The Worksheet, a comprehensive fantasy football preview by Rich Hribar, breaks down everything you need to know about the Week 8 matchup between the Colts and Saints.
Find a breakdown of every Week 8 NFL game in our Worksheet Hub.
| New Orleans | Rank | @ | Indianapolis | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Spread | -1.0 | ||
| 21.25 | Implied Total | 22.25 | ||
| 19.0 | 21 | Points/Gm | 25.4 | 6 |
| 18.1 | 7 | Points All./Gm | 27.3 | 30 |
| 70.6 | 3 | Plays/Gm | 67.1 | 6 |
| 60.0 | 5 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 70.0 | 32 |
| 4.6 | 28 | Off. Yards/Play | 5.4 | 13 |
| 4.8 | 5 | Def. Yards/Play | 5 | 11 |
| 40.28% | 22 | Rush% | 43.83% | 9 |
| 59.72% | 11 | Pass% | 56.17% | 24 |
| 41.67% | 11 | Opp. Rush % | 44.49% | 19 |
| 58.33% | 22 | Opp. Pass % | 55.51% | 14 |
- Games featuring the Colts are averaging a league-high 137.1 combined plays per game.
- The Colts have scored 39.5 points over their expectation this season, second to only Miami (54.0 points).
- The Colts are allowing 5.1 scoring plays per game, the second-most in the league.
- 38.5% (10-of-26) of the New Orleans scoring plays have been touchdowns, 30th in the league.
- Colts games are averaging 52.7 combined points per game, the second-most in the league.
- New Orleans games are averaging 37.1 combined points per game, 28th in the league.
- The Colts are ninth in the NFL in points per drive without taking a sack (2.37) but are 32nd in the league in points per drive with a sack (0.18).
- The Saints are allowing 24.5 yards per drive, second in the league.
Trust = spike production for that player
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew: After finishing as the QB22 (13.1 points) and QB22 (9.6 points) in his first two starts this season, Minshew was the QB3 (27.1 points) against a defense that allowed the fewest through five games for any team since 1971.
Minshew threw for 305 yards, anchored by touchdown passes of 59 yards and 75 yards. He then added 29 yards and two touchdowns rushing for good measure.
Minshew was 9-of-13 for 197 yards and a touchdown against the man-heavy Cleveland defense.
Against man coverage this season, Minshew has completed 64.9% of his passes (eighth), for 8.9 yards per pass attempt (fourth) with four touchdowns, one interception, and a 109.5 rating (ninth).
He also has only been sacked on 3.4% of those dropbacks (fourth lowest).
Against zone coverage, Minshew has completed 66.3% of his passes (26th) for 6.7 Y/A (25th) with one touchdown and three interceptions for a 76.1 rating (26th).
He has taken a sack on 9.0% of those dropbacks (26th).
The Saints are playing man coverage at the fourth-highest rate in the league (31.9%).
While that does provide an outlet that could offer more overlooked upside, Minshew made a start against the Saints last season with Shane Steichen and the Eagles offense last year, closing that week as QB17 (12.9 points).
In that game, he was 18-of-32 for 274 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
In a week with no byes, Minshew is tough to get to as a streamer in 1QB leagues, leaving him as a volatile 2QB option with hopes that those small sample splits this season remain sticky.
To continue reading this article
and gain access to The Worksheet and all of Rich's regular content, including positional rankings and chats, click below to purchase our season-long fantasy package or weekly starter stack.
Purchase
