Team Profile
New Orleans Saints
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-4.1% 22ndOff DVOA
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-0.9% 24thPassing DVOA
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-0.2% 12thRushing DVOA
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6.4% 24thDef DVOA
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4.1% 13thDef Passing DVOA
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9.9% 31stDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For22.7 16th
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Points Against24.6 23rd
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Yards Per Game335.0 16th
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Yards Allowed Per Game386.0 28th
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Bears wide receiver Dante Pettis could have already locked up a spot on the depth chart. "It wasn't just the two touchdowns he caught against the Bengals, It's how he has been used in practice." said Biggs during his recent column. "Pettis offers a sure-handed option as a punt returner and might be the fifth receiver. He certainly helped himself Saturday." The 28-year-old last played in 2022, where he recorded 19 catches for 245 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games with Chicago. While Pettis likely won't see more attention than DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, or Rome Odunze, he's someone to watch in case one of those guys gets injured during the 2024-25 campaign. However, he'll need to keep climbing the depth chart heading into Week 1.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, X-rays on Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) came back negative. The wideout was injured during Saturday's preseason matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers and required a cart to the locker room for further evaluation. While the latest news regarding MVS' injury is encouraging, his status moving ahead is unknown, meaning he is in danger of missing time. The 29-year-old, who agreed to a deal with Buffalo this offseason, is coming off the worst season of his career, totaling 42 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games with the Chiefs. However, the Bills no longer have Stefon Diggs on the roster, so Valdes-Scantling could turn things around, assuming he gets healthy.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Dante Pettis played just 12 snaps in the team's 27-3 preseason win over the Bengals but made them count, catching all three of his targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yard touchdown grab from Tyson Bagent. Behind receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, Pettis is vying to be the primary backup. The offseason acquisitions and the switch to offensive coordinator Shane Waldron suggest more three-receiver sets this year, which could elevate the role of the fourth receiver. Pettis has one final opportunity Thursday at Kansas City to secure his spot before the team's season opener on September 8 against the Titans.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) will not return to the team's preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Valdes-Scantling caught a ball in the second quarter, and after being taken to the ground, he remained down for an extended period of time. The Bills' training staff actually stabilized his neck before he sat up and was escorted over to the blue medical tent. He was carted to the locker room shortly after. MVS's night would end with one catch on one target for eight yards. Although the veteran wideout was mobile, neck injuries are no small matter, and the injury's severity is unknown. While MVS is not listed as a starter on Buffalo's depth chart (WR5), this would be a blow to the offense as Josh Allen is missing 241 targets from 2023 with the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. He's Yahoo!'s WR117 in ADP.
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler (thigh) told the media that he is feeling 100% amid his thigh injury. The fifth-round pick in this year's draft reportedly suffered a bruised thigh in Saturday's preseason game. Before the injury, Rattler looked quite sharp in his pro debut, going 9-for-17 with 70 passing yards and a rushing score. This injury kept him out for a few days, and he is now past the minor setback. Even though Jake Haener is currently serving as the backup in New Orleans, Rattler could contend for that role, given his performance last week. Dynasty managers should continue to follow Rattler during the preseason, as he could be worth stashing if he continues to take advantage of any playing opportunities.