Let's go for Seven: Jonathan Stewart has
six-straight games with at least 20 carries.
Grab a Helmet
Jonathan
Stewart @ DAL (Thu): This one had all the makings of
a “somebody knows something” special when oddsmakers initially
installed the Cowboys as one-point favorites over undefeated Carolina.
You know, the 3-7 Cowboys. Bettors have since moved the line in
Carolina’s favor and though I typically don’t follow the herd,
I think Joe Public’s right in this case. Yes, it’s a short week
and yes, Dallas has the advantage of playing on Thanksgiving every
year. The Panthers, though, look like a buzz saw and are annihilating
opponents in a very repeatable way: great defense, efficient quarterbacking,
and a top five rushing attack. The former Duck (GO DUCKS!) spearheads
that attack and has carried the ball 20 or more times in six straight
games now. I think he gets it at least 20 more carries this Thursday
in a game Carolina could use to kick-start a legit Super Bowl
run.
Antonio
Andrews v. OAK: The Special Lady Friend and I are headed
to Nashville after Thanksgiving to watch my very favorite Oregon
alum play in person. Because I’m afraid my QB-killing superpowers
may extend to Shot Caller recommendations, however, I can’t formally
advise starting Mariota (though, off the record, it doesn’t seem
like a terrible idea). I can, however, recommend one of his teammates.
Word last Thursday was David Cobb would make his professional
debut and possibly wrest the Titans’ lead back role immediately
away from Antonio Andrews. Except nothing of the sort happened.
Cobb ended the night with fewer NFL rushing yards than Special
Lady Friend while Andrews gained 94 total yards on 17 total touches.
He didn’t score against Jacksonville, but I think he’ll find pay
dirt against Oakland. In fact, let’s make it a Shot Caller guarantee
to spice up our Music City getaway: Andrews scores Sunday.
Javorius
Allen @ CLE (Mon): Way back in August, I predicted
Justin Forsett would be a Top 10 dropout, primarily because his
2014 success seemed so anomalous but also because I felt Allen
would eventually press him for carries. Turns out I was right
for the wrong reasons because Forsett’s now gone for good and
Allen will just inherit the carries. How will he perform? It’s
hard to say, really, with Matt Schaub under center and few viable
weapons in the passing game. Then again, Allen does get his first
start against a friendly opponent. Though the Browns have been
better against the run of late, they’re still giving up 138.8
yards per game, good for dead last in the NFL. I can’t think the
Johnny Manziel saga is sharpening the team’s focus any heading
into Monday’s tilt. Sneak Allen into your lineup and he just may
pay huge dividends.
Grab a Gatorade Melvin
Gordon @ JAX: I keep expecting Gordon to make a surprise
splash sometime along the way here and announce (finally) that
he’s arrived despite a trying first year in the bigs. He’s got
great size, game-breaking speed, and probably should have hit
a couple homers by now playing in an offense that features (or,
at least, used to feature) some other good weapons. His longest
run from scrimmage, though, is just 27 yards and he’s averaging
a mere 3.5 per pop, 44th out of 51 qualified backs. Safe to say
that’s not the kinda runner Mike McCoy thought he was getting
when the Chargers made him their first pick in April’s draft?
San Diego’s line has been decimated by injuries and that isn’t
helping, but neither is Gordon. He seems to lack instincts/vision
and no amount of ability can make up for that in the NFL. He keeps
sitting.
DeAngelo
Williams @ SEA: Williams more than capably replacing
Le’Veon Bell in the Steelers backfield has easily been one of
2015’s best storylines. He’s nowhere near Bell’s size and has
way more miles on those legs, but somehow the guy with the pink
hair has managed to average four more points per start than his
much more ballyhooed teammate (20.5 to 16.3). Unfortunately, that
average was dragged down a bit by Week 10’s dud against Cleveland
(6.9 points) and now Williams returns from a bye to face possibly
the best overall run defense in the league. The ‘Hawks are just
5-5 but have the look of a team that could wreak havoc come playoff
time. If they do, that run defense, which is holding opposing
backs to just 12.9 pts/game, will be a big part of the redemption
story. Sit Williams down if you can and wait for better matchups.
LeGarrette
Blount @ DEN: I needed a solid night out of Blount
this past Monday in order to secure a playoff berth and though
it seemed like a longshot on paper, I still went into the game
cautiously optimistic. That’s unusual for me (optimism)
and now I feel like a total dope. Why was I expecting Bill Belichick
to be anything other than what he is, a fantasy dream-killing
machine of the highest order? Blount barely touched the ball after
a handful of fruitless first quarter carries and only salvaged
a horrific performance later in the game with a couple decent
jaunts. Yeah, Buffalo’s defense is stout, but why just abandon
a huge part of your Julian Edelman-less offense because of some
early headwinds? Because you’re Bill Belichick and you can
get away with it and because you couldn’t care less that
I’m now playing in the consolation bracket. Sigh.
