remainder of that quote.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Washington Redskins @ New Orleans Saints

Date and Start Time: Monday, October 8th at 8:15 p.m. EST
Game Spread: NO -6.5
Over/Under: 51

Offensive and Defensive Rankings (per game stats through Week 4):

Redskins Saints
Passing Yards 18th 7th
Rushing Yards 5th 18th
Pass Defense 3rd 30th
Run Defense 7th 3rd

 

Must Starts

Top Players That You Should Have In Your Lineup

Alvin Kamara (RB, NO)

I know, Mark Ingram is back this week. So, the 72.7 percent of Saints carries which Kamara enjoyed for the first four weeks is likely to drop to somewhere into the 50-60 percent range... And?!

The Redskins have allowed opposing backs to pick up 4.81 yards per carry (sixth-most), and more importantly, they've allowed 42 receiving yards per game to opposing RBs. Having faced the Sam Bradford-led Cardinals, the Colts, and a less than 100 percent Aaron Rodgers, Washington has yet to see a QB-RB combo anywhere near as potent as Brees-Kamara. Yet, they've still allowed the 17th most receiving yards per game to opposing backs. Only Tom Brady and Philip Rivers have targeted their RBs more than Brees, and I believe Ingram's return -- while decreasing Kamara's carries -- is a positive in the grand scheme of things. Who's benching him at this point anyway?

Michael Thomas (WR, NO)

Like Kamara, you simply can't bench Thomas at this point. Yes, he was held in check last week against my Giants, but let's not overlook the fact that his 38 receptions through the first three weeks of the season are the most of any player in the history of the NFL. Washington has been one of the stingiest teams against the pass this season, but the Saints are at home in a game with an opening point total of 51. He might not match the 111.3 yards per game average he has to this point, but he's still a top-tier receiving option this, and any, week.

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)

The problem with Reed has never been talent. It's the fact that he can't seem to stay on the field. However, he's now healthy and Alex Smith has targeted his tight ends on 25 percent of his passes (less than only Carson Wentz, Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck, and Derek Carr). Having allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends (tied with New England), the matchup isn't the greatest. But, the Saints have faced just one Top-12 TE in terms of fantasy points per game (O.J. Howard - he put up two receptions for 54 yards on two targets against them) so the numbers are somewhat deceiving. Reed is averaging 6.93 fantasy points per game on the season (12th-most among TEs with at least five receptions) and he also figures to see more than two targets.

 

Must Sits

Players To Avoid Putting In Your Lineup

Adrian Peterson (RB, WAS)

"Must" is a bit extreme in this case. If you're in a deep league, or devoid of options, well, you have no choice but to plug AP in this week. Just temper your expectations on his production. The Saints have limited opposing RBs to 2.96 yards per carry (third-fewest), a combined average of 53.25 yards per game (third-fewest), and have allowed just two rushing touchdowns on the season. Surprisingly, Peyton Barber's 69 yards against them in Week 1 are the most yards they've allowed to a single back this season - they held Carlos Hyde to 43 in Week 2 (though he found the end zone), Tevin Coleman to 33 in Week 3, and Saquon Barkley to 44 last week (he also found the end zone). Roll the dice on AP finding the end zone if you like, but if he fails, don't say I didn't warn you.

Mike Gillislee (RB, NO)

Should you be in a deep league, and have been trying to get by with Gillislee, the run is over. It never really started to be honest.

Paul Richardson (WR, WAS)

Only three Redskins wide receivers have caught a pass this season: Richardson, Josh Doctson, and Jamison Crowder. You can leave them all on your bench this week. I point out Richardson because his 14.6% target share leads the bunch... It also ranks 61st among WRs. In typical Alex Smith fashion, the RBs/TEs have seen the bulk of the action in this passing game, and I doubt that changes this week. Gun to my head, Crowder has the best game. But, I don't feel good about it.

Ted Ginn (WR, NO)

Ginn is about as boom-or-bust as they come, and the presence of Cameron Meredith only further tilts the needle towards the bust side of things. Ginn saw three targets in Week 4 -- he caught zero passes for zero yards -- and while I'm all for swinging for the fences, advising you play what appears to be the third option against a defense which limited opposing WRs to just 120.3 yards per game over their first three contests (third-fewest) seems a bit imprudent on my part.

Austin CarrTre'Quan Smith (WR, NO)

The talent might be there, but neither sees enough targets to be trusted in fantasy lineups at this point.

Josh HillBenjamin Watson (TE, NO)

There are so many reasons to avoid this headache, but I'll keep it brief:

  1. Neither has found the end zone this season.
  2. At 14.9% of his passes, Brees really isn't targeting them.
  3. Washington is allowing 36.7 yards per game to opposing TEs.

