Week 9 Game Scripts to Target in Daily Fantasy Football

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

Over/Under: 50.5

Saints Implied Team Total: 28.75

Buccaneers Implied Team Total: 21.75

With six teams on bye, including fantasy juggernauts like the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, this projects to be somewhat of a low scoring week in the NFL. However, there are a few potential shootouts on the docket, and the New Orleans Saints/Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup is certainly one of them, with an over/under of 50.5 points.

The Saints (5-2) are on a five-game winning streak and sit atop the NFC South. Meanwhile, the Bucs have struggled to a 2-5 start and currently occupy the bottom spot in the division. This is an important contest from both a reality and fantasy perspective.

Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

FanDuel Price: $7,600

Don't let a lack of touchdowns scare you off -- the Michael Thomas breakout is on its way. While the Saints suddenly boast a dynamic rushing attack (more on that in a moment), the sophomore wideout remains heavily involved in the game plan. Quietly, Thomas has surpassed 75 receiving yards in five of seven contests this year, and he's snared 5 or more catches in all but one. Essentially, he's been Mr. Consistency.

While he's only scored a pair of touchdowns on the season, that number is likely to see some positive regression, and that could very well start this weekend against a Buccaneers team that is surrendering the second-most FanDuel points a game to opposing wide receivers (33.4). The Bucs are also permitting 0.21 Adjusted Passing Net Expected Points (NEP) per play, which is the fourth-highest total in the league. For more on NEP, check out our glossary.

Thomas can be started for WR9 cost this week, but is projected to be the second-highest scoring receiver on the slate with 16.0 points. This could very easily be the game he busts out of his touchdown drought. Don't miss out on this opportunity.

Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints

FanDuel Price: $7,900

Mark Ingram has been on an incredible roll as of late. The veteran has rushed for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns over his last three contests, while chipping in 15 receptions for 65 yards over that same span. Ingram has seen 24 or more touches in each of these games and is locked in as a high-volume option in a potent offense. Some are concerned his role might decrease after losing two fumbles last week, but I expect him to bounce back with a chip on his shoulder.

As much as the Bucs have struggled against the pass this season, they haven't exactly been stout defending the run either, permitting 21.9 FanDuel points per contest (tied for ninth-worst) to opposing running backs. Even after those miscues from a week ago, he seems assured of a featured role. At RB6 cost, he's well-worth the investment.

Others to Consider

Drew Brees ($8,300) remains one of the game's best quarterbacks and finds himself in a premium matchup this week. However, he isn't racking up passing attempts now that the Saints' running game is humming, and he remains priced as the QB3. Alvin Kamara ($6,600) leads all running backs who have seen 20 or more carries with a Rushing NEP per play total of 0.31. The rookie is also a dynamic receiver, with 31 catches on the season. The only thing standing in his way is his modest workload.

Jameis Winston ($7,700) has been up-and-down in 2017, alternating impressive showings with clunkers on an almost weekly basis. Playing hurt, coming off a three-turnover disaster against the Carolina Panthers, and facing a suddenly impressive Saints' defense on the road, this is not the week to expect a breakout. Mike Evans ($8,500) hasn't been talked about a lot in 2017, but he's accumulated a 39-519-4 stat line over six contests. For the cost of the WR2, he doesn't represent a value pick, but he's as reliable as any other wideout in the game.

Cameron Brate ($6,100) has had 4 or more receptions in all but one game this season, and has totaled at least 60 receiving yards in five straight contests. The only reasons for caution are his TE5 cost and the fact that the Saints are allowing the fifth-fewest (tied) FanDuel points per game (7.9) to opposing tight ends.