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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
John Fennelly

Fantasy Football: Potential bargains, must-plays from Giants-Saints game

The New Orleans Saints (6-7) host the New York Giants (5-8) this Sunday at Caesars Superdome in a pivotal battle for postseason placement in the NFC.

The game pits two teams who are more known for their defensive play this season than their offensive output. The Giants are 31st in points scored (14.1 PPG) but have been better of late — 21.7 over their last three while allowing just 16 PPG over that stretch.

The Saints are 15th in the NFL in scoring and are 10th in points allowed (20.1). Neither team has been darlings in fantasy circles this season, but there are always some spot plays to be had.

Here are three fantasy options for this game.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley

AP Photo/Brett Duke

Saquon Barkley is almost matchup-proof at this point for two reasons: he’s healthy, and he’s the only respected and reliable weapon in the Giants’ arsenal. He is also the NFL leader in touches per game (21.6) and you know, where there’s an opportunity…

Barkley has logged in games of 24.1 and 30.0 FPS on DraftKings in two of the Giants’ last three games in which they had rookie Tommy DeVito under center.

The Saints, on the other hand, have fallen off a cliff when it comes to defending the run, allowing a league-high 191.1 yards per game on the ground over their last three.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Very similar to Barkley in terms of touches. Alvin Kamara is third in the league this year in that category behind Saquon and Christian McCaffrey.

The Giants rank 21st in defending running backs this season and have been giving up chunks of yards (148.0 average over their last three) and a back like Kamara could give them fits.

Saints WR Chris Olave

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Olave will likely draw the attention of Giants rookie corner Deonte Banks, so many will lay off him this week. Don’t be afraid to play him, however.

Banks is a solid cover man who makes big plays in the passing game but he’s also vulnerable to big plays as well.

Olave has been a steady performer against all types of coverages and will likely exploit the Giants’ young secondary for a few big plays down the sideline.

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