New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints defense struggled to get a single turnover in a playoff loss to the Bucs while giving up 30 points and 316 yards.

Fantasy Impact

The Saints defense allowed Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones to both run well against them. Although they made a few big stops and defended some tough passes, it didn't matter much by night's end. Tom Brady threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns while punching in another touchdown via the ground. The Saints defense typically makes for a high-ceiling option but their penchant for getting into blowouts also makes them a risky one.

New Orleans Saints allowed just nine points and 239 yards to the Bears in a Wild Card week win. They failed to record a single turnover.

Fantasy Impact

Javon Wims beat the defense deep and dropped a perfectly-thrown football that could have given the Bears an extra seven points. The Saints luckily avoided the ten-point threshold as the final touchdown of the game came with no time on the clock requiring the Bears to forego the extra point attempt. As they've done all year, the Saints kept their opponent's rushing game bottled up to just 2.5 yards per carry. Their elite run defense will have their work cut out for them next week against the Bucs.

The New Orleans Saints D/ST surrendered 320 total yards and seven points in Sunday's Week 17 win over the Panthers.

Fantasy Impact

The Saints' defense smothered the Panthers, who had their top two running backs sidelined. While Rodney Smith scored, the Panthers could not get anything going passing. P.J. Walker finished the game over Teddy Bridgewater. The Saints will enter the postseason looking strong.

The New Orleans Saints D/ST surrendered 364 total yards and 33 points in Friday's Week 16 win over the Vikings.

Fantasy Impact

It was a total yards and points bonanza on Christmas, but the Saints' defense played the better game at home. While they sacked Kirk Cousins twice, they did not force a turnover. It was another letdown outing for the Saints D/ST after being one of the hottest fantasy plays of the second half of the year.

The New Orleans Saints D/ST surrendered 411 total yards and 32 points in Sunday's Week 15 loss to Kansas City.

Fantasy Impact

In back-to-back games, the Saints' defense was gashed. Just a few weeks back, they were operating as the best defensive unit in the NFL. They have been exposed by the run last week and the pass this week. The Saints will look to get on track in Week 16 against the Vikings.