Will Michael Thomas be a top-11 wide receiver vs. Falcons?

Michael Thomas needs to come up big vs. the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon.

2020 has been a tough year for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Billed as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Thomas has only played in three games this year. He has amassed just 10 receptions for 95 yards in a year he was the first wide receiver you took in your fantasy football league. Does he finally have a big game in Week 11 vs. the Atlanta Falcons?

The Fantasy Footballers look at the Saints’ matchup vs. the Falcons on Sunday with great intrigue. It will be the first game of the year Jameis Winston starts in place of the injured Drew Brees at quarterback. While we all know Winston can sling it from his days as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller, can he be trusted to elevate Thomas in his quest for a WR1 performance?

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Previous data this season suggests a top-11 wide receiver game out of Thomas is not likely to happen. However, this is the Saints’ biggest rival in a game where someone has to step up in Brees’ extended absence. Winston will want a few easy completions to get into rhythm in this Saints offense and what better way to do that than target Thomas in the middle of the field.

Michael Thomas’ rapport with Jameis Winston will be big down the stretch

The good news for Thomas is he seems to be finally healthy. He has missed two-thirds of the season due to injury. While Winston is not Brees, it is not a huge drop-off in overall quarterback play. Winston may not be as accurate as Brees, but he has never been afraid to throw the football in his career, college or pro. Volume could be the biggest thing in Thomas’ advantage Sunday.

What is concerning for Thomas besides an overall lack of productivity this year is the Falcons defense has surprisingly come on since former head coach Dan Quinn was fired. The Dirty Birds have gone 3-1 under interim head coach Raheem Morris, and should be 4-0 since Quinn’s dismissal had Todd Gurley not inadvertently scored an untimely touchdown vs. the Detroit Lions.

While Atlanta will blow leads like nobody’s business, especiallly if the Falcons go into prevent defense, it will be a game on the road vs. the Saints. Though a season split between the Falcons and Saints feels probable, the Saints are more likely to play catchup on the road in two weeks than on Sunday. Thomas may have a big game, but saying he will be a WR1 is a bit much at this point.