Since Week 10, Pacheco has clearly been the Chief’s preferred
rusher, as he’s seen 13+ carries in each game, responding
with a 4.8 yards-per-carry average and scoring twice. Houston
has been shockingly effective against the pass this season, but
that just might be because their rush defense is so bad. Game
script and matchup favor an 18+ touch floor for the rookie.
Despite showing obvious signs he’s still working back from
that ACL tear last season, Dobbins burst into the limelight with
a 15-120-1 line last week against the Steelers. That 8 yards-per-carry
average was reminiscent of his rookie season, and Dobbins looks
primed to be a fantasy factor as the playoffs approach. With the
Ravens potentially starting a rookie 3rd stringer at quarterback,
look for Baltimore to rely heavily on the ground a game against
a ghastly Cleveland rushing defense.
Several weeks away from a hobbling ankle injury, Taylor is fresh
off a late season bye, and could be ready to carry teams in the
fantasy playoffs. The Vikings are very ordinary on defense and
the Colts best hope is to ride Taylor to 25+ carries and keep
the explosive Viking offense off the field. After scoring 20 times
in 2021, Taylor has only found the endzone four times this season.
Expect that to rise by a few this week.
It looks like Kenneth Walker is a go against the Niners Thursday
night, as he was removed from the injury report, but will he be
healthy enough to shake it off Taylor Swift style against the
league’s best defense? You probably are sniffing around
a playoff spot because of Walker, so you have to start him, but
before getting injured in Week 13, he had games of 17 and 26 yards
against bottom tier defenses. With no consistent work in the passing
game, Walker is another shaky floor guy in Week 15.
Etienne’s efficiency numbers and carry count have dropped
off a cliff in recent weeks. Since week 10 he hasn’t sniffed
100 total yards and has failed to find the end zone since Week
9. The chances in the pass game have failed to materialize all
season, as his 23 receptions rank 28th among backs just below
Derrick Henry. Maybe the rookie wall is hitting him in year two,
but whatever the reason, Etienne suddenly has a shaky floor.
Deja’vu! Two weeks ago, I had Barkley in this same spot
against the Commanders as he struggled to a 23 touch, 81-yard
game, salvaging his fantasy day with a short touchdown in the
2nd half. While 81 yards and a score would be a great RB2 day,
Barkley has set a high bar this season, and has struggled to match
those early season numbers down the stretch. As the schedule has
stiffened, the Giants have wilted, and the going should be tough
again this week against Washington.
