Each week during the 2014 season, we've taken a look at running-back-by-committee (RBBC) situations that require your attention. Some will have big questions, while others might be noted due to their circumstances becoming clearer. For those of you that are still playing this week, good luck, and petition your fellow owners to shorten the fantasy schedule by a week next season.
And now, for the final time in 2014, in alphabetical order ...
Arizona Cardinals
Kerwynn Williams had just two carries for four yards against the Seahawks, while Stepfan Taylor ran 11 times for 19 yards. On Monday, Bruce Arians suggested that Williams' pass blocking wasn't good enough for much action after his team fell behind early, but he did admit that the Cards should have run more. Williams might get a bit more work against the 49ers' seventh-ranked run defense, but that doesn't mean he'll do well. Avoid the Cards' backs in Week 17.
Atlanta Falcons
Steven Jackson left Sunday's game with a quad injury, leaving 20 touches on the table for Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman. Freeman had 84 yards from scrimmage on eight touches, and ripped off a 31-yard TD run. As of Monday, Jackson was scheduled to undergo more tests on the quad, so this is a wait-and-see situation.
As nice as it would be to see Freeman get more work, if Jackson returns on Sunday with a division title on the line against the Panthers, he'll probably be the Falcons' lead back.
Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy Hill (22 carries, 147 yards, TD on Monday) is clearly the Bengals' lead back, but Gio Bernard (eight carries, 36 yards; five receptions, 45 yards, TD) appears likely to again get enough work in Week 17 to be flex-worthy. Bernard has 23 carries and eight receptions over his last two games.
Detroit Lions
Last week, here's what I wrote: "Four touches for Reggie Bush against the Vikings. We're done with him for now, right?"
Not exactly. Joique Bell was benched for the first quarter of Sunday game's due to a "violation of team rules." The Lions used a combo of Bush, Theo Riddick and George Winn early on before Bell entered the game to post 13 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown, and add a couple of receptions for 11 yards. Bush had 98 yards from scrimmage and a TD, but got four of his six receptions and one of his seven carries before Bell entered the game.
This week, the Lions visit the Packers and their 22nd-ranked run defense. Bell is a solid RB2, as he's averaged nearly 18 carries and 72 rushing yards per game over the last five weeks. Bush is still hard to trust due to his uncertain workload.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts appeared to roll over in a 42-7 loss to the Cowboys, and now they're locked into the AFC's No. 4 playoff seed. That means all bets are off for Sunday's visit to Tennessee, as every decent starter is in danger of getting a rest. If you're looking for a prediction here, I'll respond with an uneducated guess: Zurlon Tipton will lead the Colts in carries this week. Or, he'll get no carries. Or somewhere in the middle.
New England Patriots
LeGarrette Blount missed Sunday's game due to a shoulder injury after being limited in practice last week. In Blount's absence, Shane Vereen and Jonas Gray had six carries each, while Brandon Bolden had five. Vereen led the way with 38 rushing yards, while Gray had only five yards but scored on a one-yard plunge.
Now, with the Pats having clinched the AFC's top seed, they're a good bet to rest players in Week 17. You can't trust any of their backs because the game flow is very difficult to predict, but if I had to pick one it would be Gray against the Bills' tough defense.
New York Jets
Since the Jets ran 2,817 times against the Dolphins in Week 13, Chris Ivory has touched the ball 57 times in four games, with teammate Chris Johnson getting it 56 times. The backs have been more than one touch apart in only one of those four games, taking the word "timeshare" almost literally.
The Jets will visit those same Dolphins and their 23rd-ranked run defense in their season finale, so look for more of the same. Either Ivory or Johnson can be flexed by fantasy owners.
