Through five weeks with a 5.8 ypc, Phillip
Lindsay has proven to be the best Broncos running back.
Grab a Helmet
Phillip
Lindsay v. LAR: Denver is in a seeming death spiral
after a 34-16 shellacking in Gotham, but it doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to figure out how they could pull out of it. The Broncos
are averaging 5.6 yards per rush through five weeks. If they’re
still averaging that at the end of the season, it’ll be the best
team mark since (get this) 1963! Cleveland averaged 5.7 yards
per tote that season thanks mostly to a guy by the name of Jim
Brown, only the greatest RB to ever play the game. It makes sense
to me you’d want to do things you’re good at more often, but to
date, Denver’s ranked only a middling 17th in rushing attempts.
Hmmm. Anyone else thinking Vance Joseph might wanna start dusting
off his resume? I only own Royce Freeman (GO DUCKS!!!), but Lindsay’s
getting more consistent touches. Start him Sunday.
James
White v. KC: Pundits are pushing Sony Michel as the
back to own in New England these days, especially now that injuries
to Jeremy Hill and Rex Burkhead have cleared the way for the 1st-round
pick to receive most of the running back carries. Well, he’s certainly
A back to own in New England, but is he THE back? The multi-talented
White has received just 10 carries to Michel’s 43 the last two
weeks, but has still somehow managed to outscore his teammate
36.9 to 34.2 in standard scoring leagues. The disparity is even
more drastic in PPR leagues (54.9 to 35.2). White’s passing game
chops make him, pound-for-pound, the most efficient scorer at
the RB position, a fact Bill Belichick, unlike Vance Joseph, would
never fail to notice. Even with a healthy Gronk, a reinstated
Edelman, and a newly added Josh Gordon, James White stays very
relevant.
Aaron
Jones v. SF (Mon): I touted Jones two weeks back and
he obliged with a mini-breakout of sorts, scoring 14.2 points
as Green Bay waxed Buffalo 22-0. Naturally, he followed up that
performance with a 5.9-point dud in Motown. Mike McCarthy’s stubborn
resistance to giving him more run is going to frustrate us the
rest of the way, I’m afraid (barring an injury to Jamaal Williams),
but at least his usage is becoming somewhat predictable. When
the Pack’s playing from out front, he’s a worthwhile RB2 or flex
option thanks to an elite 6.1 YPC mark. When they’re playing from
behind, Coach Mac is more apt to roll with Williams, the more
reliable pass blocker, and/or Ty Montgomery, a better receiver.
Now, you just have to figure out how games involving Green Bay
are gonna play out. Here’s my guess for Monday night: We’ll see
plenty of Mr. Jones.
Grab a Gatorade
Derrick
Henry v. BAL: When DeMarco Murray abruptly retired
this past offseason, it seemed like Henry was finally going to
take over the bell cow role many, myself included, thought he
deserved. Needless to say, he hasn’t exactly seized this career
opportunity. Through five weeks of action, Henry is ranked 53rd
at the position behind every one of those aforementioned Packer
backs (even Ty Montgomery), Kyle Juszczyk (who has exactly one
carry this season), Jalen Richard (really?), and his own teammate,
Dion Lewis. What did we miss here, folks? Well, Henry doesn’t
contribute in the passing game, meaning every time he’s on the
field, he’s essentially advertising running play. Moreover, he’s
not sudden or nimble enough to make people miss, meaning he has
to run through them. That’s hard to do in the NFL and it all adds
up to 3.4 YPC, no TDs, and a guy you should avoid.
Alex
Collins @ TEN: An even more obvious reason to sit Henry
down this Sunday? He faces the Ravens, a team very much living
up to its reputation as a stout defensive outfit. Not to be outdone,
the Titans have bottled up all comers in 2018 too and are the
only team not to have surrendered a single touchdown to an opposing
RB thus far. That spells trouble for Collins, a modest workload
RB1 who relies on six-pointers to boost his fantasy appeal. He’s
only gained 217 yards on the ground this season, which ranks 27th
and places him right behind the guy we just talked about. And
no, he’s not making it up as a receiver (34th in RB receiving
yards). If you think Baltimore will control time of possession
and grind Tennessee into submission, great. I don’t, especially
not in Nashville, meaning Collins is a hard “no” Sunday.
Kenyan
Drake v. CHI: It was nice to see Drake get something
going in Week 5, but if you’re thinking this momentum could
carry over into Week 6, allow me to rain on your parade. First,
he needed seven receptions to out-touch Frank Gore who, for the
third consecutive week, garnered more rushing attempts (double
this time). Second, the Miami offensive line is a shambles right
now as only two opening day starters are for sure playing this
Sunday. Third, that patchwork offensive line has to deal with
a well-rested Chicago front that has absolutely feasted on opposing
rushers this season (a league-low 8.9 points/game yielded to the
position). Finally, that well-rested Chicago front has also allowed
a league-low 13 receptions to opposing backs, meaning the only
thing Drake’s doing well right now is the one thing his
opponents seem to be especially good at stopping. Sounds like
trouble, folks.
