The Bears Workhorse: Jordan Howard has
racked up 45 touches, 295 yards and 1 TD in his last 2 games.
Grab a Helmet
Jordan
Howard v. JAX: The only mystery surrounding the Bears’
shiny new meal ticket these days is why it took Chicago’s shot
callers so long to figure out he’s better than Jeremy Langford.
Like, a lot better. It’s not as if John Fox doesn’t know what
a quality, do-everything back looks like (think DeAngelo Williams),
so it’s a little puzzling he rode the plodding Langford for as
long as he did. In fact, Langford might still be starting if he
hadn’t been hurt a couple weeks back. Thankfully for the Bears,
Howard was ready to roll when the opportunity presented itself
and he has absolutely seized it, tallying almost 300 total yards
in two starts and instantly becoming the centerpiece of a rejuvenated,
albeit work-in-progress-esque, Chicago offense. His ability to
command targets in the passing game really sets him apart in PPR
leagues, as well. Set it and forget it.
Todd
Gurley @ DET: Confession time: I’m not a huge Todd
Gurley fan. In another offense, perhaps, I could totally see the
appeal (would have to be blind not to, actually) and would probably
be scrambling after him on draft day like everybody else. He’s
big, he’s powerful, and he’s fast. That’s the whole package for
a runner in the big leagues. That offense tho.... There’s only
one person opposing teams have to worry about when they play the
Rams and he wears No.30. Know how I know this? Here’s how: because
Todd Gurley is the whole package but is also 39th out of 39 qualified
RBs in yards per carry so far (2.7) and has more carries than
all but two of those other 38 backs. It ain’t sample size, in
other words. It’s a legit problem. He gets one last recommendation
against a crummy Lions-D this Sunday.
Frank
Gore @ HOU: Sometimes that shiny import is running
rough or isn’t performing the way you expect it to (Todd Gurley).
Other times, it’s in the shop, costing you thousands of dollars
in maintenance (Adrian Peterson). It’s times like these when you
appreciate the reliability of that old grocery getter you inherited
from your pops back in the day. You know the one I’m talking about,
the jalopy parked on the side of the garage with the faded dashboard,
rusted-out rocker panels, and coffee-stained upholstery. Frank
Gore is the prototypical daily driver in this, his 12th NFL season.
He touches the ball 15-20 times per game, gains his 75-100 yards,
and frequently scores. Oh, and he rarely gets hurt. There’s a
lot to be said for a guy that can net you a consistent 10-ish
fantasy points/game, especially at a position where attrition
is extremely high. Don’t forget Gore.
Grab a Gatorade
Jeremy
Hill @ NE: I probably shouldn’t kick a man while he’s
down (perhaps literally), but Jeremy Hill doesn’t appear to be
a guy that’s gonna help you much in Week 6. For starters, he’s
not completely healthy and was even seen in a sling at practice
earlier this week. Kinda hard to play running back with your arm
in a sling. Aside from that, Hill remains a touchdown-dependent
RB option who tends to excel only when the Bengals are able to
stake an early lead and spend the better part of the second half
pounding the rock down their opponents’ throats. Raise your hand
if you think the Bengals are gonna do that to Tom Brady and the
Pats this weekend. Cincy got buried early last week in Dallas
and Hill barely touched the football. If that happens again this
weekend, he could adversely affect your fantasy bottom line.
Matt
Jones v. PHI: Jay Gruden announced earlier this week
the Redskins would make an effort to get Rob Kelley more touches
in the coming weeks because he’s proven he deserves them. In case
you’re not fluent in coach speak, here’s what that actually means:
Rob Kelley is going to get more touches in the coming weeks because
Matt Jones has proven he doesn’t deserve them. I’m not sure that’s
really fair to Mr. Jones (how do Kelley’s eight career carries
for 29 yards prove anything?), but it’s not about fairness where
we’re concerned. It’s about who’s likely to help us win fake football
games and, apparently, Jones isn’t likely to do that this week.
Maybe next week or the week after, sure, since Jay Gruden changes
his mind about a lot of things. The moral of the story is this:
Probably best to sit Matt Jones down for now.
Ezekiel
Elliott @ GB: S-T-O-P! Don’t send that hate mail or
post a nasty comment down below. I’m not suggesting you
actually bench Zeke. I’m not that daft, folks. I’m
asking only that you temper expectations slightly in this, his
sixth professional game. He’s good, yes. I told you back
in August he would be and I wasn’t even remotely a lone
wolf. This Week 6 matchup at Lambeau will be his sternest test
yet, however, and I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll need
to score to make it worth your while. In four games, the Pack
have given up only 171 rushing yards and a microscopic 2.0 yards/carry.
At that rate, they’ll break the record for fewest rushing
yards allowed in a 16-game NFL season (Pittsburgh in 1982). I
watched them stonewall the best in the biz (AD) with my own two
eyes in Week 2, so…consider yourself warned.