 

Solid Options/Sleepers

Which Players Will Have Solid Games and Which Could Surprise?

Solid Option – Alex Smith (QB, WAS)

I'm old enough to remember when the Saints defense was solid. You likely are too. It was last season. Call it the Stefon Diggs hangover, or maybe an extreme case of regression to the mean, but New Orleans has allowed more fantasy points to opposing QBs this season than every team not named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith should do enough here to finish in the QB12-18 range.

Solid Option - Drew Brees (QB, NO)

It's crazy to think we've made it this far without mentioning the guy who ranks third all-time in regular season passing yards. But, we've made it this far without mentioning the guy who ranks third all-time in regular season passing yards. Brees should still be considered a low-end QB1 at home this week, but facing a defense which has yet to allow a 275-yard passer, held Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers to a combined average of 15.6 fantasy points, and should be well rested/prepared coming off their bye... It's only right to lean on the side of caution.

Solid Option - Chris Thompson (RB, WAS)

Alex Smith dumps the ball off to his backs almost religiously, and as a result, Thompson has just 16 fewer targets than all of the Redskins wide receivers combined (23 to 39). He also has 20 receptions - Richardson, Doctson, and Crowder have combined for 23.

Solid Option – Mark Ingram (RB, NO)

If last season was any indication, Ingram and Kamara can both be productive fantasy running backs in this offense. Coming off a suspension (not an injury), Ingram is fresh. So, there's no reason to think he won't see a typical workload - making him a solid RB2 option against a team which has allowed opposing RBs to pick up 4.81 yards per carry.

Solid Option - Cameron Meredith (WR, NO)

Someone has to step up opposite Thomas, and it'll likely be Meredith in this one. His four targets tied Thomas for the lead at WR a week ago, and while the Cardinals have yet to allow a receiving TD to a WR on the season, his floor looks to be around four catches for 40 yards. You could do worse in PPR formats, but with Brees on the other end of his passes, the upside is Bradley Cooper in that movie where he takes that NZT-48 nootropic.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Luis Rengifo45 mins ago

Out After Having Root Canal
Tyler Matzek54 mins ago

Joins Big-League Roster
Chandler Simpson60 mins ago

Back In Leadoff Spot On Tuesday
Wade Miley1 hour ago

Starting His Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Sam Moll1 hour ago

Starting Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Tyler Stephenson1 hour ago

Starting Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Marcus Semien1 hour ago

Dropped To Five-Hole On Tuesday
Cody Poteet2 hours ago

Placed On 15-Day Injured List With Shoulder Inflammation
Will Levis2 hours ago

Unlikely To Be Traded
Trevor Rogers2 hours ago

To Make Rehab Appearance On Wednesday
Houston Texans2 hours ago

Texans Considering Trading Up
Kyle Gibson2 hours ago

Goes Five Innings In Latest Minor-League Start
Cleveland Browns2 hours ago

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Appears At Offseason Program
Thomas Detry2 hours ago

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
George Kirby2 hours ago

To Face Hitters This Week
Christian McCaffrey2 hours ago

Has No Restrictions
Terry Rozier2 hours ago

Ruled Out For Wednesday
Daulton Varsho2 hours ago

Could Make Season Debut This Weekend
Max Scherzer2 hours ago

Plays Catch
Damian Lillard2 hours ago

Will Have His Minutes Monitored Tuesday
Anthony Santander2 hours ago

Sitting On Tuesday Amidst Slump
Jayson Tatum2 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful For Game 2
Robert MacIntyre2 hours ago

Returns To Zurich Classic With High Hopes
Jake McCarthy2 hours ago

Sent To Triple-A
Justin Martinez3 hours ago

Unavailable Recently Due To Fatigue
Derek Forbort3 hours ago

Recovering From Surgery
A.J. Puk3 hours ago

Undergoes MRI Exam
Martin Fehérváry3 hours ago

Martin Fehervary To Miss Postseason Following Knee Surgery
Tyler Glasnow3 hours ago

Dodgers Expect Tyler Glasnow To Make His Next Start
Shane Lowry3 hours ago

Returning To Zurich Classic With Red-Hot Teammate
Nestor Cortes3 hours ago

Moved To 60-Day Injured List
Luke Glendening3 hours ago

Available For Start Of Playoffs
Tyler Soderstrom3 hours ago

To See Time In Left Field And As Designated Hitter
Mitchell Chaffee3 hours ago

Available Tuesday
Nick Kurtz3 hours ago

Will Not Be In A Platoon
Cody Glass3 hours ago

Good To Go Tuesday
Brenden Dillon3 hours ago

Won't Play In Game 2
Luke Hughes3 hours ago

Out On Tuesday
Matthew Tkachuk3 hours ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Damian Lillard5 hours ago

