Team Profile
New Orleans Saints
-
-4.6% 19thOff DVOA
-
-0.4% 25thPassing DVOA
-
-1.6% 10thRushing DVOA
-
4% 20thDef DVOA
-
3.6% 11thDef Passing DVOA
-
4.7% 30thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
-
Points For22.1 16th
-
Points Against22.3 12th
-
Yards Per Game335.0 15th
-
Yards Allowed Per Game377.0 30th
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) will return from a one-game absence in Week 18 versus the Los Angeles Chargers. Edwards-Helaire missed Week 17's win over the Cincinnati Bengals with an illness, clearing the way for Isiah Pacheco (quadriceps/shoulder) to take on a heavy 92.3% snap share. But with Pacheco questionable to play on Sunday, Edwards-Helaire could be thrust back into a featured role if K.C.'s lead back cannot give it a go. Jerick McKinnon (groin) is on injured reserve, leaving La'Mical Perine as the next man up behind Edwards-Helaire on the Chiefs' depth chart. In two games without Pacheco this season, CEH rounded up 169 total yards and one touchdown on 30 touches. The 24-year-old former first-rounder is volatile in a game of no consequence for the Chiefs but should be deemed RB2/3 playable, considering Pacheco may only receive a slight workload even if he suits up.
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (ankle/illness) is listed as questionable for Week 18. Miller logged two limited practices earlier in the week while tending to the ankle injury that has kept him out since Week 10. On Friday, he did not participate due to an illness. Starter Alvin Kamara (ankle) did not practice all week due to the ankle sprain that knocked him out of Week 17 early and will be a game-time decision. If Kamara is held out of the season finale then Jamaal Williams will operate as the lead back against the Atlanta Falcons with Kendre Miller serving as backup, if healthy.
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (chest) is listed as questionable for the Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson sat out practice to open the week, but was able to get in two limited practice sessions after that. The assumption is that the Saints are just being cautious with Johnson and that he'll be good to go for Sunday. Johnson has been heavily utilized in this offense recently. He has seen 19 targets over the last two games. DFS players might want to look his way as a possible cheap option for this weekend.
New Orleans Saints rookie kicker Blake Grupe put together a strong fantasy output in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, converting 2-of-2 extra points and 3-of-3 field goals. Prior to the win, Grupe had only attempted two field goals in four weeks. In a game that is projected to be a lower-scoring game, Grupe should be passed on for other kickers in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. While the rookie has been perfect on extra points, he has only converted 80% of his field goal attempts this season.
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill saw a slightly increased role in Week 17 as he continued to work his way back from injury, scoring his second receiving touchdown of the season. With Alvin Kamara (ankle) not practicing all week and Juwan Johnson (chest) also banged up, the opportunity for Hill to get involved both on the ground and through the air should arise. The Atlanta Falcons surrender 20.3 points per game to opponents, ranking ninth-best in the league. Hill offers upside due to potential increased usage, but the statuses of Kamara and Johnson should be monitored before plugging him into lineups.