It’s time to take the training wheels off. With whispers of J.K.
Dobbins suffering a multi-week foot injury, Harvey could be thrust
into a lead back role for Denver. With only 75 touches in 10 games
this season Harvey has mostly been a complimentary player boosted
by his six scores (four of which have come via the pass), but that
could change as soon as this week. The Chiefs have been mostly solid
against the run this season, but I’m willing to bet on the talent
and scheme fit to make Harvey a RB2.
Like his cowboy namesake in Toy Story, it seems like Marks has taken
over center stage in Houston. The rookie from USC has slowly been
eating into Nick Chubb’s snap share over the last few weeks, and
was in essentially a 50-50 split until Week 10’s comeback against
the Jags. In that game Marks played 80% of the snaps, and piled
up 81 total yards and a touchdown. While the game script largely
contributed to the snap share imbalance, Marks should be a big part
of the gameplan against a Titan run defense that is among the worst
in the league.
After returning from the IR three weeks ago, Jones has slowly
ascended back into the RB1 role for the Vikings. He’s piled
up 18 carries for 125 yards (6.9 ypc) in his last two games, and
gets a Chicago defense yielding 5.2 yards per carry, good for
4th worst in the NFL. With modest passing game work to boost his
floor, Jones also carries plenty of upside into Week 11.
The Pats run defense has been legendary this season, as they went
9 games before finally giving up 50 rushing yards to a back in Week
10 (Sean Tucker of all people). They’ve been absolute misers in
the scoring department as well, giving up only three total touchdowns
to the position. Hall’s explosive skills can be the ointment to
any defense, but his bust potential is higher than normal in a game
they might not be able to control tempo in. Start with caution.
The knock on Walker has always been his health, but health doesn’t
matter much if the production doesn't come with it. Nearly invisible
in the red zone (heck, 3rd string rookie George Holani scored
last week), and an afterthought in the passing game, Walker gets
you about 60 total yards on 13 or so lifeless touches. He hasn’t
scored since Week 3, and with Charbonnet getting almost all of
the high value touches, starting Walker has been a fool's errand.
The King might have officially lost his crown. The touches have
remained strong, but the return of Lamar Jackson hasn’t
been the elixir to reestablish Henry as a dominant force. The
Ravens have struggled in short yardage and goal to go situations
all year, and the easy scores just haven’t been there like
they were in the past. Henry’s worst game of the season
came in Week 2 against this same Cleveland front. You aren’t
going to sit him, but the days of being a Week winner might be
gone.
