National Football League

RBBC: Sims makes debut for Bucs

Published Nov. 11, 2014 2:54 p.m. ET

John Halpin

Each week during the 2014 season, we're going to take a look at five running-back-by-committee (RBBC) situations that you should keep a close eye on. Some will have big questions, while others might be noted due to their circumstances becoming clearer. Finally, we're going to focus more on the week ahead than look down the road.

Week 11 byes: Ravens, Cowboys, Jaguars, Jets

And now, in alphabetical order ...

Buffalo Bills

Fred Jackson (groin) came back on Sunday, but he touched the ball just seven times (three carries, 10 yards; four receptions, 39 yards). Anthony Dixon ran an impressive nine times for 62 yards, while Bryce Brown carried seven times for 35 yards and caught six passes for 65 yards. No clear leader here, eh?

Jackson was also limited in Monday's practice, so his fantasy prospects for Thursday appear shaky. And as good as Brown looked, he fumbled just before crossing the goal line on a second-half run. The cause was an excellent strip (punch?) by Chiefs DB Ron Park, but Brown has a reputation as a fumbler, so you have to wonder if his coaches will be wary of putting the ball in his hands too much. I wouldn't be excited about any of these guys against the Dolphins' 10th-ranked run defense, but if forced to choose, my order of preference would be Jackson, Brown, Dixon. I know Dixon ran well, but he's still a plodder.

Cleveland Browns

Let's get this out of the way: The Browns' three runners won't carry the ball 48 times again - ever. They're also extremely unlikely to have another game in which all of them score touchdowns. Are we clear on this? Good.

What we learned last Thursday is that Isaiah Crowell is back in the mix, and Ben Tate will continue to run some, but Terrance West is the leader of this committee. Should West owners be happy that he's part of a three-headed monster? Heck, no. But, it's still probably OK to start him against the Texans. As for Crowell and Tate, I'd avoid if possible.

Detroit Lions

Reggie Bush was limited to five touches on Sunday, and head coach Jim Caldwell chalked up Bush's limited usage to a recurrence of his ankle injury. Joique Bell had 81 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches, while Theo Riddick got the ball five times, including a game-winning TD catch.

No matter what Caldwell said about Bush after the game, the Lions hinted before the game that Riddick would stay involved, and that's a big red flag for Bush. Starting Bell as a fantasy RB2 moving forward is fine, even in this week's matchup at Arizona. Bush and Riddick should be avoided until the Lions' receiving back situation clears up.

New England Patriots

When we last left the Pats in Week 9, they were blowing out the Broncos, and Gray was running 12 times for a modest 33 yards. Shane Vereen had an active game, with 11 carries for 29 yards and five receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.

The Pats visit Indianapolis Sunday night, and while the Colts have the league's ninth-ranked rushing defense, they're allowing 4.4 yards per carry, so Gray remains relevant as a fantasy flex option. Continue to use Vereen as an RB2,

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Like Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster, fantasy owners were beginning to think they'd never see Charles Sims, but the rookie finally took the field in Week 10. Sims wasn't bad, running eight times for 23 yards, and catching two passes for 17 yards (but fumbling once). Bobby Rainey also got the ball 10 times (six carries, four receptions), getting 56 yards from scrimmage.

Let's pretend that Doug Martin doesn't exist any more, because that's what the Bucs might do whenever Martin gets healthy. Some form of a Rainey/Sims committee is likely to continue, which isn't so great because A) committees obviously restrict each back's value, and B) the Bucs' O-line isn't good. Hope for Sims to emerge as the leader here - maybe a 60-40 split? - and make him an optimistic low-end RB2 at Washington this week. This is a bit of a gamble, but if your record was 1-8, wouldn't you want to see what Sims could do with 15-plus touches?

BONUS TEAM

Denver Broncos

Check today's blog post and Fantasy 15 podcast for insight on how to address Ronnie Hillman's absence. C.J. Anderson is probably the guy you want to target this week.