Bye Weeks: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco
Tampa Bay isn't the best matchup but you
can't argue with the workload McFadden has received.
Grab a Helmet
Darren
McFadden @ TB: DMac is back! His availability, not
lack talent has been the limiting factor in his career. The confluence
of health and opportunity has ushered McFadden back into the realm
of starting fantasy running backs. He’s seen his most significant
workload in years the past three weeks (29, 20, and 27 carries)
and remains a factor in the pass game with 9 receptions over the
last three weeks. The Cowboys are going to run McFadden until
the wheels come off, so get in while you can! After producing
against some tough fronts recently, Dallas hits the road in a
must win against the Bucs. Dallas wins this game on the back of
McFadden, not the arm of Cassel. Another 25-plus touches makes
McFadden a bona fide RB1 option this week.
Lamar
Miller vs PHI: While the stink that was briefly shed
by the Dolphins has returned, Miller has continued to be a dominant
fantasy force. Proving to be one of the most versatile backs in
the league, Miller has found his way into the end zone from the
goal line (two 1-yard touchdowns last week), in the air (7 for
97 last week), and on long runs (85 yard touchdown in Week 7).
He’s got the fewest carries by far among the top-5 scoring backs,
and has the 10th most receptions. The versatility and ability
to be effective with fewer chances, gives Miller one of the highest
weekly running back floors in the league. The matchup against
an athletic Philadelphia front seven isn’t ideal, but since the
coaching change this offense is flowing through Miller. Count
him as a high upside RB2.
Mark
Ingram @ WAS: After a hot start to the season, the
Washington run defense has been getting gashed lately. They’ve
given up at least 129 rushing yards to Devonta Freeman, Chris
Ivory, Doug Martin, and LeGarrette Blount the last four weeks,
and sit 14th overall in fantasy points per game allowed to running
backs (19). Ingram has been up and down this season, but remains
a big part of the passing game, and should hog even more touches
with Khiry Robinson done for the year. This could be a sloppy
November game outside on the east coast, so look for 20-plus touches
for Ingram this week, with a great chance to score. Dial him up
as a mid-level RB1.
Grab Some Pine
LeSean
McCoy @ NYJ (THU): Just as he got over the hump of
a long term hamstring injury, and flashed some fancy moves in
his 16-112-1 game last week, McCoy finds himself questionable
again with a shoulder injury. A short week means he’ll have to
play banged up, and rookie running-mate Karlos Williams is outscoring
Shady on about half the amount of touches. Making matters worse
is McCoy’s complete lack of work in the passing game, despite
being on an offense that isn’t exactly oozing with receiving options.
Beat up, and against a ferocious Jets front seven means I want
no part of McCoy this week.
C.J.
Anderson/Ronnie
Hillman v. KC: Trying to figure out which one of these
guys is going to be productive is like trying to win games of
chance at a church carnival. You’re better off saving yourself
the annoyance and going in another direction (or saving yourself
the money and buying some meat on a stick!). One week Hillman
looks like the unquestioned starter, then he goes down with an
injury and Anderson looks effective. They’ve traded off like this
for weeks, and I don’t see it ending any time soon. Kubiak will
continue to give these guys equal work, basically killing their
fantasy value. Start one if you have to, but if you have better
options go with them.
The Lions Backfield @ G.B.:
Bye weeks are for rest and adjustments, not for reinventions and
miracles. Despite a massive shakeup on the sideline and in the
front office, the Lions offense remains a mess with no identity.
They spent an early 2nd round pick on Ameer
Abdullah, and despite flashing big play potential, he has
only 9 total touches in the last two games combined. Joique
Bell spent the summer recovering from injury, and the early
part of the year running in place. He’s shown signs of life the
last two games, rushing for 7.5 ypc on a small sample size of
10 carries. Theo
Riddick, the only Lions back that’s actually produced is a
glorified slot receiver that is no better than a FLEX play. This
game could get out of hand very quickly, meaning game flow favors
Riddick, but until this offense picks a runner and establishes
an identity this is a backfield to avoid entirely.
