Jameis Winston played serviceably as the New Orleans quarterback for the first three weeks of the season. Then he went down with a back injury, sitting out Weeks 4 and 5 before dressing but not playing in Week 6. With the slew of teams on their bye week consisting of some of the top quarterbacks in the league, fantasy managers may be wondering who will be taking snaps on Thursday night when the Saints take on the Cardinals. Will it be Winston, or will Andy Dalton get the start in Week 7? Here’s what we know.
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Jameis Winston not yet named starting QB ahead of Thursday’s Week 7 matchup
Saints HC Dennis Allen declined to name who would be the team’s starting QB for this coming Thursday’s game vs. Arizona.
Fantasy Impact
Winston practiced this week and was active for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati. However, Allen admitted that Winston still was not 100% healthy. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton continues to make the most of his banged up offense. This will be one for fantasy managers to monitor closely on a short week.
What the Experts are Saying
NO QB: TBD on whether we see another game from Andy Dalton or if Jameis Winston reassumes the starting gig. Dennis Allen has stated they’re taking the starting decision up to kickoff. Fun times. Dalton has played better than his fantasy finishes have indicated (QB23, QB26, QB22). He’s third in PFF passing grade, 17th in adjusted completion rate, and 16th in big-time throw rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). Winston has fared better as a fantasy option with QB7, QB26, and QB14 outings, but he has been worse from a real football perspective. Winston ranks 19th in PFF passing grade and 29th in adjusted completion rate, but he’s flashed the trademark big strikes ranking third in big-time throw rate (minimum 50 dropbacks). Whichever player is under center returns to a surprisingly tough matchup against Arizona. Since Week 4, this pass defense has tightened up. They are eighth in pass defense DVOA while also ranking inside the top 12 in passing yards per game (tenth-fewest), EPA (eighth-lowest), and explosive pass rate (11th-lowest). Dalton and Winston are only mid to low-end QB2s.
-Derek Brown
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