With Quinshon Judkins out for the season, backup Dylan Sampson
saw the most rushing attempts and targets in Week 17. He didn't
do much with them, but facing the Cincinnati defense is a lot
different than a Steelers defense fighting for its playoff life.
Since Sampson leads the running back room in targets, receptions
and receiving yards for 2025, even if Joe burrow and the Bengals
offense explodes, he'll still have an opportunity to produce points.
Blake Corum and the RBBC Rams backfield will be all Kyren Williams
in the season finale and they likely let the backup rest for the
playoff run. The Cardinals have allowed the second-most fantasy
points to opposing running backs (28 FPts/G). With only seeding
to play for, the Rams offense may take a more conservative approach
to their 37-year-old quarterback and feature the running game.
Cook’s All-Pro season was interrupted last weekend by the
rain and a tough Eagles defense. He’ll get back on track
after just his third single-digit performance in 2025. A limping
Josh Allen (foot) and little to play for could lead to a Cook-featured
offense against a Jets run defense allowing the third-most fantasy
points (26.6).
The entire Jaguars team is on a roll, led by a run defense which
has allowed the fewest yards in the league (1,090) through 16
games (68.1 ypg). That doesn’t bode well for Tony Pollard,
who did crack the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth consecutive season.
But Pollard doesn’t reach the end zone enough to be a viable
option, having scored touchdowns in just two of his last 11 games.
One team is playoff-bound, but locked into the seventh-seed and
the other team is still playing solid defense for their coach.
Starter Josh Jacobs (knee) has been hurting for a month and will
likely sit the finale, leaving Emanuel Wilson a tough assignment
against the Vikings defense.
The Texans defense has allowed the third-fewest rushing yards
to opposing RBs (74 ypg) and will be tough on Jonathan Taylor
after they take away the passing game with their devastating pass
rush and make the Colts one-dimensional. Taylor hasn’t cracked
90 rushing yards or 18 fantasy points since his 49.6-output in
Week 10. After a disappointing second half following a 7-1 start,
the Colts just want the season to end.
