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Week 13 is almost in the books, and tonight we get the final game of the week, fellow RotoBallers. We're back as always with our Monday Night Football matchups analysis article, this time for the Saints vs. Buccaneers. It's been a wild and crazy week of NFL and fantasy football action filled with big performances, new players emerging, and injuries. Hopefully, you're on the verge of winning your matchups (or already have).
Now, we get one more game on Monday night to finish it off. Below you will find our matchups analysis for the Monday Night Football game between the New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hopefully, it will be an exciting game that adds to a week filled with plenty of booms, busts, and injuries.
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 13 matchups. Good luck RotoBallers!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Spread: Buccaneers -4.0
Implied Total: Saints (18.25) vs. Buccaneers (22.25)
Pace: Saints (15th) vs. Buccaneers (first)
Saints Off. DVOA: -1.2% Pass (24th), -3.2% Rush (13th)
Buccaneers Off. DVOA: 22.2% Pass (10th), -20.3% Rush (31st)
Saints Def. DVOA: 2.3% Pass (12th), -1.9% Rush (21st)
Buccaneers Def. DVOA: -10.3% Pass (sixth), -9.8% Rush (14th)
Matchups We Love
Chris Godwin (WR, TB)
Godwin was unstoppable last week, catching 12 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Clearly, he's feeling healthy and like his usual self. He moves to the top 12 after what we've seen the past two weeks, taking on a banged-up New Orleans defense.
Matchups We Hate
Saints Tight Ends
The tight end group as a whole saw five targets, which were spread out among three different players. Taysom Hill added six carries and one passing attempt, but the way this offense is playing, none of them have much appeal on the road against the Buccaneers in a game Tampa Bay needs to win.
UPDATE: Juwan Johnson has been ruled out, removing him from the tight end room, and providing a slight boost for Hill.
Other Matchups
Rachaad White (RB, TB)
White was a reception machine last week, finishing with nine of them for 45 yards. He added 64 on the ground for a decent day, although a trip to the end zone would have been the cherry on top. It's unclear whether Leonard Fournette will return this week, which would impact White's value.
White is still the more explosive player, but the goal-line role might shift back to Fournette. He'll still be the preferred choice as a top-30 back with Fournette and a top-15 back without him. Fournette will be a risky flex option if he suits up.
UPDATE: Fournette is active for Monday's game. However, it's difficult to determine the extent of his workload, so he's a risky flex option.
Tom Brady (QB, TB)
Brady failed to lead his team to victory last week, losing in overtime to the Browns, but he produced another top-15 finish for fantasy. The Saints are depleted and struggling to stay competitive, keeping Brady on the radar as a streamer.
Mike Evans (WR, TB)
He and Brady are lacking their typical connection on deep throws, which has really hurt his fantasy value. He's only had four nice games this year, none of which have occurred since Week 8.
The volume is still there with nine or more targets in four of his last five games, but that's only turned into about four receptions per game. He still has the ability to score and produce big plays but his floor is much lower, especially if Marshon Lattimore plays, sending him outside the top 24.
UPDATE: Russell Gage will play in Monday's game, reducing the opportunity for Julio Jones to have a good game, and making neither a player to start.
UPDATE: Marshon Lattimore has been ruled out, increasing the odds Evans has a better game.
Alvin Kamara (RB, NO)
Kamara had another poor outing last week despite six receptions for 37 yards because he lost two fumbles. The offense was shut out, generating 260 total yards. The matchup will be better against the Buccaneers, but they're still an above-average defense with a lot to play for. He can no longer be viewed as an elite option but his role keeps him in the top 24.
Chris Olave (WR, NO)
Olave continues to be held back by the play of his quarterback and the overall quality of the offense. The underlying metrics are still there, he's eighth in yards per route run with 2.45 and he has the ninth-highest PFF grade. Additionally, he's clearly the No. 1 option, and the potential for a big game is there each week, keeping him in the top 24.
Injuries
Russell Gage (hamstring)
Leonard Fournette (hip)
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