Not only should Bijan Robinson play well, I think he leads all
running backs in Week 18. He’s averaged 22 touches per game with
Penix under center and against the league’s worst run defense
(29.5 FPts/G allowed), he should be a workhorse. With Saquon Barkley
sitting and Jahmyr Gibbs against the tough Vikings, Robinson should
only have to outduel Derrick Henry for Week 18 best honors.
James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) could both sit in
Week 18 with nothing to play for leaving Michael Carter a viable
low-end option against the 49ers. Carter saw 15 touches in a low-scoring
Week 17 matchup with the Rams, but the eliminated 49ers rank 28th
in RB fantasy points allowed. He’s worth a flier here.
Irving ranks 20th among running backs for the season, but since
Week 13 he’s improved to 11th averaging 17 FPts/G. The Saints
have allowed a league-high 17 rushing touchdowns this season to
running backs and when the Bucs aren’t feeding Mike Evans,
they will be handing the ball to Irving.
The Lions run defense has been top-five this season, a misleading
statistic because their pass defense has been so bad of late that
sometimes teams forget to run the ball. That could be the case
here too. The Lions are allowing almost 315 passing yards per
game over the last five games and with a majority of the Minnesota
talent wrapped up in pass catchers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison,
Jalen Nailor and T.J. Hockenson, they might forget about Jones.
Pollard won’t be 100% (ankle/flu), but could return here while
his teammate Tyjae Spears will likely miss this one with a concussion.
The Texans are top-10 against opposing running backs. If neither
can start, Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley also are not viable
options.
Jerome Ford was a non-participant in a walkthrough on Tuesday
and has one less day to get ready for a Saturday matchup in Baltimore.
That would make D’onta Foreman the de facto starter. He
hasn’t produced double digits this season and wouldn’t
start here against a top-10 run defense.
