The Commanders are a good, young football team that will feel
as if they have something to prove this week after two consecutive
losses. The Cowboys are a mess and have given up the third most
fantasy points to the position. That bodes well for all skill
position players in Washington including Robinson who will be
pounding the rock between the tackles once Washington secures
the lead. Expect an increase in touches in this game from the
17 he received last week against the Eagles
I am a big believer in the power of bye week rest for NFL running
backs. Especially running backs who rank in the top 12 among running
back carries. Enter James Conner who averaged over 18 touches
a game in Weeks 1-10. Arizona is the NFC West’s surprise team
this season and they’re going to continue to ride Conner for as
long as the veteran can sustain the load. Seattle has allowed
100-yard rushing games to James Cook, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Bijan
Robinson.
Continuing with the theme of running backs fairing well after
bye weeks, we have Tyrone Tracy to consider fresh off his week
of rest. The Giants are not looking for a shoot-out with Baker
Mayfield considering Tommy DeVito is now their quarterback. That
means winning the time-of-possession battle courtesy of Tracy.
516 yards over his last six games suggests Tracy is up to that
task.
Let me preface this by saying that Chuba Hubbard has been outstanding
this season as a playmaker on an otherwise bad offense. He recently
received a three-year contract extension that makes him a priority
in the Panthers offense for years to come. That said, Jonathan
Brooks will be making his debut this week and I suspect he’ll
get 8-10 touches at a minimum. Secondly, expect Kansas City to
stack the box and force Bryce Young into passing situations. It’s
not that I wouldn’t start Hubbard in any circumstance. I
just wouldn’t expect his normal production or even 80% of
it in this particular match-up as the Chiefs have yet to allow
any running back to top 58 rushing yards against them.
Again, the weather in Cleveland doesn’t look good this week,
but even if it did, Najee Harris was underwhelming last week as
Jaylen Warren averaged nearly 5 yards a carry in contrast to the
usual 3.5 (exactly) from Harris. Warren has totaled 29 touches
over the last two weeks and appears to finally be healthy this
season after being hampered by nagging injuries during the first
two months. I would expect an even timeshare here with Harris
being TD-dependent for value.
Clearly, Aaron Jones is playing through a rib injury and while
he’s still able to play, he didn’t even muster 3 yards
per carry last week vs. a Titans rush defense that’s bottom
half in points surrendered to opposing RBs. Maybe Jones enjoys
fast healing this week, but I would suspect a timeshare with Cam
Akers and Ty Johnson is in order. Akers has looked good in limited
duty for Minnesota and earned 12 total touches last week with
greater efficiency than Jones.
