In a wacky week, you might consider starting
Cook against the best fantasy defense against RBs.
Grab a Helmet
Dalvin
Cook vs CHI: Since the change in offensive coordinators
the Vikings have truly made Dalvin Cook the focal point of the
offense. He’s averaging 19 touches a game over the last two weeks
in decisive wins over Miami and Detroit. The run game has allowed
play action passes to be more effective and eliminated some of
the game changing mistakes in the passing game. Cook and the Vikings
host the Bears this week in a “win and in” scenario, so I expect
Minnesota to play inspired at home. Teams have had some marginal
success in the 2nd half of the season running on Chicago’s defense
and they may be sitting some defensive starters as well.
Melvin
Gordon @ DEN: In his return from a multi-week knee
injury, Gordon was the only Charger offensive player to contribute
against Baltimore. With the passing game completely bottled up,
Gordon was still able to return fantasy value with 54 total yards
and a touchdown. LAC still has an outside shot at winning the
division so expect this team to go all out in the final regular
season game. Denver’s run defense got absolutely mauled Monday
night against Oakland, and make for a prime “get healthy” spot
for the Chargers offense. Gordon has been as reliable as they
come all year, so don’t hesitate now!
James
Conner/Jaylen
Samuels vs CIN: It looks like Conner is on track to
return after practicing in full on Wednesday. The Steelers have
skewed pass heavy all season and I don’t see that changing much
this week. They really should be able to control this game from
the outset, and I do think both backs will produce in this game.
Samuels has proven his versatility the past few weeks, and barring
a setback, Conner should be fired up to return to form. Conner
might be a bit of a risk for an in-game reinjury, but watch practice
closely this week. It’s all-hands-on-deck for a must-win game.
Conner is a RB2 with upside, and Samuels could be worth a FLEX
start.
Grab Some Pine
Joe
Mixon vs PIT: Try as he might, Mixon just hasn’t been
able to carry this offense by himself. With the starting quarterback,
and both starting receivers gone for the year Mixon is the only
offensive threat and defenses know it. Combine that with the fact
that the Bengal defense puts the team in negative game scripts,
you have a terrible mix of circumstances for the 2nd year back.
By some absolute miracle Mixon has been able to keep up RB1 numbers
for most of the final quarter of the season, but things have caught
up to this offense, and that severely limits his ceiling. Doug
Martin @ KC: Don’t let last Monday night fool you.
Martin has been only a marginal fantasy option for most of the
year, and despite a decent output against the Chiefs the last
time they played, this game is in KC with a lot on the line. The
Raiders played inspired football last week in possibly the last
game in Oakland against a dead in the water Denver team. The Raiders
are ripe for a letdown and despite their recent struggles, the
Chiefs should win this one easily. Martin will need a touchdown
to be relevant, as I don’t think the game script will allow for
much yardage.
Chris
Carson vs ARI: Carson and the Seahawks run game have
been tearing things up as of late, and oddly enough, this is the
reason why I don’t like Carson as a high end option this
week. Despite what Pete Carroll says, Seattle has nothing to gain
in this game, and I honestly don’t expect the starters to
play into the 2nd half. Seattle should be able to build a solid
lead and let rookie Rashaad Penny absorb most of the carries.
Maybe Carson does enough with limited snaps to net some production,
but there are other places to look.
