The Carolina Panthers have won consecutive games to start their season, while the New Orleans Saints have had consecutive disappointing losses. The two NFC South teams face off on Sunday, with the Saints needing a win in a bad way.
Fantasy football advice, Week 3: Who to start/sit for Saints vs. Panthers
The 0-2 Saints are floundering, while the 2-0 Panthers have been strong.
As if things weren’t hard enough for the Saints, they’re dealing with injuries to quarterback Drew Brees (shoulder) and wide receiver Brandin Cooks (ankle). Cooks appears fairly sure to suit up for the game, while Brees is out, his first game missed to injury since joining New Orleans. The Panthers, meanwhile, will be without wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, but running back Jonathan Stewart will play despite a knee issue.
The Panthers will host the Saints Sunday, with the game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
SAINTS
Start ‘em: The Saints are likely to go run-heavy in Week 3. Mark Ingram, who has been good-not-great so far, stands to be the beneficiary.
Sit ‘em: With Drew Brees out, the Saints will turn to Luke McCown, who has some funny commercials this season and literally no reason for fantasy optimism. ... C.J. Spiller and Khiry Robinson somewhat cancel one another out in the New Orleans offense, making both hard to use. ... If Brees were playing, you could almost hold out hope for the banged-up Brandin Cooks, but there are just too many factors working against him. ... The Saints’ offense could struggle Sunday. Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Josh Hill and Benjamin Watson would all do well to be benched. ... Zach Hocker was held off the fantasy scoreboard in Week 2. ... The Saints’ defense is averaging 2.5 fantasy points a game.
PANTHERS
Start ‘em: Against a bad defense, even with a rough offensive line, Cam Newton is a strong option this week. ... Jonathan Stewart hasn’t overwhelmed so far, but he should be fine for Week 3. ... You’d have to call Greg Olsen a disappointment through two weeks, but he has a long leash as a TE1. ... As banged up as the New Orleans offense is, the Panthers’ defense looks like a strong fantasy play on Sunday.
Start ‘em?: If the Panthers keep up their winning ways, Graham Gano will rise in the kicker rankings.
Sit ‘em: The Panthers’ got good games out of Philly Brown and Ted Ginn Jr. in Week 2, but they don’t profile as strong enough for regular usage, and Devin Funchess hasn’t done anything at all yet.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Mark Ingram, Cam Newton, Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, Carolina defense
Start if you’re desperate: Graham Gano
Bench: Luke McCown, C.J. Spiller, Khiry Robinson, Brandin Cooks, Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Josh Hill, Benjamin Watson, Zach Hocker, New Orleans defense, Philly Brown, Ted Ginn Jr., Devin Funchess
