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The streaking New Orleans Saints (6-2), who under head coach Sean Payton will make just their second trip to Western New York, pose a big threat to the Buffalo Bills (5-3) on Sunday. Not much of a sexy off-season pick to make noise in 2017, the Saints started out flat but have since ripped off six straight wins in convincing fashion.
The Saints currently have the sixth highest scoring offense in the league and the ninth stingiest defense. Here are five Saints to keep an eye on against the Bills.
QB Drew Brees
Not much needs to be written about the Saints’ leader. Both those of your father’s generation and today’s fantasy football enthusiasts know just how good the future Hall of Famer is. Brees is having another strong season, currently ranked fifth in the league in total passing yards (2,214) and boasting a touchdown to interception ratio of 13:4. In typical fashion, expect Brees and company to air it out a lot against a Bills secondary that is battling significant injury.
CB Marshon Lattimore
The 11th overall pick of the 2017 draft and the first corner off the board, Lattimore has had quite the start to his career. He’s given up only 52 yards to opposing receivers through seven games and has already notched his first-career pick-six. He’s currently Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked rookie and top cornerback. Look for Lattimore to line up opposite new Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin often on Sunday.
RB Mark Ingram
The seven-year pro has been his dependable self for the Saints in 2017, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. His teammate, highly-touted rookie Alvin Kamara, will contribute in the receiving game, but Ingram remains the team’s workforce on the ground. Ingram could see a heavy load seeing as the New York Jets had a big day rushing against the Bills last week.
DE Cameron Jordan
Jordan will square off with a Bills offensive line who was mainly at fault for Tyrod Taylor being sacked a season-high seven times against the Jets. The two-time Pro Bowler ranks in the top 10 in sacks this season and is New Orleans’ fourth-leading tackler. The Bills were going to have their hands full trying to block Jordan to begin with, but it will be even harder now with Cordy Glenn ruled out for the game.
WR Michael Thomas
Stemming from a connection they developed last season during his his rookie campaign, Thomas has become Brees’ right-hand man. He leads the the Saints in both receptions and yards. Not that he needs it, he’s one of the most accurate QBs in the league, but Thomas provides Brees with a big radius to throw the ball to at 6’3”, 212 pounds. Thomas is currently eighth in receiving yards across the league.