Despite being on the road, this is a good
spot for Crowell to improve upon his 2.6 ypc average.
Grab a Helmet
Isaiah
Crowell @ IND – I know the first couple of weeks have
been frustrating for owners who took their shot with Crowell.
He churned out excellent fantasy numbers the past couple season
despite little fanfare, but has just 103 total yards and zero
touchdowns in two games. Perhaps a matchup with the Colts is just
what he and the Cleveland running game needs to get on track.
Crowell is something of a plodder, and that’s exactly what teams
have done to the Colts piecemeal defensive line – a unit with
no unity, identity or leadership. You’re going to see some Duke
Johnson too, but the first couple down of every series belong
to Crowell and his workmanlike style.
Lamar
Miller @ NE – Miler’s had a couple of boring games
so far (no TDs), but he’s racked up 126 rushing yards and 5-57-0
receiving over the first couple weeks. The Patriots defensive
line has been struggling to stop the run, and don’t look like
the same unit that shut down opponents for years with Vince Wilfork
at the nose. I’m not saying they can’t stop Miller, but there’s
no reason the Texans should limit Miller’s carries and force rooke
Deshaun Watson to throw more than he should. Even if D’Onta Foreman
gets more touches, Houston is in a positon where they need to
hide their QBs and try to win with their ground game and stalwart
defense.
Samaje
Perine v. OAK – It didn’t take long for Rob Kelley
(ribs) to get hurt and give Perine an opportunity to show us all
why he was so enthusiastically lauded during training camp. There’s
a risk that the Raiders jump out to a lead and the Redskins and
their terrible coaches decide to abandon the game plan and throw
15 dump offs to Chris Thompson (which they sometimes do), but
this feels like an opportunity for Washington to grind a bit and
allow Perine’s natural running ability to shine. Check injury
reports later in the week and if Kelley sits, get the rookie in
your lineup.
Grab a Gatorade
Jordan
Howard v. PIT – Let’s face it: Howard owners can’t
be too pleased with the accelerated development of Tarik Cohen
or the shoulder injury that could further impede their early-round
draft pick. Howard practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and
appears to be questionable heading into Week 3, when the Bears
face the Steelers. The Bears have never been truly in love with
Howard and my feeling is that he’ll be out-touched by Cohen, who’s
been willing to do the dirty work and learn the intricacies of
NFL pass blocking – an often-overlooked factor in who’s getting
the crucial carries in big scoring opportunities. Chicago might
also fall behind and be forced to play catch-up with their aerial
attack – a scenario that could limit Howard’s effectiveness and
give Cohen more touches.
Frank
Gore v. CLE – There’s not much to love about the Colts
offense this season, other than Gore’s main rival for carries,
exciting rookie RB Marlon Mack. But it’s likely that Gore owners
will see the Browns on the schedule and assume this is his spot
to resume grinding out big yardage. Not so fast! Cleveland’s defensive
line is showing improvement and the unit as a whole will likely
be fine stacking against the run and forcing Scot Tolzien or Jacoby
Brissett (whomever is under center this week) to air it out. Gore
has been a reliable fantasy contributor long after he was supposed
to have faded away, but without Andrew Luck to move this offense
and free up chunks of the field to timely runs, the 34-year-old
(and likely future Hall-of Famer) could have seen his final gasps
at fantasy usefulness.
Derrick
Henry v. SEA – Just because he’s vaulted past DeMarco
Murray in the consensus rankings (because of Murray’s elevated
injury risk), it doesn’t mean you should rush to start him
against the Seahawks, who aren’t quite themselves but should
still keep the Titans running game in check. You’d be better
sticking with the established skill set of the above RBs and even
guys like Mark Ingram, Theo Riddick and James White – especially
in PPR leagues. There’s going to be a lot of pressure to
start him, given his 92 rushing yards and a TD against a stout
Jags defense. This game however requires a different approach
– since the Titans are going to have trouble overcoming
the Seahawks bounce-back passing attack and may be forced to play
catch-up.
