Like the New Orleans passing attack, we never stop plugging for yardage here in the FOXSports.com fantasyland. Before diving into this week’s edition of “Lineup Calls” for the running back position, I would like to offer a couple quick notes about the Monday night massacre in New Orleans.
• You get paid to play defense for 60 minutes. Don’t bellyache about the record and Brees passing in the final minutes of the game. Stop him. Deliver a big hit and, again, stop him when you next get a chance. That opportunity may come during the NFC Playoffs, so hunker down and figure out how to actually administer some sort of pressure. I counted “Nine-Mississippi” on several of Brees’ attempts.
• Drew Brees gets paid to light up the scoreboard and deliver glad tidings to Saints fans and feel-good memories for the league (and fantasy owners). Brees’ record-setting night offered one of the few highlights from a mostly forgettable Monday Night Football slate.
Anyway, let’s get into the wild and crazy slate for Week 17. As we navigate the slate, there are several factors to consider.
• There are still a few teams fighting for the playoffs.
• Several star-laden teams are locked into their playoff slots.
• There are a number of players who could probably use a little time off heading into said playoffs and whose statuses we’ll be monitoring on game day.
• Players are still battling for milestones, contract incentives and job opportunities.
Let’s get rolling with a sophomore who has elevated his game down the stretch.
Exclude: Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Frank Gore, LeSean McCoy (health), Reggie Bush, Marshawn Lynch
Week 17 RB Heroes
C.J. Spiller at NE: Spiller has topped 100 total yards and scored in three of the past four weeks. He’s demonstrated the flash that we anticipated upon his arrival from Clemson and certainly has the Bills thinking long and hard about Fred Jackson.
Spiller is on the board for a big play this week against the Patriots. In the first meeting, Fred Jackson topped 160 total yards on 17 touches as the Bills sprang a huge upset. Though New England ranks in the middle of the pack against RBs in terms of fantasy points, running backs have amassed over 2,000 total yards against them.
Ryan Mathews at OAK: Mathews is a strong play this week against the Raiders if he’s cleared. The second-year tailback missed a mid-week practice because of his calf injury, so there is a possibility that he’s shelved in Week 17. Happily for fantasy owners, the other AFC West matchup is being played at the same time between Kansas City and Denver. As such, Norv Turner may still try to push for a victory to play spoiler.
If Mathews is shut down, look to Curtis Brinkley to take on a sizable workload in this game. The Raiders have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs.
Kahlil Bell at MIN: Bell generated a good game against the Packers in Week 16. If Bell had cashed in on either of his goal-line attempts (one stuff and one fumble), then it would have been a fantastic game. Alas, owners had to settle for his 159 total yards on 27 touches.
He raised a few eyebrows and added his name to the list of unheralded running backs forcing owners and general managers to reconsider their stances on contracts. Bell has performed well in place of Matt Forte (now Marion Barber) and rates a low-end RB1 slot against the Vikings (12th-most fantasy points allowed to RBs).
Rashard Mendenhall at CLE: Mendenhall delivered in a big spot and rumbled for 116 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against the Rams. I’m moderately concerned about Isaac Redman and John Clay creeping into the workload again and stealing goal-line work, but the matchup is certainly advantageous. I’m also wondering if the Steelers give Mendenhall enough touches to reach the 1,000-yard mark on the season. He’s 110 yards shy of that hallowed mark.
Michael Bush vs. SD: Bush posted a magnificent game in Week 10 against these Chargers, producing 242 total yards on 33 touches with a touchdown. The Raiders are still alive for a playoff berth following the Week 16 overtime win against the Chiefs. Bush’s success on the ground (he’s rushed for at least 69 yards in eight of his past nine appearances) will help the Raiders do their part against the now-eliminated Chargers.
Toby Gerhart vs. CHI: Gerhart replaced the injured Adrian Peterson in Week 16 and promptly ripped off a 67-yard run en route to a 100-yard day. He’d produced two receiving touchdowns in tandem with Peterson in Week 15.
The Bears have still surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs, but Gerhart’s aptitude as a runner/receiver and bruising style could play in front of the home crowd in this finale. Gerhart is auditioning for the lead role in Minnesota for the start of 2012 as Peterson rehabs his knee.
Willis McGahee vs. KC: McGahee ripped off a 24-yard run early against the Bills in Week 16, but things got away from the Broncos following two errant throws by Tim Tebow. As such, McGahee’s role dwindled quickly in the 40-14 defeat (he finished with 64 yards on 15 carries). He’s scored just once since Week 9.
McGahee exited the first meeting against Kansas City with a hamstring injury. He carried the ball just four times for 17 yards prior to his departure. The Chiefs defense has played much better of late, but has still allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs.
Darren Sproles vs. CAR: The Saints have indicated that they’re going to keep pushing hard into the playoffs. Therefore, we’ll look for another week of start-worthy production out of Sproles. Sproles rumbled for 89 total yards on seven touches and scored for the third time in four games during the Week 16 dismantling of the Falcons. He’s amassed at least 74 total yards in his past five games (81 receptions overall).
