It’s been a very eventful week in the NFL. In between the myriad injury reports and practice updates, fans and fantasy owners have had to digest a number of difficult off-field stories.
• First, there’s the discussion reaching back to the James Harrison hit on Colt McCoy that resulted in a one-game suspension. It also prompted a new round of queries about the responsibility of coaches and trainers (and the players themselves) in addressing such injuries.
• Atlanta coach Mike Smith has been experiencing discomfort in his chest. Houston defensive coordinator Wade Phillips announced that he’d miss time to address health concerns.
• The biggest and most troubling story emerged from Chicago on Thursday morning. Wide receiver Sam Hurd was arrested on federal drug charges. He reportedly sought to buy some “five to 10 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week for distribution in the Chicago area.” Radio station WSCR in Chicago furthered the story by reporting that there may be double-digit NFL players implicated as clients. Keep an eye on FOXSports.com for more information as this story develops.
I turn back to the field of play with an exasperated sigh. This time out, I’m examining the running back landscape for Week 15.
At of this writing, it appears that Adrian Peterson will return to the field barring a setback against the Saints. Kevin Smith and James Starks appear less likely to play against the Raiders and Chiefs, respectively. Darren McFadden is out again.
Without further ado, let’s get chugging toward a title.
Exclude: Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson (he practiced Thursday), Maurice Jones-Drew, Michael Turner, Arian Foster, Chris Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Ryan Mathews, LeSean McCoy, Michael Bush
Week 15 Heroes
Beanie Wells vs. CLE: Wells seeks to rebound from a dismal effort in Week 14 against the 49ers, the second time that he was erased by the stout San Francisco run defense in a month’s time. He followed that first weak effort with a 228-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Rams in St. Louis. Following the Week 14 debacle, Wells has another spectacular spot on tap against the Browns. Cleveland has allowed 141 rushing yards per game to running backs (ninth-most fantasy points to running backs).
Roy Helu at NYG: It’s finally safe to put Helu in your lineup. Unless Mike Shanahan benches him to silence the fantasy universe, Helu stands to amass another huge workload in Week 15 against the Giants. He’s carried the ball 73 times in the past three weeks and topped 100 yards in three consecutive games. The Giants have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs, including 64 receptions (tied for 11th).
Felix Jones at TB: Jones took the reins following DeMarco Murray’s ankle injury and delivered a big performance for fantasy owners with 137 total yards on 22 touches (he did lose a fumble). He’s on the board for a strong follow-up effort here against the sieve-like Tampa Bay run defense. Fullback Tony Fiammetta will blow open holes and put Jones in position for a huge game. The Buccaneers have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs.
Reggie Bush at BUF: I never thought that I’d have been pondering “Exclusion” status for Bush during his run in Miami. Well, here we are in Week 15 and he’s certainly close. Bush earned 130 total yards on 19 touches in Week 14 against the Eagles, his seventh consecutive game with at least 96 total yards or a touchdown.
Bush logged 68 total yards with a touchdown on 19 touches in Week 11 against the Bills.
Cedric Benson at STL: Benson is a little banged up in the middle of the practice week, so we’ll be monitoring his progress as the weekend approaches. If cleared, Benson is in a prime position to deliver a big day for fantasy owners. The Rams have allowed the seventh-most points to running backs (164.7 total yards per game).
Shonn Greene at PHI: Fantasy owners had relegated Greene to the deepest “Bench” slot possible because of his tepid weekly production through the first three quarters of the season. He’s come alive in the past two weeks with 301 total yards and four touchdowns. My curiosity is also piqued by the fact that Greene has caught three passes in three consecutive games.
The Eagles have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs (152 total yards per game). With 52 touches in the past two weeks, Greene is on the cusp of a RB1 slot this week.
Steven Jackson vs. CIN: Jackson ended a five-game scoring drought with a huge performance in Week 14 against the Seahawks (123 total yards and a touchdown). He put on his cape or maybe some of those Robert Griffin III socks and carried the Rams, or tried to anyway.
