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The Week 8 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints features a stud tight end returning to New Orleans as an opponent for the first time in his career. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Seattle Seahawks
After getting off to a rocky start in terms of both his health and fantasy production early in the year, it appears quarterback Russell Wilson is still struggling to right the ship. He’s currently on pace for 88 rushing yards this season. That’s nothing, considering he’s a good bet to go over 500 yards most years. His knee is obviously bothering him. Add to that the fact Wilson hasn’t thrown a touchdown in back-to-back games and it’s no wonder fantasy owners are starting to scratch their heads. Week 8, however, could bring out the best in Wilson. He will be up against a high-flying offense. Failing to throw or rush for a touchdown in New Orleans just isn’t going to cut it. Luckily for Wilson, the Saints have given up points left, right, and center this season. Week 8 could represent the bounce-back opportunity that Wilson’s fantasy owners have been waiting for.
Tight end Jimmy Graham certainly hopes that’s the case. Fortunately, the Pro-Bowl caliber pass catcher has finally found his game in Seattle. Sure, he’s not producing at the same pace he was as a member of the Saints, but the good news is Graham has been targeted 19 times in just the last two weeks. In a Week 7 tie against the Arizona Cardinals, Graham finished with five catches for 53 yards. It’s a shame he only has one touchdown this year. A date against the team that traded him away two years ago may inspire the Seahawks to make Graham a huge part of the game plan in Week 8.
New Orleans Saints
Fantasy owners should know by now that quarterback Drew Brees is normally much better at home than he is on the road. His slow start in Kansas City last Sunday was certainly a contributing factor to the team’s loss. Fortunately for fantasy owners, spending most of the afternoon trying to come back helped to pad Brees’ stats. He finished with 367 passing yards and three touchdowns and now has seven touchdowns compared to two interceptions over the last two games. Seattle’s defense is top-notch, but so is Brees. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in Week 8.
Wide receiver Michael Thomas will certainly benefit if the Saints do. He’s been one of the biggest surprises of the 2016 fantasy season. He was shut out of the end zone in Kansas City, marking the first time in a month an opponent has been able to do that. The good news is he still caught 10 passes for 130 receiving yards in Week 7. He’s the only receiver on the team who has at least four catches and 40 yards in every game this season. Thomas’ consistency makes him valuable in head-to-head leagues and PPR formats. Fantasy owners can only hope he can keep the good times rolling against Seattle.