Bye Weeks: Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Seattle
Jeremy Hill's workload has increased each
week and the Cowboys are giving up 4.8 yards per carry.
Grab a Helmet
Jeremy
Hill @ DAL: The Bengals have struggled mightily to
get the running game going in 2016. Hill has shown flashes, most
notably in Week 3 against the Broncos when he went for 17-97-2.
Hill’s carries have increased each of the first four weeks of
the season, so there is a clear commitment. He carries weekly
touchdown upside, but this week could be the big yardage breakout.
Dallas has done a decent job at containing the running games of
their opponents this season, but Hill and the Bengals represent
the best they’ve faced. His floor can be frightening low due to
an invisible presence in the passing game, but the Bengals should
be able to move the ball giving Hill scoring chances. I think
Hill goes over 100 yards with a score this week, making him a
strong RB2, with RB1 upside.
Jerick
McKinnon vs. HOU: McKinnon looked electric at times
against the Giants stout rush defense Monday night. New York had
held all rushers under 65 yards until McKinnon popped off for
85 yards and a score. Much has been made of Matt Asiata’s role
the last time AP missed time, but McKinnon was a raw rookie then.
He’s got much more experience this time around, and his big play
ability is what this offense will need if they look to open things
up. Houston has been much better against the pass than the run,
so look for McKinnon to be able to find some seams. He only needs
a small crease to take it to the house.
Terrance
West vs. WAS: West made a serious splash last week
against the Raiders, busting the century mark and scoring for
the first time this year. He made noise this pre-season as he
seemed quicker after slimming down. With the rest of the Ravens
backs running in place, West provided a spark. Although exciting
rookie runner Kenneth Dixon is due back this week, West should
dominate carries as they ease the first year pro into action.
West might not be a starting option for long, so strike while
the iron is hot and the Redskins lullaby defense is in town.
Grab Some Pine
Charles
Sims , Jacquizz
Rodgers @ CAR: Another messy timeshare that I want
no part of, Sims and Rodgers combined for a pitiful 21 carries
for 53 yards against Denver a week ago. Neither player excels
between the tackles, and Sims is nursing a low leg injury to boot.
Coach Dirk Koetter has vowed to put more emphasis on the run game
this week, but the offensive line will struggle to get a push
against Carolina’s front seven. Carolina is best attacked through
the air, but that doesn’t exactly give either of these guys enough
upside to risk as starters. Sims has been held under 3 yards per
carry in all but one game this year, and Rodgers has only 13 total
carries.
Darren
Sproles @ DET: Before going off for a six-catch, 128-yard
aberration against the Steelers two weeks ago, Sproles was getting
very little going. He’s still only rushed for 52 yards on 19 carries,
and has 10 catches for the season. With bye weeks in full effect
some fantasy owners are picking up and starting Sproles, and they
are simply chasing points. He’s a solid utility player, and has
a place in PPR FLEX spots, but those in standard leagues have
to seek other options. Ryan Matthews should be back in full force
this week, and will vulture most of the running back carries.
Sproles is essentially competing with a similar version of himself
in Wendell Smallwood, who possesses more long term upside for
the Eagles and fantasy squads.
Lamar
Miller @ MIN: I’m not advocating sitting your likely
early round pick, but Miller has simply been a disappointment
in fantasy this year. He’s getting a tremendous volume,
something we all predicated prior to the season, but surprisingly
has done little with his chances. Among 22 running backs with
48 or more carries on the year, he’s the ONLY one yet to
score a touchdown. Something has to give eventually, as this drought
is ridiculous, but the sledding will remain tough against a nasty
Minnesota defense. They have tremendous linebacker speed from
sideline to sideline, and this limits big plays in the running
game. In fact, the longest rush they’ve given up so far
has been only 17 yards. Listen, Miller has been at or around 100
total yards each of the first four weeks, so he has a fantastic
floor, but it’s all about the touchdowns baby, and I can’t
see Miller hitting enough this week to make him anything more
than an RB2.
