I know the rookie phenom has mostly been a bust this season, barely
registering a fantasy blip the last few weeks. Fumbles, and trouble
in the short game have put Taylor in the doghouse at points this
season, but the fact remains Taylor is the best pure runner in
this backfield from a talent standpoint. The game plan this week
surely revolves around pounding the rock against one of the worst
run defenses in the league. Despite the three-headed nature of
the backfield, Taylor should get goal line work, and the first
opportunity to get the hot hand.
It’s Week 11, so it’s no surprise that teams continue
to be wracked by injuries. The Carolina backfield is the latest,
as Davis and Bridgewater were hurt last week, and McCaffrey is
set to miss his 8th game this season. Davis should be good to
go, and a gimpy Bridgewater should necessitate a game plan that
takes advantage of a Lions run defense bleeding fantasy points
to opposing backs. Davis has been an RB1 in most of his starts
in the place of McCaffrey, and the trend continues this week.
Lock him in as a top-15 option.
Two weeks ago I had Harris in this spot, and I’m graciously
double-dipping. Harris has literally ran away with the primary
ball-carrier job in this backfield, thundering for 121 yards against
a staunch Baltimore defense. He’s been well over 5.0 yards-per-carry
over the last few weeks, and this Houston defense just got plastered
for over 200 yards last week against Cleveland. A few more touchdowns
would be nice to raise the floor a bit, and he’s a literal
zero in the passing game, but the mouthwatering match-up and volume
are undeniable.
Grab Some Pine
Baltimore RBs vs TEN
A hydra is a malignant multi-headed serpent from Ancient Greek
mythology (come for fantasy football, stay for the culture). In
the NFL, it’s the Ravens’ backfield, as it’s trying to kill fantasy
teams. Mark Ingram,
J.K. Dobbins,
and Gus Edwards
are talented backs, but as they have for 90% of the season, they
simply cancel each other out. There was hope Ingram might be phased
out after his injury, or that Dobbins would ascend, but the fact
is that Lamar Jackson remains this team’s RB1 (he seems to keep
the ball on most option plays), and the leftovers are split 3-ways.
If you could start all three, like some gridiron Frankenstein’s
monster, then they would be league winners, but trying to figure
out which guy does the most with their 5-8 touches is nearly impossible.
The Saints have been quietly erasing fantasy running backs all
season, as they have given up the fewest points to that position
in the league. No back has sniffed 100 yards, and only three backs
have scored on the ground. Gurley has been extremely touchdown dependent,
and some of his lowest scoring games come in shootouts, which this
game figures to be. He’s been incredibly consistent with double-digit
points in all but two games, but Brian Hill was really worked in
prior to the bye. In seasonal leagues Gurley is a must start, but
I’d shy away in other formats.
With Mixon still day-to-day with a mysterious foot injury, and
Bernard possibly beyond his shelf life after multiple starts,
this backfield is now a minefield. If Mixon returns, will he be
rusty against a solid Washington run defense? No back has been
very efficient behind this line even during the best of times
and now Samaje Perine even has 20 touches the last two weeks!
There is enough uncertainty here to hope for FLEX value at best.
