Bye Weeks: Philadelphia, Tampa Bay

Andre Ellington matches up against a Raiders defense giving up the fifth-most FPts to running backs.

Grab a Helmet

Andre Ellington v. OAK: Other than a monster game in Week 5 against Denver, Ellington has been mediocre. Still bothered by a food injury that he continues to play through, the big play back has been held to less than 4.0 yards per carry in three of his five starts. So while the numbers say steer clear, my gut says Ellington could break out, and it just might be this week as the Cardinals travel to take on Oakland. Surrendering the second-most yards per game (149.8), the Raiders can be beaten on the ground. Look for Arians to establish Ellington early in this game as Carson Palmer continues to work off the rust of his shoulder injury. Ellington is a good bet to find the end zone for only the third time this year, and pop off a big run or two. Start him as a RB2 with confidence, and hope for more.

Eddie Lacy v. CAR: Let’s face facts, Lacy has severely underperformed his draft position (as have several other high profile backs) and is in a suddenly murky time-share with James Starks. Lacy has had the unfortunate task of running against multiple top-10 run defenses so far this year, and in the one game he faced a softer foe, he ripped off by far his best game of the season. Well guess what, another cream puff visits Lambeau in the form of the Carolina Panthers, giving up the second-most fantasy points to running backs. No longer winning at the line of scrimmage, Carolina generates little penetration and is yielding a league worst 5.5 yards per carry. The Packers offense clicks best when Lacy gets going and they have an effective play action game. Look for the Pack to run to set up the pass, and for Lacy to benefit from running lanes. Get him in your line-ups as a strong RB1 play.

Isaiah Crowell @ JAX: Huge miss in this slot with Chris Ivory last week. But I want to take a risk and go deep with this one, because picking Matt Forte is too easy! Crowell the highly touted UDFA from Alabama State has carved out quite a role on the Cleveland offense. With third-round pick Terrance West a healthy scratch last week, it seems as though Crowell has a lock on the No.2 RB job in Cleveland. Crowell rushed for 77 yards on 11 carries and scored his 4th touchdown of the season last week vs Pittsburgh. He has at least 11 carries in three games this year, and on a run heavy offense, look for those numbers to remain. Cleveland wants to get a lead and protect it, so Crowell’s talent and opportunity make him a very intriguing high-upside FLEX play or fringe RB2.

Grab Some Pine

Matt Asiata/Jerick McKinnon @ BUF: Until further notice, sit your running backs vs Buffalo. The Bill’s front 4 dominates at the line of scrimmage, as they give up only 2.8 ypc, and have yet to yield a SINGLE rushing touchdown on the season. McKinnon seems to have passed up Asiata on the running back pecking order for carries, but is still a raw runner who relies more on physical ability than experience. And don’t forget how brutal of a pass protector he is. Asiata is plodder who gets buried against defenses that are strong at the point of attack. The sledding will be tough for all Viking’s offensive players, and while McKinnon is a threat to take it to the house on any play, he’s too big of a gamble to trust as a starter this week.

Toby Gerhart v. CLE: Like Julius Thomas so eloquently exclaimed last week, “This is too easy!” I can’t possibly break the streak and remove him from this spot. Not only does it make me look good (for now), but we all need some things we can count on in fantasy football. Sitting Gerhart is one of those things.

Frank Gore @ DEN: As a 49er fan this game makes me very nervous. The Niner defense has done a good job patching themselves together and playing good football, but Manning can and will exploit the patchwork second level, especially if Patrick Willis misses this game. Gore is an afterthought in the passing game (4 catches on 6 targets), and the Broncos are one of the best teams in the league against the run. The 49ers may not have long to set up their running game, and if they can’t keep it close, Gore losses any potential RB2 value. If you have higher upside options at running back, consider sitting Gore this week.

Wide Receivers