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The Shot Caller's Report - Wk 16 Running Backs



By Steve Schwarz | 12/23/21
Bye Weeks: N/A
QBs | RBs | WRs


Grab a Helmet


James Robinson

1) James Robinson @ New York Jets

Robinson was let out of the doghouse last weekend by interim head coach Darrell Bevell and responded with a solid effort (18-75-1). This weekend he and the Jaguars face the worst run defense in the league and it’s not even close. The Jets non-existent defense allows 33.9 FPts/G to opposing RBs and with backup Carlos Hyde still dealing with concussion issues it should be a big day for Robinson.

2) David Montgomery @ Seattle

Montgomery has been a bit disappointing this season with his production dropping from 17.7 FPts/G last year to 14.3 this season. He’s been an RB2 after being drafted as a late RB1 following a great finish to the 2020 season when he averaged 25.7 FPts/G over the final half dozen games. He’ll get a chance to improve on his productivity against a Seahawks defense which doesn’t stop the run and has yielded 29.4 FPts/G (ranked 31st).

3) Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon @ Las Vegas

The Williams-Gordon backfield split has been very even this season (208 touches to 197 touches, respectively), but Williams has been slightly more effective with respect to yardage (1,103 vs 943) while Gordon has been the “touchdown maker” leading nine-six. Both should see plenty of work against a Raiders defense ranked 30th allowing 28.5 FPts/G.

Grab some Pine

1) Duke Johnson @ New Orleans

Do not be fooled by Johnson explosion in Week 15 (22-107-2). It was at the expense of the worst run defense in football – the Jets (33.9 FPts/G). The Saints, his opponent this Monday, are the best run defense in the league allowing just 17.5 FPts/G. He’ll disappoint you if you ask him to get you to the championship game. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

2) Ronald Jones @ Carolina

He will certainly see increased volume with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) likely sidelined until the playoffs, but this isn’t a favorable matchup. The Panthers rank No. 2 against opposing RBs yielding 17.7 FPts/G. They haven’t allowed 20 or more fantasy points since Week 6 and just twice all season. The Bucs signed Le’Veon Bell on Tuesday to help with the workload. The Panthers are more vulnerable to the pass and I expect Tom Brady to rebound from last week’s shutout and along with Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown to lead the way in this one.

3) Elijah Mitchell @ Tennessee

Mitchell’s knee is improving and he will be a game-time decision. Don’t take the bait even if he plays. The Titans rank No. 3 against opposing RBs (18.3 FPts/G) and No. 31 against opposing wide receivers (41.3 FPts/G). Mitchell, who has missed the past two games, would likely also be on a snap count while sharing time with Jeff Wilson and “Swiss Army knife” Deebo Samuel.

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers