Fantasy football projections, Week 8: Bills vs. Saints featuring Fred Jackson, Drew Brees and Marques Colston

We break down the Week 8 matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints.

Oct 27, 2013, 11:53 AM UTC

Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

The Week 8 matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints could shape up to be a very one-sided affair. We’ve got all the fantasy projections for you courtesy of numberFire.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills were supposed to have one of the best running back tandems in the NFL this season. Although neither C.J. Spiller nor Fred Jackson have played too badly so far in 2013, they have both been hampered by injuries which has slowed their fantasy production. This week, Spiller was not able to practice meaning that Jackson will carry the load in New Orleans. Even if Spiller decides to play, it will likely be in a limited role. Jackson managed 75 total yards and a touchdown last week against the Miami Dolphins.

In the passing game, the Bills will have to rely on quarterback Thaddeus Lewis to compete with his counterpart Drew Brees. That will prove to be a tall order for Lewis in terms of winning the game, but he may impress any fantasy owners who take a gamble on him against the Saints. He will probably be playing catch-up for most of the contest, which could result in some inflated statistics and fantasy points.

New Orleans Saints

After starting the season on a torrid passing pace only be eclipsed by Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, Drew Brees has been held under 300 yards passing in each of the last two weeks. Snapping a streak of four straight games with over 300 yards to start the season. Of course fantasy owners couldn’t reasonably expect the former Super Bowl MVP to keep up with the kind of numbers he was posting, but odds are he will be able to get back over the 300-yard mark against a Buffalo secondary that allows just under 257 yards per game to lesser passers.

Tight end Jimmy Graham (foot) did not practice with the team on Thursday and could very well be out, meaning that Brees will have to rely on Marques Colston and Darren Sproles in the passing game against the Bills. Colston in particular has had a down year this season in fantasy terms. Through six games this season, he’s averaging just 54 yards a game and has one touchdown. By comparison, Colston had 10 touchdowns last year and averaged 72 yards per game.