Cleared To Play Tuesday
Brock Purdy5 hours ago

Reports For OTA's Amid Contract Discussions
George Kittle5 hours ago

Skips Start Of 49ers Offseason Program
Dallas Cowboys5 hours ago

Stephon Gilmore Spotted At Cowboys Facility On Tuesday
James Cook6 hours ago

Not At Start Of Voluntary OTAs
Kirk Cousins6 hours ago

Reports To Voluntary OTA's
Cam Ward6 hours ago

Titans Officially Staying Put At No. 1 Overall Pick, Expected To Select Cam Ward
7 hours ago

Ashton Jeanty's Tackle-Breaking Ability Sets Him Apart
7 hours ago

Jalen Milroe Not A Lock To Go In First Round
Denver Broncos7 hours ago

Broncos Willing To Trade Up In This Week's Draft
Indianapolis Colts7 hours ago

Colts Searching For A Tight End That Can Do It All
Daniel Jones7 hours ago

Colts Expect Both Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones To Help Them In 2025
7 hours ago

Giants High On Jaxson Dart
Rory McIlroy7 hours ago

Making Second Appearance At Zurich Classic
7 hours ago

Saints Not Expected To Take Shedeur Sanders
Aaron Rodgers8 hours ago

Situation Won't Affect Steelers Draft Plan
NFL10 hours ago

Browns, Giants Receiving Calls For No. 2, No. 3 Picks
Nikola Jokić11 hours ago

Nikola Jokic Posts 19th Postseason Triple-Double
Kawhi Leonard11 hours ago

Leads Clippers To Game 2 Victory
Jalen Brunson11 hours ago

Leads All Scorers With 37 Points In Monday's Loss
Tobias Harris11 hours ago

Notches Double-Double In Game 2 Win
Cade Cunningham11 hours ago

Leads Pistons To Victory With 33 Points
Rob Dillingham11 hours ago

Out On Tuesday
Maxi Kleber11 hours ago

Remains Out For Game 2
GG Jackson II11 hours ago

Available For Tuesday
Evan Bouchard12 hours ago

Dishes Out Three Assists In Postseason Opener
Connor McDavid12 hours ago

Racks Up Four Points In Losing Effort
Nick Taylor12 hours ago

Can Surprise Again In The Big Easy
Phillip Danault12 hours ago

Nets Two Goals In Game 1 Victory
Adam Hadwin12 hours ago

Expects To Contend At Zurich Classic
Mark Scheifele12 hours ago

Bags Two Points In Monday's Win
Alejandro Tosti12 hours ago

Could Get Hot Again In New Orleans
Lane Hutson12 hours ago

Posts Two Assists In Playoff Debut
Joe Highsmith12 hours ago

Struggling As New Orleans Approaches
Dylan Strome12 hours ago

Registers Three Assists In Overtime Win
Karl Vilips12 hours ago

Steps Up To Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Alex Ovechkin12 hours ago

Scores First Playoff Overtime Goal
Michael Thorbjornsen12 hours ago

Ready To Make Waves In New Orleans
Braden Schneider12 hours ago

Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
Tom Hoge13 hours ago

Ready To Make Some Birdies In New Orleans
Billy Horschel13 hours ago

Has Game To Win Third Zurich Classic
Tennessee Titans20 hours ago

Titans Have Turned Down Offers For No. 1 Overall Pick
21 hours ago

Saints Targeting Jaxson Dart?
Aaron Gordon23 hours ago

Cleared For Action
Ousmane Dieng1 day ago

Still Out On Tuesday
Kevin Love1 day ago

Remains Away From Team
Terry Rozier1 day ago

Hurts Ankle Monday
Damian Lillard1 day ago

Officially Listed As Questionable For Game 2
Isaiah Stewart1 day ago

Ruled Out For Game 2 Against Knicks
Trent Frederic1 day ago

A Game-Time Call Monday
Leon Draisaitl1 day ago

Returns To Oilers Lineup For Postseason Opener
Jake Walman1 day ago

Available For Game 1
Brett Kulak1 day ago

Ready To Play Monday
Aliaksei Protas1 day ago

Expected To Return During First-Round Series
Isaiah Stewart2 days ago

Iffy For Monday Night
Aaron Gordon2 days ago

Listed As Probable For Game 2
Jaylen Brown3 days ago

Not Expected To Be Limited On Sunday
Ryan Blaney5 days ago

Bold Strategies Fall Flat, Still Musters A Top-Five Finish At Bristol
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF