The Seahawks run defense has been non-existent all season (ranked
31st allowing 29.3 FPts/G), but even worse since Week 11 (39.3).
Both McKinnon and Pacheco are in the top-20 over that same span
with McKinnon leading the way averaging 17.5 FPts/G and Pacheco
at 13.1. Both players can be started in Week 16.
The Cardinals have forgotten how to play the run of late, allowing
an average of 30.5 FPts/G since Week 11 versus 23.6 over their
first 10 games. This opens things up for Fournette and Rachaad
White. I like the veteran here because at crunch time, with the
division title on the line, Tom Brady will go to him more often
than the rookie.
The Dolphins run defense has been a weak point for most of the
season (ranked 23rd) and in particular, their defense of pass-receiving
running backs is horrible. They have allowed a league-worst seven
touchdowns to receiving backs to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns
and those 17 touchdowns by backs ranks 31st. Jones is a great
pass-catching back having produced a 52-364-5 line receiving through
14 games to go along with 181-937-2 on the ground.
Foreman and Hubbard have shared duties of late though both guys
were simply ugly last weekend. Foreman has seen at least 20 carries
in three of the last five games, but Hubbard saw a 63%-30% snap
advantage against the Steelers. Most teams attack the Lions through
the air, not on the ground.
The 49ers run defense is first in fewest yards allowed (803),
second in rushing touchdowns (5), and tied for first in fewest
pass-receiving TDs to backs (0). They allow an average of 16.9
FPts/G to the entire opposing running back room, so there isn't
much to share among Robinson and Antonio Gibson. Stay away.
The Panthers’ run defense has stepped it up since Week
11 allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing backs
(15.7 FPts/G). In particular, they are allowing almost nothing
to opposing pass-catching backs (a combined 13-45-0 over the last
four games) and that’s Swift’s specialty. Swift hasn’t
cracked 63 rushing yards since Week 1.
