Starts
Start of the Week –
D’Andre Swift vs Carolina Panthers
Swift completely took over the running back duties last weekend against the Washington Football Team posting over 149 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. He continues to man the workload and be a security blanket for Stafford and the Detroit offense. Sign me up for more of him when they take on Carolina and their ridiciously bad rushing defense that just gave up almost 200 rushing yards to Ronald Jones last weekend.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs Las Vegas Raiders
Clyde hasn’t been bad beyond any shadow of a doubt, but you wonder when Le’Veon Bell is going to break out. His fantasy points have dwindled since week six against the Bills, but I like him here against the Raiders. Their rushing attack has been horrid this whole season finishing 28th out of 32. I’d put worries aside and start him this weekend.
Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic vs Cincinnati Bengals
Both of these individuals have done great things for Washington last weekend as Gibson had two rushing touchdowns while McKissic scored another rushing touchdown, and he had 15 targets in the passing game catching seven of them. Both of them are great options against a Cincinnati rushing defense that hasn’t been the greatest this season.
Mike Davis vs Detroit Lions
Consider this the Mike Davis redemption game after last weekend’s pitiful performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit has never been able to stop the rushing attack against teams, and I do not see that starting this weekend against the Panthers. With Bridgewater in question, I believe they rely heavily on the run game also allowing him to catch passes out of the backfield. Also Detroit’s rushing defense is last in the NFL. Start Davis with confidence.
Damien Harris vs Houston Texans
Even with Cam Newton running the ball a lot, Harris (and even Burkhead) provide an excellent and safe flex play this weekend against the Houston Texans who are 23rd in the league against stopping the run. So whether it would be the rushing attack of Harris, or the pass-catch of Burkhead, I’d flex either one this weekend with Harris having the higher ceiling.
Sleepers;
Nyheim Hines vs Green Bay Packers
Duke Johnson vs New England Patriots
Giovani Bernard vs Washington Football Team
Sits
Sit of the Week –
Todd Gurley vs New Orleans Saints
Take this with a grain of salt as many of you will most likely play Gurley based on his past work, and I get it, but Gurley’s workload has become somewhat touchdown dependent. Plus he is going up against the 2nd best team at defending the rush in the Saints. Just flex him at best, but I’d argue that is even maybe too steep for this week.
Ronald Jones vs Los Angeles Rams
Jones popped off with nearly 200 rushing yards last weekend against the Carolina Panthers. A big portion of that came on a franchise setting 98-yard touchdown run. However, Fournette is still eating into his carries and targets, and with Jones still fumbling the ball makes it always a toss up to start him or Fournette, but against the Rams is not one I would like to take.
James Robinson vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Robinson has been a big fantasy surprise this season having every game he’s been in with double-digit fantasy points, and a lot of it resides in his best McCaffrey impression to have a great pass-catch ability with his running stance. However, he goes up against the best defense at defending the run in the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won’t be shut out, but this may be the first game he gets single-digit fantasy points.
Melvin Gordon vs Miami Dolphins
Gordon kind of returned to his main role in the rushing department as Phillip Lindsay played second fiddle. However, game script completely took him out of fantasy value as Drew Lock and the offense could not get anything going. I feel like he could end up in a similar situation against the Dolphins which is why I’d avoid him this week.
Darrell Henderson vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Henderson got into the endzone last weekend against the Seahawks which saved his fantasy value, but his playing time was cut down when had to split carries with Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers. Brown even got in the endzone twice, that is always a ehhhh factor going to these contests especially against the Bucs who are ranked in the top ten at defending the run.
Busts;
James White vs Houston Texans
Matt Breida vs Denver Broncos
DeeJay Dallas vs Arizona Cardinals
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