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Raiders at Saints: 5 best fantasy options

By John Buhler

Sep 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) scrambles away from pressure during the first quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) scrambles away from pressure during the first quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) scrambles away from pressure during the first quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) scrambles away from pressure during the first quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Drew Brees

Was there any doubt who was the best player to play in the Raiders/Saints game Week 1? It’s Drew Brees at home and that’s all you need to know. Brees and head coach Sean Payton will devise a game plan that will have its star quarterback throw for over 300 yards and three passing touchdowns.

NFL.com projects Brees to have 18.54 points on the Raiders Sunday afternoon. ESPN.com has him at 17.5 points. The best thing that can happen for Brees is the worst thing that can happen for the Saints as a team: terrible pass defense.

If the Saints stink in pass coverage in Week 1, this will force Brees into running an up-tempo, pass-heavy, no-huddle offense. This is a huge reason that he is a no-doubt first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, as few have been as dynamic in these come-from-behind situations as Brees has been for the Saints.

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In a low-scoring game dictated by an improved Raiders defense, Brees should have no trouble getting to 15-18 fantasy points, as long as he limits the interceptions. If this becomes a shootout, there is nobody better to have as your fantasy starting quarterback than Brees. Eli Manning for the New York Giants is solid in those situations, but Brees isn’t as turnover prone.

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