DeAngelo Williams at NO: Williams has scored in three consecutive games and four of his past five. As a result, I’ll lob him up as a high-end RB2 play this week against the Saints. In fact, Williams’ first touchdown of 2011 came on a 69-yard sprint against the Saints in Week 5. I don’t look for a monster effort (he’s topped 80 rushing yards only three times this season), but I’m encouraged by his recent production and string of big runs (runs of at least 21 yards in six of seven games).
Week 17 RB Flop Alerts
Peyton Hillis vs. PIT: Hillis outperformed expectations in Week 16 with his 112-yard performance against the Ravens. I’m not anticipating a repeat performance this week against the Steelers. Pittsburgh shut down Hillis altogether in Week 14, limiting the “Madden” cover boy to 25 rushing yards on 10 carries. He’s no better than a low-end RB2 option this week.
Steven Jackson vs. SF: Jackson has ripped off three straight games with at least 123 total yards since being shut down by the 49ers in Week 13. He produced 30 total yards on 11 touches in that game (19 rushing yards on 10 carries).
The 49ers finally had their streak snapped by Marshawn Lynch last week when he plunged into the end zone on a rushing attempt. The Rams don’t find themselves with many red zone opportunities, and Jackson has seen the end zone once since Week 8. Jackson joins the high stack of RB2 contenders this week.
Arian Foster vs. TEN: It’s simply a matter of whether Foster will play. How badly do the Texans want this game? I believe that he starts, but I don’t believe that he finishes. As a result, Foster rates as a mid-RB2 play this week against the Titans.
Shonn Greene at MIA: On the plus side, Greene stands one yard shy of 1,000 for the season entering Sunday’s tilt with the Dolphins. So, he’ll at least reach that milestone. However, I’m not optimistic that you’re seeing high returns against a Miami run defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs (78.3 rushing yards allowed per game and just five rushing touchdowns).
Greene rushed for 74 yards on 21 carries in the Week 7 meeting.
Cedric Benson vs. BAL: The Ravens have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs. Benson gained a paltry total of 41 yards on 15 carries in the Week 11 contest against Baltimore, though he did swoop in to score two touchdowns. He’s logged 100 rushing yards just three times this season. I can’t push him higher than a low-end RB2 slot this week.
Chris Johnson at HOU: Johnson needs 14 rushing yards to reach the 1,000-yard level for the season. That’s clearly not what the Titans anticipated when they signed him to a huge deal to end his holdout, but that number still means something to somebody. It means a several hundred thousand dollars for Johnson in 2012.
Anyway, he’s still no lock for a big performance in this road tilt. The Texans are salty following some Pro Bowl snubs, and Wade Phillips is back to command the defense after missing two games. The Texans limited Johnson to 18 rushing yards on 10 carries in the Week 7 blowout loss. Obviously, this Houston offense isn’t running and hiding on anyone anymore, but this defense can still play. Johnson rates a RB2 play this week.
LeGarrett Blount at ATL: Blount was pulled from the Week 16 blowout loss to Carolina after fumbling a handoff from Josh Freeman. It was his third pathetic effort in the past four weeks (two of them coming against the Panthers, a team that had performed terribly against the run for much of the season).
Do you trust Blount to rebound this week against a Falcons defense that was embarrassed in Week 16? I’m not holding my breath, particularly with Blount taking an observer role once the Buccaneers fall behind and with Raheem Morris’ faith wavering. The Falcons have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Week 17 RB Ninja Alerts
Derrick Ward vs. TEN: My gut tells me that though the Texans would like to avoid entering the playoffs with a three-game losing streak, they also don’t want to risk Arian Foster or Ben Tate in a “meaningless” matchup. Ward hasn’t carried the ball since Week 10 in Tampa (36 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries), but he’s in line for a heavy workload if Gary Kubiak decides to regroup and get ready for the Wild Card round.
There’s talk that Andre Johnson will be ready to run on Sunday, and that may give us a better indication of the team’s plans.
Joique Bell at GB: In the same vein, I have to wonder whether we see Kevin Smith at all this week against the Packers. Smith practiced Wednesday and will presumably be healthy enough to play, but I don’t believe that the Lions will risk their top rusher here. Detroit signed Bell, the former Division II MVP (Harlon Hill Trophy winner), perhaps a signal that Smith will play the role of spectator. Bell excelled as a short-yardage runner for Wayne State and represents a huge roll of the dice.
The Lions could employ a three-way split of Bell, Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams.
Brandon Saine vs. DET: The Packers would also be wise to sit 2010 playoff hero James Starks in this contest. Starks missed two games in their entirety before returning for seven touches against the Bears in Week 16. Saine has touched the ball only 17 times this season and has been affected by a concussion down the stretch.
* Veteran Ryan Grant logged 78 total yards (44 rushing yards on eight carries) in Week 16 against Chicago. He’s the presumed starter and back-end RB2 option. Saine is tossed up as last-minute substitution for owners whose key options may sit.
FOX Fantasy Football Homepage | Football Chat Central
