Bye Weeks: Green Bay, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Seattle
Kerryon Johnson: Is this the week Detroit
gives their best running back the lion's share of the carries?
Grab a Helmet
David
Johnson vs DEN (Thu): In allowing Todd Gurley to rush
for 200+ yards last week Denver became the first team in NFL history
to allow back-to-back 200 yard rushers. What was once a strength
has become a crippling weakness for a 2-4 team. Can Johnson, the
struggling and underused former fantasy stud drink from the same
fountain of plenty? It’s unlikely Johnson will make it three rushers
in a row, but until Denver actually stops someone, I’ll keep trotting
out running backs against them. Johnson is a talented back stuck
on a bad team, led by a rookie quarterback, but if there was ever
a matchup to exploit, it HAS to be this week.
Kerryon
Johnson @ MIA: I’m really hoping the Lions’ coaching
staff watched lots of tape over the bye week, because they’ll
see that this offense flows a heck of a lot more effectively when
Johnson is in the backfield. His ability as a runner and receiver
make the offense less predictable, and he’s been by far the most
explosive player in the backfield rotation. Averaging over 6 yards
per carry over his last three games, it’s a crime he hasn't touched
the ball 20 times in a game yet. The Lions can and should be able
to control the clock against a Dolphin defense giving up the 5th
most fantasy points to running backs. Blount vulturing touchdowns
and Riddick siphoning off receptions is still an issue, but I
like Johnson as a sneaky RB2 play this week.
Peyton
Barber vs CLE: For all the props the Cleveland pass
defense has gotten this year, they’ve been quietly dreadful against
the run. They have surrendered the 4th most rushing yards in the
NFL, and were absolutely gashed last week by Melvin Gordon. Barber
is no Pro Bowler, but he’s still been effective in games that
haven’t been blowouts, as last week he had a season high 84 yards
on only 13 carries. With some big time fantasy runners on byes
this week, I like to seek out positive match-ups from my fill-ins,
and Barber’s matchup this week qualifies.
Grab Some Pine
Isaiah
Crowell vs MIN: It’s been a feast or famine type season
for Crowell thus far. He’s had three RB1 weeks, only to follow
those up with disasters. The Jets have run the ball better lately,
but I think that's a measure of their competition rather than
their actual improvement. Minnesota seems to have righted the
listing defensive ship as they held down the Cardinals and David
Johnson last week. Crowell is banged up and has been a zero in
the passing game, making him a very low floor guy when he doesn’t
find the end zone. I don’t think the yards will be there this
week against the Vikings, and hoping for touchdowns is always
a risky proposition.
Dion
Lewis vs LAC (London): The Titans offense was historically
bad last week in a 21-0 loss to the Ravens. They’ve only surpassed
20 points in a game once this year and have been possibly the
biggest underachieving offense in the NFL. Lewis has seen some
high usage weeks, but this offense simply can’t get into the red
zone and a smattering of inconsistent yards isn’t going to make
Lewis even a marginal FLEX play. The Titans desperately need to
play a defense they can bully, and that’s not happening this week
against the Chargers. Until the match-ups improve or this team
figures things out on offense, it’s tough to trust anyone in a
Tennessee jersey.
Tevin
Coleman vs NYG: Coleman owners should be drooling after
learning that 1A starter Devonta Freeman is essentially out for
the season. But while Coleman has flashed RB1 skills and numbers
as the starter prior to 2018, this season he’s been a giant
disappointment. Rookie third-stringer Ito Smith has scored more
touchdowns on the ground and has at times looked like an equally
talented player. The normally explosive Coleman has topped 100
yards only once all year, and sports a plodding 3.7 yards per
carry average. Unfortunately for all the Atlanta backs, game scripts
have called for a boat load of pass plays because the defense
has been so leaky. This doesn’t figure to change this week
against the Giants. Coleman could be in for another nearly equal
timeshare with Smith and without the splash plays, Coleman looks
like desperation RB2 at the very best.