I’ll put him on the board for another high touch count this week against the Bengals (21st against running backs). Cincinnati ranks seventh in terms of rushing yardage (100 yards per game), but has ceded 12 rushing touchdowns. “Feed The Beast!” is now the mantra in Seattle. It’s been the way of life for Jackson for a long, long time.
Ryan Grant at KC: James Starks did not practice on Thursday and will not likely suit up against the Chiefs. As such, Grant is back on the radar as a low-end RB2 option after posting a huge effort for fantasy owners in Week 14.
The Chiefs rank 26th against the run at 132.5 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown allowed per game (sixth-most fantasy points to running backs). If the game plays to form, Grant will pile up a high touch count with an end zone romp.
Week 15 Flop Alerts
Rashard Mendenhall at SF: Mendenhall ran for 76 yards in the Steelers’ Week 14 win over Cleveland. It was his second-highest yardage output of the season, though he was turned away repeatedly at the goal line. He’s in terrible spot here against the top-ranked San Francisco run defense that has allowed 70.5 rushing yards per game and has yet to cede a rushing touchdown.
I suspect that we see more of Isaac Redman on Monday night.
LeGarrette Blount vs. DAL: Blount got out of the gate well and posted a solid game against the Jaguars (74 yards and a touchdown). He’s failed to match high preseason expectations with 737 yards and five touchdowns to date (81 yards or fewer in his 11 appearances).
However, I’m fearful that the Cowboys put up a big point total early and relegate Blount to the sidelines. He’s not a strong pass-blocker and has tallied only 12 receptions this season. If Tony Romo’s offense keeps producing as it has in recent weeks, a putrid effort may be in the offing here. I have him ranked as a low-end RB2.
Frank Gore at PIT: Gore’s high early-season touch count appears to have caught up with him. He was limited to 39 snaps in Week 14 against the Cardinals, and things don’t get any easier this week against the Steelers. Pittsburgh has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs (97 yards per game and 0.46 touchdowns allowed per game).
C.J. Spiller vs. MIA: Spiller posted a breakout performance in Week 13 and appeared primed for a strong follow-up effort in Week 14 against the Chargers. Alas, he produced just 56 total yards on 15 touches.
He slips into a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 this week against the Dolphins. The Dolphins have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs (75 rushing yards per game and just four touchdowns all season). The Dolphins have jettisoned their head coach, but the defensive front remains in place against the sinking Buffalo offense.
Week 15 Ninja Alerts
Ben Tate vs. CAR: Tate logged 11 touches for 97 total yards in the Week 14 win over Cincinnati. It was his eighth game with a double-digit touch count this season. Let’s advance the counter to nine this week against the porous Carolina run defense. The Panthers cede 128.9 yards and 1.15 touchdowns per game and have allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs.
Sammy Morris at TB: Morris was signed by the Cowboys to help fill some of the gaping hole left behind when DeMarco Murray sustained a season-ending ankle injury. Felix Jones shouldered the load admirably in Week 14 against the Giants, but history tells us that he shan’t be piling up such a large touch count on a weekly basis.
As such, I’m putting Morris on the radar as a fourth running back option this week. Fantasy owners remember Morris’ heroics as a member of the Patriots. He stands to assume a double-digit touch count immediately in what sets up as a glorious matchup against the Buccaneers (most fantasy points allowed to running backs).
LaDainian Tomlinson at PHI: Tomlinson registered just 14 rushing yards on nine carries in Week 14, but he added 50 receiving yards and a touchdown on two receptions. He’s no better than a low-end RB3 this week as the second part of a workload split with Shonn Greene. Still, a double-digit touch count cannot be overlooked at this juncture.
Kahlil Bell vs. SEA: Marion Barber had one of the worst finishes to a game in recent memory in Week 14 against the Broncos (running out of bounds and the fumble in overtime, for those who have tuned it out). I’m not putting Bell on the board in response to those issues. I’m more looking at Bell as a better “fit” against the Seahawks. Bell is a better receiver out of the backfield and likely sees the field more against the tough Seattle front to try and stretch things out. He caught five passes against the Broncos (64 total yards on 14 touches overall).
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