Swift and the Philly run game should have no trouble racking
up fantasy points against the worst defense at the position. Arizona
has given up at least 95 yards rushing to a starting back in five
of the last six games. Despite what many thought would be a committee
backfield, Swift has clearly been the RB1, and has seen a strong
38 attempts the last two weeks. Volume, matchup, and talent make
Swift a potent start.
While not flashy or efficient, Elliott has been an absolute workhorse
for the Pats since Stevenson went down. In his last four games,
Elliott has touched the ball an insane 87 times, including 24
receptions. Consistent volume and PPR value is what kept Stevenson
in lineups, and this formula has worked for Elliott, so keep rolling
him out as a reliable FLEX.
Taylor’s performance didn’t pop off the page in his
return from a thumb injury last week (18-43-1), but the whole
Colt offense struggled to get anything going against the Falcons.
With another week to heal, Taylor should again dominate touches
against a Vegas defense giving up the 11th most rushing yards
in the NFL. It’s been a long year for Taylor owners, but
the payoff could be worth it.
With the Bengals making a concerted effort to get rookie Chase
Brown more involved, Mixon’s once unsinkable volume share has
taken on water. His 22 rushes the last two weeks represent the
lowest two-game total in several years, and only some goal-line
scores have salvaged his fantasy day. A stable, but uninspiring
RB2 season is suddenly very shaky in fantasy’s most important
week.
Editor's Note:
Chris Rodriquez has been placed on IR and will not play. Antonio
Gibson would be in a lead back role if Brian Robinson (hamstring)
doesn't play.
Two scores last week in a near comeback win against the Jets
might have you thinking of rolling with the rookie this week,
but I’d only do so in dire circumstances. In eight appearances
this season Rodriguez has only two targets, and the potential
return of Brian Robinson Jr. also complicates matters. San Francisco
has yielded the third fewest rushing yards on the season, and
negative game script won’t favor the rookie assuming he’s cleared
from his ankle injury.
Bears RBs vs ATL
This backfield has been a three-man headache for most of the
season. After being nearly invisible for a month, Khalil
Herbert busted out for a season high 112 yards and a touchdown
on 20 rushes. Was that only because D’Onta
Foreman missed the game due to personal reasons? Will he return
to carry the ball 15 times? Will rookie Roschon
Johnson continue to play 2nd fiddle to both of those vets?
This entire backfield is a risk in a week you really don’t want
one.
