The Saints have allowed just two teams to surpass 100 rushing yards this year. They play the Cowboys in Week 13.

Analysis: Ever since bottling up Rams RB Todd Gurley for 68 rushing yards in Week 13, the Saints' run defense shouldn't be questioned. Nevertheless, Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott provides a stiff challenge, as he's amassed over 120 rushing yards in each of the last three games while hauling in 18 passes. The Saints have found plenty of fantasy value in keeping opponents off the scoreboard while racking up seven turnovers in the last two games, but Dallas hasn't turned the ball over in three straight…read more

The Saints have forced eight turnovers in the last four weeks. They play the Falcons in Week 12.

Analysis: Despite coming into the contest with six losses in 10 games, the Falcons have avoided mistakes on offense with only eight turnovers this season. After dropping 38 points on the Redskins three weeks back, the Falcons have been bottled up their last two contests, finishing with fewer than 20 points on both occasions. With their playoff hopes waning, Atlanta is desperate now and should be aggressive offensively, much like they were when they racked up 37 points against the Saints in Week 3. The…read more

The Saints have allowed a league-best 80.1 rushing yards per game. They play the Eagles in Week 11.

Analysis: The Eagles' backfield trio of Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement and Josh Adams has been shaky, with only Adams accruing more than 40 rushing yards in any of the team's last three contests. The Saints will look to swallow them up while facing a stiffer challenge in slowing an Eagles pass attack that now features WR Golden Tate to complement a strong group of pass catchers. The Saints are on the opposite end of the spectrum with their pass defense, ranking 31st in the league. New Orleans also…read more

The Saints haven't allowed 100 rushing yards in a game since Week 1. They play the Bengals in Week 10.

Analysis: To bolster the Saints' run defense, they're allowing a league-best 3.4 YPC. The Bengals would like to lean on RB Joe Mixon because WR A.J. Green (foot) will be out for the matchup and WR John Ross (groin) missed last week's game. However, the Bengals could be forced to the air early if their brutal defense allows the Saints to rack up points, so the Saints will need to key in on Tyler Boyd. The Bengals have compiled over 350 passing yards in four of the last five games, but missing Green will…read more

The Saints have allowed 20 or less points in three of the last four games. They play the Rams in Week 9.

Analysis: The Saints didn't face much tough competition in that four-game span, but they did square off with the Vikings in Week 8 and allowed just 20 points and forced two turnovers. The weapons on the Rams are tougher than any other team in the NFC, as RB Todd Gurley in the MVP conversation and Jared Goff has three dangerous receivers to throw to. Still, the Saints look well-equipped to handle it, having allowed just one team to surpass 100 yards on the ground this year. Nevertheless, their ceiling…read more

The Saints acquired CB Eli Apple via trade ahead of their Week 8 game versus the Vikings.

Analysis: Apple has a small window to learn the playbook, but he'll upgrade the Saints' defense greatly. It will be needed in this circumstance, as the Vikings rank eighth in the league with 293 passing yards per game and have thrown just three interceptions. The Saints have been a train wreck against the pass, allowing the seventh-most touchdowns in the league (13) and forcing just two interceptions. It's unclear if Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (hamstring) will be ready for the contest, but that doesn't…read more

The Saints rank 30th in the league with 297.6 passing yards allowed per game. They play the Ravens in Week 7.

Analysis: Part of the Saints' issue against the pass is they have just 12 sacks and two interceptions, both ranking in the bottom-third of the league. QB Joe Flacco has been well-protected this season and relatively accurate, being sacked just 11 times and throwing four picks through six games. The Saints are tough against the run, but the Ravens simply don't count on running backs to help them win. Moreover, if the Saints' offense gets rolling like it normally does -- which will be tough against the…read more

The Saints allowed 18 points to the Giants in Week 4. They'll play the Redskins in Week 5.

Analysis: The Saints' front seven has been strong against the run this season, ranking third in the league with 79.5 rushing yards allowed per game. Containing Redskins RB Adrian Peterson in Week 5 would put more pressure on QB Alex Smith, who's thrown just one pick and been sacked six times in three games. Smith's ability to avoid turnovers puts a low ceiling on the Saints' defensive output, but they should at least make for an acceptable steaming option in deeper leagues. The Redskins are averaging…read more

The Saints allowed 37 points to the Falcons in Week 3. They'll play the Giants in Week 4.

