Thursday fantasy flier, Week 12: Mark Ingram

WARNING: This week's fantasy recommendation expires at 11:59 pm ET on Thursday, firm. The author does not — repeat: DOES NOT — endorse the use of Mark Ingram beyond Week 12. His schedule takes a brutal turn. In Weeks 13-16, Ingram will face Seattle once (on the road) and Carolina twice. Thus, Ingram is simply a single-serving fantasy add. There is zero value here beyond the current week.

But for one night only, this kid can help...

RB Mark Ingram, NO (24 percent owned) – Atlanta's defense hasn't stopped a thing in recent weeks, as you might have noticed. No defense has allowed more total yards to opposing running backs over its last three games (565). The Falcons just gave up 167 scrimmage yards to Bobby Rainey on Sunday, and 161 to Marshawn Lynch the previous week. If Thursday's matchup with New Orleans goes according to script — the Saints are a 9.5-point road favorite — then both Ingram and Pierre Thomas should deliver useful fantasy lines. Ingram figures to see plenty of run-down-the-clock work in the second half against Atlanta, as he did in the Dallas game when he rushed for a career-high 145 yards. He's a player who needs a very specific set of conditions in order to assist fantasy owners; those conditions should exist in Week 12.

And then you should toss Ingram on the discard pile, because, again, his schedule gets messy. We're talking about a committee back who averaged 3.9 yards per carry in each of his first two NFL seasons. Don't get too attached.

Add, start, eject.