Green Bay would like to forget the debacle in San Fran last week,
and with a banged up offensive line, , turning to the run game
could be the salve the Packers need. Williams has come on as a
receiver of late, securing 13 receptions over the last few games
(Jones has 1 for -1 yards), and makes for a strong PPR option.
Jones on the other hand continues to waffle between being a week
winning player (Weeks 2, 5, 8, and 10) and pretty ordinary in
other spots. The G-men are on a 7-game losing streak, and should
be outmatched in all phases of the game, leaving positive game
scripts for this backfield. Find a place in your lineup for both
guys.
It’s taken a rash of injuries to the guys around him, but
Sanders if finally getting RB2 usage. With Howard playing with
a bum shoulder at best this week, Sanders should be able to flash
the ability that made him a high round pick. Miami has given up
the most rushing yards to backfields this season, and the Eagles
would be wise to establish the run game with such an injury ravaged
receiving corps. With double digit rushing totals in in the last
three games, look for Sanders to set a career high this week in
game the Eagles should control from start to finish. A high upside
RB2, Sanders has a chance to be an MVP for fantasy teams making
a playoff push.
After piling up a silly 31 receptions in his first five games,
White has only 18 in his last five, as defenses have made a concerted
effort to shut down the running backs in this passing game. With
receivers unable to win their matchups, the Patriot offense has
stagnated and lost its elite efficiency. So why look to White who
actually had negative points in some leagues last week? Well the
Texans have been an absolute sieve against opposing running backs,
yielding a league worst (best?) 81 receptions to backs. That’s 9
more than the next closest team (Titans), as Houston lacks athletic
linebackers who can cover the flats. Look for the Pats to exploit
this hole, and for White to return to PRR glory... at least for
now.
It’s no coincidence Mixon has seen a surge in his numbers
over the last several weeks with Ryan Finley at quarterback. And
by some miracle, Mixon is still putting up RB2 numbers on a 0-11
team. But with what the passing game gains by the return of Dalton,
the running game loses. The team has scored more than 20 points
only once this season, and the Jets are stone cold killers against
the run, giving up the fewest yards per game in the NFL (78.1).
He might be able to pick up some slack catching the ball, but
I think the value this week comes in the form of Dalton and the
passing game.
What an unsightly mess this
backfield has turned in to. Devolving into a 4-headed monster
of mediocrity, Pittsburgh has been unable to muster a ground assault
with James Conner on the shelf. No back on the roster is a true
gamebreaker, and getting what’s blocked isn’t cutting
it. The Cleveland defense is far from an elite unit, but it’s
anyone’s guess how the backfield touches will be divided
up. Snell got the carries last week, but do things change with
a 3rd stringer at quarterback? There is too much uncertainty to
roll the dice with one of these guys so late in the fantasy season.
Missing the last two games with a foot injury, it’s anyone’s
guess how effective Freeman will be upon his return. What I do
know, is that even when healthy, Freeman has been a mega bust.
With an 88-yard ceiling, and multiple 30-yard floors, the former
stud has yet to score on the ground in 2019. He’ll get enough
receptions to be valuable in PPR leagues, but he’s a serious
gamble in standard leagues. This offense has compiled plenty of
garbage yards, and maybe this is one of those weeks, but Freeman
is a risk with fantasy playoff berths on the line.
