The NFC South has officially become a weekly tug-of-war with the Saints vs. the Bucs this week. Tampa Bay finally stopped the skid last week, keeping its divisional hopes alive as the race tightens across the board. New Orleans, meanwhile, remains scrappy and competitive, exactly the kind of team capable of derailing a rival’s momentum. This matchup carries major playoff implications, both on the field and in fantasy lineups.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — START ’EM
Start: Baker Mayfield, QB
Mayfield should have little trouble attacking the Saints’ secondary, which has allowed too many chunk plays over the past month. He’s settled in nicely with this offense, and with the Bucs pushing for the division, expect a wired-in performance. Pencil him in for 220+ yards and at least one score, a solid floor for fantasy managers needing stability.
Start: Bucky Irving, RB
If he’s healthy, Irving is trending as the clear RB1 in this backfield. His burst was evident last week, and he continues to be involved as both a runner and receiver. The Saints have been vulnerable against backs who can win outside the tackles, which sets up nicely for Irving.
Fantasy Football: Welcome back, Bucky Irving — Tale of the Take, Week 14 – Ray Garvin via Y! Sports
Flex: Chris Godwin, WR
Godwin only saw five targets last week, but looked like his old self when he got the ball. If his usage bumps even slightly, he’s a locked-in flex with upside, especially in a matchup where Tampa Bay should have favorable passing scripts.
Mayfield talks about the impact Evans and Godwin have on the offense via NFL.com
Flex: Emeka Egbuka, WR
Yes, the rookie wall is real… but this is a prime bounce-back spot. Egbuka’s snap share and route participation remain strong, and the Saints can be beaten by precise route runners. If you’ve been waiting for his re-emergence, this is the week to roll with him.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — START ’EM
Start (Emergency/Bye-Week Option): Tyler Shough, QB
Shough has quietly stacked a few respectable outings together and keeps finding the end zone. He’s not a weekly starter, but if your lineup is crushed by byes or injuries, he’s not a bad desperation plug-and-play. The matchup isn’t daunting, and the Bucs have leaned into a pass-friendly approach.
Start: Chris Olave, WR
Olave is as reliable as they come right now. Regardless of game script, he dominates targets and consistently produces. Expect him to once again lead the Saints in receiving and provide WR1/WR2 value. His ceiling remains high in what could be a competitive divisional game.
Flex: Devin Neal, RB
Neal hasn’t had the explosive breakout many anticipated, but his passing-game usage keeps him fantasy relevant. He’s a safer flex than his stat lines may suggest, especially in PPR formats. As long as he continues seeing check-downs and third-down snaps, he remains playable.
Sleeper: Devaughn Vele, WR
Vele erupted last week with a standout performance and could follow it up if the Saints remain aggressive in the passing game. He’s still boom-or-bust, but if you’re fishing for upside in deep leagues, Vele is a strong matchup-based sleeper for Week X.
Final Takeaway
Tampa Bay needs this win to keep pace in the NFC South, and they have the fantasy pieces to deliver. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs playmakers carry strong upside against a Saints defense that has been inconsistent. New Orleans, however, has enough offensive firepower, led by Chris Olave, to keep fantasy lineups relevant across the board.
Expect a competitive divisional clash with plenty of fantasy value on both sides, and don’t be surprised if this one swings late, both in real life and in your fantasy matchup.
