More of the same? Joe Mixon received a
season-high 31 touches last week against the Chargers.
Grab a Helmet
Joe
Mixon vs OAK: Quietly putting up RB1 numbers despite
missing two games, Mixon has been a workhorse for the Bengals
offense since the loss of Dalton and Green. Mixon was all that
and a bag a chips last week, putting the entire team on his back
on the way to the tune of 138 yards on 31 touches and a score.
Putting up decent yardage totals despite a host of negative game
scripts, the Bengals host an Oakland defense that has given up
the 2nd most rushing yards to backs this season. This should be
a close game throughout and the Bengals will benefit by being
at home. Look for Cinci to feed Mixon upwards of 25+ touches,
and with a great chance to find the endzone, Mixon has the opportunity
for top end RB1 stats and a big boost in the fantasy playoffs.
Nick
Chubb @ DEN: The Browns passed on a different Chubb
in the 1st round, but it’s a good thing they didn’t in the 2nd
round as Nick has given this offense a dimension that must be
respected, and has given fantasy owners a surprise boost in the
2nd half of the season. Chub has scored in 6 of his last 7 games,
(including the last 5 straight) and has 8 scores since Week 7.
Although the yardage totals and the per-carry average haven’t
been great, Chubb has found a way to produce in the air, coming
up with 13 receptions over his last four games. The usage in the
passing game has made Chubb a factor in PPR leagues, and if he
continues to find the endzone with this regularity, he’ll find
himself in the championship game of many a fantasy league. Denver
seems to give up giant games to players on a near weekly basis,
and I think Cleveland should be able to move the ball. Fire Chubb
up as an upside RB2.
Damien
Williams vs LAC (THU): Since kicking Kareem Hunt to
the curb two weeks ago, Spencer Ware and Williams have combined
to try and soak up the production. Ware has missed some practice
early this week, and looks to be extremely doubtful to suit up.
He was spelled by Williams more than once against the Ravens,
and the former Dolphin made the most of it, touching the ball
13 times, and finding the endone twice. There is a good chance
Williams splits some time with newly signed Charcandrick West,
but I’m more than happy to stack running backs on teams that score
40 points, especially since the Kansas City pass receivers are
banged up. The Chargers are susceptible to the run (see last week
against Cinci), and I think Williams gets the ball enough to be
a passable RB2/high end FLEX.
Grab Some Pine
Marlon
Mack vs DAL: Mack’s greatest assets are his combination
of speed and acceleration. He’s got a tendency to try and make
too much happen, bouncing runs outside instead of getting the
tough yards. Unfortunately for Mack and the Colts, this is a personnel
mismatch, as Dallas relies on some of the fastest and most athletic
linebackers in the league to cut runners off before they can hit
the cutback lanes. Jacksonville and Miami, two teams with disruptive
d-lines and backers have made life miserable for the Colts running
game the past two weeks. With near zero value in the passing game,
Mack has been a score or bust player for most of the year. Mack
hasn't had a difference making fantasy performance since Week
8, and hasn’t built up enough cache to be trusted in a spot like
this.
Josh
Adams @ LAR: Adams’ gruesome performance last week
was more of play calling and the elite Dallas defense. Despite
running for 30 yards on the 1st series, Adams failed to touch
the ball until the 3rd quarter, as Philly once again went pass-happy.
The Eagles are a mess on offense, and can’t seem to consistently
get into running downs enough. Since Adams gets replaced on 3rd
downs, he’s become a one-dimensional back on a team that simply
can’t or won’t run the ball. The Rams can actually be run on,
but I think Philly will be working from behind this entire game,
and Adams has a scary low floor when he doesn’t get 15+ touches.
Adrian
Peterson @ JAX: I actually feel really bad for Peterson.
Having a resurgent season until the Washington voodoo doll was
crushed, stabbed, and then set on fire, AP has seen the sledding
get mighty tough lately. Outside of a fluky 90-yard run against
the Giants, Peterson has struggled in recent weeks as the offense
has collapsed. They aren’t able to get him many touches
in the red zone, and with all the injuries to the line, the running
lanes have disappeared. The threat of Josh Johnson’s legs
might open things up a little, but Jacksonville is sure to be
grumpy after getting dogged on Thursday night against the Titans.
