The Chiefs have given up the most fantasy
points to PPR running backs including 758 receiving yards.
Grab a Helmet Austin
Ekeler @ PIT: Ekeler is the start of three running
backs here in the “Grab a Helmet” section that you wouldn’t have
guessed you’d see here in Week 13 of the NFL season, but here
we are! Ekeler has been dynamic in the brief moments he’s given
starter Melvin Gordon a breather. Despite playing second fiddle,
he’s managed to rack up nearly 800 total yards and 4 touchdowns.
Yeah, he’s wasn’t anything special in his only start of the season
against the Titans in London, but 5 receptions and 68 total yards
is far from a disaster. With Gordon likely out a few weeks, Ekeler
is an easy plug and play RB2, especially in PPR leagues. He’s
never rushed more than 12 times in a game this season, but it’s
his work in the passing game that will pay the biggest dividends,
especially this week in a huge game against Pittsburgh. Philip
Lindsay and Christian McCaffrey, two backs who are similar in
stature and ability to Ekeler, have gashed the Steelers recently.
If you are a Gordon owner who handcuffed Ekeler, you should be
able to survive. If, like me, you’ve been holding Ekeler on your
roster all year, Merry Christmas!
Jalen
Richard vs KC: Let me state upfront, I’m only looking
at Richard as a PPR FLEX option this week. If you are a standard
league player, I apologize, but Gus Edwards down below is for
you! Ok, with that out of the way, let’s look at the one and only
reason Richard makes for a worthy look this week; the matchup.
Kansas City will not only force the Raiders to play 60 minutes
of catch-up, but the Chiefs have actually been quite vulnerable
to backs, especially pass catchers. KC has given up the most receiving
yards and touchdowns, and the third most receptions to backs.
Richard is sure to add to the 53 receptions he’s already piled
up, and might even be good for a garbage time score. I nailed
Duke Johnson in a similar spot a few weeks against the Chiefs
so I’m going to the well again!
Gus
Edwards @ ATL: Edwards’s two straight 100-yard rushing
games have been a product of multiple factors. (see how I weaved
some math terminology in there!). First, the matchups the last
few weeks have been as golden as you get. Cinci and Oakland are
cream puffs, (no offense to cream puffs) with some of the worst
defenses in the NFL. Next, the fall of Alex Collins has given
Edwards a clear path to No.1 duties, so opportunity has knocked.
And finally, and I think the biggest impact, is the threat of
Lamar Jackson as a runner. As we’ve seen with brilliant running
quarterbacks in years past (Michael Vick, Colin Kaepernick) the
defensive ends must account for Jackson and that can leave gaping
holes off tackle for Edwards to exploit. He gets another gift
matchup this week against Atlanta, but unlike the previous opponents,
the Falcons can score points. If the Raven defense can’t keep
things close, Edwards could lose considerable snaps to Ty Montgomery,
as his lack of work in the passing game (he’s only got 1 reception
on 1 target this year) could lead to low floor. I’m not thrilled
he missed practice on Wednesday (likely maintenance, but keep
an on reports) but I still like Edwards much better as a FLEX
play than an RB2 this week.
Grab Some Pine
Jets Running Backs @ TEN: It’s
been a long time since a Jet runner produced a decent fantasy
day. Isaiah
Crowell has three weeks of production wrapped in ten other
weeks of pure agony, and since coming off the IR, Elijah
McGuire hasn’t been a factor. The Jets offense is one of the
most inefficient in the league, as they average the 3rd fewest
yards-per-play in the NFL. The struggles of the offense in general
limit the amount of plays they run, which in turn, limits the
scoring and yardage chances for their runners. I know the Titans
were just steamrolled to the tune of 287 rushing yards against
the Texans, but the Jets simply don’t have the offensive threats
the Texans too. No matter the format, steer far away from this
backfield.
Adrian
Peterson @ PHI (Mon): Is the fountain of youth finally
drying up for Peterson? It sure looks like it. Since romping for
126 yards against the Giants in Week 8, Peterson has failed to
top 68 yards, and is averaging a paltry 2.6 yards-per-carry. I
think it was folly to expect Peterson to stay as hot as he was
to start the year, especially considering the injuries he’s playing
through. He looked especially slow and plodding against an attacking
Dallas defense a few weeks ago. Philly may not be able to defend
the back end, and they looked like coyotes in a Warner Brothers
cartoon try to tackle Saquon Barkley last week, but they have
an aggressive enough front four to penetrate the Skin’s backfield.
If you can force AP to make moves behind the line before he gets
a head of steam, you can shut down the run game. Peterson is going
to be a score or bust option this week.
Tevin
Coleman vs BAL: You can likely still get by with starting
Coleman as your FLEX in PPR leagues, but it’s a big disappointment
that at this point of the season that’s the best Coleman
has to offer. I figured he’d be a shoo-in for high end RB2
numbers on a weekly basis with Devontae Freeman lost for the year,
but the fact that the Falcons can never seem to get into positive
game scripts, the play of Ito Smith, and the terrible offensive
line, have all conspired to sap Coleman of most of his fantasy
value. He’s been saving his fantasy weeks with touchdown
grabs, but hasn’t found the endzone on the ground since
Week 7. There is a slight chance the Falcons can get out to a
lead against the Ravens this week, but their front seven should
control the line of scrimmage making Coleman an uninspiring option.
