Two weeks in, and this Bengal offense looks like
a shell of its former self, but it’s easy to forget that most
of the skill players are still developing, and the offensive line
is taking time to gel with nearly no preseason snaps as an offensive
unit. Although he hasn’t produced much (he was volume dependent
last year as well), Mixon does lead all backs with 56 touches
in two games, so the floor has been established. The Jets struggled
mightily to stop Chubb and Hunt last week, so it makes sense for
Cinci to try to take some pressure off Burrow by staking claim
to the line of scrimmage in the run game. 100+ total yards and
a score put Mixon in RB1 territory.
Philly has picked up where they left off in 2021 by mauling people
in the run game, and Sanders has helped lead the way. Despite
Gainwell and Scott getting consistent playtime, Sanders leads
this trio in rushing attempts by a wide margin (30-5-8), and really
only has his own quarterback to blame for vulturing touchdowns
on the ground. Washington is yielding the 2nd most fantasy points
to backs, and the 6th most rushing yard (238). Another check in
the box for Sanders? His best game of 2021 came in Week 15 against
these same Commanders when he tallied 131 yards on the ground
on only 18 carries.
Like the rest of the team, a dreary pall hangs over Henry. A
gut-wrenching loss to the Giants in Week 1 was followed by an
undressing by the Bills on Monday night. The loser of this game
is looking at an incredibly difficult uphill battle to stay playoff
relevant, so it’s paramount the Titans get Henry going this
week. Game script should be much more neutral against a middle
of the pack Vegas offense.
It’s not the matchup I don’t like, it’s the
rotation of Penny and Walker that I just don’t feel comfortable
with. Both backs were terrible last week at San Fran, and it seems
after resorting to playground trickery to try and move the ball,
the Seattle coaches may just have to trust Geno Smith more this
week. Walker eventually takes over this timeshare, but until then
this could be an even 50-50 backfield, and on a bad team with
many negative game scripts on the way, I’m going to look
elsewhere.
Another backfield I want to avoid this week is in Miami. Both
Mostert and Edmonds are replacement level players stuck in an
unknown timeshare, on a seemingly pass-first offense. Coach Mike
McDaniel has the horses to throw early and often, and attacking
a banged-up Buffalo secondary has to be in the gameplan. The Fins
might have no choice but to try and beat the Bills at their own
game, and that won’t include enough touches to trust either
one of these guys.
Touchdown dependent, and with a seemingly diminished role in
the passing game, it’s simply too hard to trust Jacobs this
week against a desperate Titans team. After watching the Titans
get carved like a Christmas goose on national television, look
for the Silver and Black to employ a pass-centric game plan leaving
Jacobs as a score or bust option.
