New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed scored a 54-yard punt return touchdown in the team's 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A combination of poor angles, good blocking, and Shaheed's speed allowed the receiver to make his path to the end zone easy. Things did not go as smoothly as part of the offense, though. Shaheed was targeted seven times but had just one reception for 11 yards with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler filling in for the injured Derek Carr (oblique). Rattler showed the ability to make deeper passes intermittently throughout the game but his accuracy was maddingly inconsistent and Shaheed wound up paying the price. New Orleans will face the Denver Broncos' stingy secondary in Week 7. Rattler will draw another start but Shaheed will serve as the team's primary receiver as it is unlikely that Chris Olave (concussion) will clear the league's concussion protocol before the Thursday night matchup.

Running back Alvin Kamara took 13 carries for 40 yards on the ground and caught five of his eight targets for another 24 in the Saints' 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara also found the end zone in the second quarter for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season (seventh overall). With Tampa seemingly scoring at will, New Orleans was playing catch-up for much of the game and subsequently abandoned the run. Similar to Week 5's showing against Kansas City, Kamara was hard-pressed to find room to run as the Saints' offensive line could not open up any lanes for the back against a dominating defensive front. New Orleans gets a few days' rest before opening up Week 7 against the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. Considering the short week and the opponent, the Saints will probably be best served to get the NFL's touch leader more involved again, especially since receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is unlikely to clear the concussion protocol in time to be active.

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was dealt a loss in his professional debut as the New Orleans Saints fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51-27. Rattler went 22-for-40 for 243 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions and gained 27 yards on four carries. Rattler started the game with a 27-yard strike to Juwan Johnson but followed it up with a fumbled snap (which he recovered) on the next play. So it went for the fifth-round pick, alternating between impressive displays of arm strength (often while on the run) and wildly inaccurate throws. Rattler was surprisingly efficient to start, completing 11 of his first 14 attempts, though as Tampa turned up the pressure as the game went on Rattler found it harder and harder to remain effective. It is worth noting that Rattler was without Chris Olave (concussion) for much of the game after the receiver took a helmet-to-helmet hit just three plays into the Saints' first possession. New Orleans kicks off Week 7 when they face the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Rattler should draw another start but he will be hard to trust on a short week.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) won't return to Sunday's NFC South meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The wideout didn't last long in this one, getting hit early in the contest after bringing in a catch for five yards, his only reception of the day. But now, Olave will join Derek Carr (oblique) and Taysom Hill (ribs) on the sidelines. Fantasy managers could see Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson, and Foster Moreau get more targets from Spencer Rattler, with Alvin Kamara also in line to get more looks out of the backfield.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) exited Sunday's divisional clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave made his first catch of the day, which was for five yards. However, the wideout took a hard hit, resulting in a Bucs scoop and score. Even worse, Olave was forced to undergo a concussion evaluation. With Derek Carr (oblique) and Taysom Hill (ribs) sidelined, the Saints can't afford another injury. With that in mind, Rashid Shaheed, Juwan Johnson, and Foster Moreau could see more targets from Spencer Rattler if Olave doesn't return. Alvin Kamara would also presumably see more attention as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. For now, fantasy managers should consider Olave as questionable to return.