24 RBs are averaging double-digit fantasy
points. Eddie Lacy isn't one of them. A breakout is coming.
Grab a Helmet
Eddie
Lacy v SD: If you are a Lacy owner you certainly didn’t
expect him to be ranked 30th in fantasy scoring after the first
five weeks of the season. But there he sits nestled among Thomas
Rawls and Shane Vereen. Slowed by injury in Weeks 3 and 4, Lacy
hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1 and has yet to reach 100
total yards in a game this season. The loss of Jordy Nelson has
virtually eliminated the big play element to the Packer’s offense,
and defenses have figured it out. Defenses with the scheme and
talent can hold the Packers in check, but fortunately for Lacy
owners, San Diego isn’t one of them. The Chargers are simply getting
gashed on the ground, yielding 5.1 yards per carry and giving
up a league high 8 rushing touchdowns. They have to come east
on a short week, and I see the Packers trying to establish Lacy
and the run game early. Remember, Lacy had a slow start last year
before turning it on. This could be the week Lacy owners have
been waiting for, so don’t miss it!
Lamar
Miller @ TEN: No, it’s not a typo. Lamar Miller is
grabbing a helmet. The most dysfunctional team in football takes
the field in Week 6 after a rare in-season coaching change. I
have no idea if this team will respond, or go in the toilet, but
there is too much talent on this offense for things to be this
bad. Star left tackle Brandon Albert will be back, helping to
solidify the offensive line. If Dan Campbell is serious about
setting a tone for this team, Miller should get a chance to carry
the ball more than the 9 times a game he’s averaging now. Look
for a season high in touches for Miller, and the Dolphins to show
signs of life against a Titans team that can be susceptible to
ground attacks. An RB2 finish is possible.
C.J.
Anderson/Ronnie
Hillman @ CLE: While planning this week’s SCR, I had
Melvin Gordon in this slot. But then I watched the train wreck
that is the San Diego offensive line lose two more players in
Monday night’s game. So of course I made it easy on myself and
switched over to the juggernaut that is the Denver run game right?
Ha! Hutchins hasn’t built the SRC on easy calls, so I’d be remiss
if I didn’t take a risk in this spot. Anderson and Hillman headline
one of the least effective running games in the league this year,
but if Denver can’t run the ball against the ghastly run defense
of the Browns it’s over! Hillman might be nursing a hamstring
injury, so keep an eye on practice reports, but it’s now or never
for these Bronco runners, so get them in your line-up.
Grab Some Pine
Mark
Ingram v. ATL (THU): You know that guy that hides on
the porch pretending to be a scarecrow, and you watch him scare
the bejesus out of people when they come to get candy? Part of
you wants to laugh out loud, and parts of you want to punch him
in the face. This is how I feel about the Saints offense and Mark
Ingram. This team, despite undergoing a transformation in offensive
personnel, still is trying to play like the high flying passing
team of yore. Ingram had 53 career receptions coming into the
year, and is on pace to eclipse that total for the season by Week
11! Despite being the bell cow, Ingram has failed to top 17 carries
in a game this year, and game flow usually eliminates the threat
of the running game early. Maybe Sean Peyton decides this is the
week to protect Drew Brees from himself and establish a run game,
or maybe he just throws the ball around the field like usual.
Atlanta sports the league’s best run defense (78.4 yards per game)
and I just don’t have confidence in the Saints ability to sustain
drives. Go trick or treating at another house this week.
Carlos
Hyde v. BAL: The good news: In two games this year
Hyde has finished with RB1 stats. The bad news: in the other three
games he’s been barely a FLEX play. The Niners run game success
is largely match-up dependent, and despite their struggles in
the secondary, the Baltimore defense remains incredibly strong
vs. the run, giving up only 3.8 yards per carry. The Niners could
go pass heavy in the hope to keep Kaepernick on a roll and to
take advantage of match-ups down the field. Hyde might be good
for a short yardage touchdown, but a big yardage day would be
a surprise, so temper your expectations.
Rashad
Jennings/Andre
Williams @ PHI: I picked a pair of teammates to close
out my helmet grabbers, so it only makes sense to close out our
running back section with a pair of teammates to grab some pine.
Touches for these two have been extremely erratic, and other than
a fluky screen pass touchdown by Jennings, neither player has
made any splash plays. They’ve combined for only 2 total
touchdowns, and zero games above 50 yards. With Vereen, this three-headed
backfield is nearly as big of a headache inducing as the one in
the Music City. The matchup on the road against an aggressive
Eagles defense seems to favor the shiftier Vereen, but it’s
really anyone’s guess. Avoid the agita of this backfield.