Analysis: The Saints will hope Manti Te'o (knee) will return for Sunday's game, as he can zone in on Giants RB Saquon Barkley. The Saints defense hasn't repeated last year's high-caliber play, but a favorable matchup against the Giants puts them back on the fantasy radar. New York's offensive line is atrocious, allowing QB Eli Manning to be dropped 12 times already, and now TE Evan Engram (knee) will sit out. WR Odell Beckham is remains a legitimate threat, and Barkley has racked up the targets out of…read more

The Saints allowed 18 points to the Browns in Week 2. They will face the Falcons in Week 3.

Analysis: The Saints defense showed major weakness against the Buccaneers in the season opener, allowing 48 points. It did bounce back nicely against the Browns, but the ceiling remains low with just one turnover and three sacks in those two contests. Doors could be opened against the Falcons, however, as their starting left guard Andy Levitre was placed on injured reserve with a triceps injury and RB Devonta Freeman (knee) could sit out again. Still, the lack of a sustained pass rush or ball hawks in…read more

DE Trey Hendrickson is battling an ankle injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Hendrickson provides relief to the Saints' defensive line, and he has just two sacks this season. The Saints were able to hold the Bucs to just 10 points in Week 9, a game in which Tampa QB Jameis Winston left early with a shoulder injury. Winston has been hot as ever since returning from this injury, completing 72 percent of his passes for 1,221 yards, eight touchdowns and two picks in four games. This kind of potential shouldn't be looked over for a Bucs squad that lost by just three to the…read more

Starting SS Kenny Vaccaro (groin/wrist) was placed on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: Losing the over-the-top presence of Vaccaro could leave the Saints' defense susceptible to the deep ball that wideouts Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu can beat teams with. In their first matchup of the season, the Falcons were held to just 20 points and coughed the ball up three times. The Saints are ranked 11th in total defense this season and have forced 20 turnovers through 14 games. The Falcons are fully healthy on offense, though, which leaves the Saints as a low-tier defense, and fantasy…read more

DE Alex Hendrickson (ankle) and LB A.J. Klein (groin) aren't expected to play Sunday against the Jets.

Analysis: The Saints have allowed a combined 41 points to the Panthers and Falcons -- two of the hottest offenses in the league -- in the last two weeks, forcing four turnovers in that time. The Jets are not a hot offense, though, after getting shutout and coughing up two turnovers against the Broncos last week. Even without Klein and Hendrickson, the Saints defense vastly outmatches the Jets offense, especially with RB Matt Forte (knee) not 100 percent. Consider the Saints a top option this week with…read more

CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: If Lattimore plays, he'll likely be matched up against Falcons wideout Julio Jones, so the Saints could struggle immensely without him. New Orleans has been had some defensive issues lately, allowing over 20 points in each of its last three games, allowing over 400 total yards twice in that span. The Falcons enter this matchup with a healthy pair of dual-threat running backs, and they've only given up the ball 13 times in 12 games, leaving a low ceiling for the Saints defense.

CB Marshon Lattimore (ankle) and CB Ken Crawley (ankle) are nursing injuries ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Analysis: The Panthers are ranked 24th in passing offense, but if the Saints are without their top two corners they could be in trouble, especially since QB Cam Newton is fond of airing it out, with 1,177 passing yards in his last three games. The Panthers were only able to put up 13 points in their first matchup this season, as Newton was held to 156 passing yards. The Saints should be considered a bubble unit in Week 13 against a Panthers offense that has a high ceiling.

LB A.J. Klein continues to nurse an ankle injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams.

Analysis: The Saints had kept opponents to under 20 points for four straight weeks before Klein sat out, and then they let up 31 points to the Redskins in an overtime win. Klein plays stellar rush defense and contributes in coverage as well, which will be important against RB Todd Gurley and QB Jared Goff. Both defenses in this game are solid, but the offenses are electrifying, which could lead to a shootout. Because of this, the Saints should be considered a bubble option in Week 12.

LB A.J. Klein is nursing an ankle injury ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Redskins.

Analysis: Klein steadily has produced around five tackles per game this season with the occasional play in coverage. Even if he can't go Sunday, the Saints defense has proven resilient to injuries and will likely be alright. Furthermore, this Saints defense continues to prove they aren't the defense of the past. With their 47-10 rout of the Bills in Week 10, they have held their last four opponents to under 20 points, forcing four turnovers in that span. The Redskins, however, just put up 30 points…read more

SS Kenny Vaccaro is dealing with a groin injury and didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Vaccaro has played solid in coverage this season, racking up seven pass breakups and three interceptions. If the Saints have to play without him, though, they'll likely be alright, since the Bills are have the third-worst passing attack in the league. To add to that, New Orleans' defense has been playing with a purpose lately, allowing an average of just 13 points per game over the last three games, while forcing six turnovers. The Bills have been frugal giving the ball up, but their offense…read more