Listen, I understand the Atlanta run game
has been abysmal to start the year, especially Freeman, who has
mustered all of 54 yards on 19 carries in two games. But I like
this spot for the Atlanta run game this week as they face a defense
that is bleeding fantasy points to running backs, and might be
without the services of all-pro middle linebacker Darious Leonard
due to a concussion. Atlanta desperately needs balance on its
offense, and the game script should favor a more balanced play
calling than the previous two weeks. It’s been a very long
time since Freeman has had a game of significant production, but
I’m digging deep here and banking on this week being one
of them.
Consistently overlooked because of higher profile (and paid) teammates
in the backfield, all Breida does is produce. Following up on a
slate of ridiculous stat-lines from 2018, Breida stepped into the
lineup last week against the Bengals and ripped off 12 carries for
121 yards before sitting most of the 4th quarter. Breida and the
Niners head home for the first time to face off against a reeling
Steeler team that has been shredded by tandem backfields the first
two weeks of the season. Likely to lose touches to Mostert and Jeff
Wilson through the game, Breida is still plenty productive on the
touches he does get, and I love him as an upside RB2 this week.
It’s clear to the world that
Mitchell Trubisky has regressed over the season’s first
two weeks, and it’s time for Chicago to stop fooling around.
This team ran the ball a ton last year to loosen things up for
their quarterback, and give him play action reads that were easier
to execute. Matt Nagy tends to get a little too cute at times
with his playcalling, and I think this is the week they scale
things back and get simpler. Montgomery was mothballed all offseason,
and it’s time to give him feature back carries and playing
time. Washington has played competitive defense at times this
season, but the wheels have typically fallen off in the 2nd half
of games. Montgomery gets 20+ touches and a score in this one,
pushing into high end RB2 territory.
Nick Castellanos leads the Major League baseball
in doubles. What in good golly does this have to do with Joe Mixon?
Well if you hit a double in a major league stadium you would run
a distance of 180 feet. 180 feet is exactly 48 feet MORE than
the total number of feet of yardage Mixon has totaled this season.
I know I went deep there with the measurements (and I hope I didn’t
lose you), but the fact remains Mixon has been a MAJOR disappointment
this season. Drafted as a No.1 back, the former Sooner is currently
the 62nd scoring running back in standard leagues. The Bengal
offensive line is a mess, and they head to Upstate New York to
face a nasty Bills front seven. Seemingly healthy after a Week
1 ankle injury I’m still staying far away from this backfield
for the foreseeable future.
Make no mistake, Jacobs has been as advertised
over the season’s first two games. A two score debut was
followed up by a 12-99 line last week, but there are major red
flags as we enter Week 3. Jacobs has been limited with a hip/groin
issue so far this week, and his status is up in the air for Sunday.
I’m fairly confident he’ll suit up, but the big rub
against him in college was he never endured bellcow workloads.
Aside from being banged up, he’s been losing serious passing
game snaps to Richard and Washington, and this week’s matchup
against the Vikings doesn’t bode well for a two-down back.
There is just too much going against Jacobs this week to trust
him as anything more than a low end RB2
Bell has been a warrior to start the season,
first playing every snap in the Jets opening loss to the Bills,
then serving as the one and only offensive threat in a 31-touch
drubbing Monday night against Cleveland. While the chances have
been plenty and he’s been a PPR darling (his 16 receptions
leads all backs) the production with those touches have not. His
54 touches have yielded only 221 total yards, good for barely
4 yards a touch. This week the Jets are running out a third string
quarterback against the best defense in the NFL...on the road!
The Pats have always made it a point to shut down the opponents’
best player, and frankly Bell is their only player at the moment.
With a historic 21+ point spread, this one could get out of hand
early, and I can easily envision the Jets sitting Bell to save
some wear and tear going into the bye week. In PPR leagues he
remains a must-start, but in standard leagues he’s set to
underwhelm.
