Good running back matchups this week:
Jamaal Charles against the Rams. Charles is getting his groove this season after a slow start averaging 22.7 over his last 3 games. He faces a Rams team allowing 145 rushing yards per game with 5 touchdowns. We could see a ton of Charles in this game. - definite fantasy football start.
Andre Ellington against the Eagles. Despite Stepfan Taylor stealing two touchdowns from Ellington, he still posted 24 carries for 88 rushing yards with 6 receptions for 72 receiving yards. He's getting the bulk of the work and that is what you can count on. Ellington is a very strong flex option but can be used as a RB2 this week. The Eagles are 23rd in the NFL allowing 124.3 rushing yards per game but only 2 touchdowns. They are giving up 17.8 fantasy points per game to running backs.
RB Sleeper Pick of the Week:
Jerick McKinnon against the Buccaneers. McKinnon has now assumed the starting role in Minnesota. He posted his second 100-yard game of the season and has a chance to have another big game this week. He will face a Buccaneers team allowing 128.3 rushing yards per game with 7 touchdowns. They are allowing the 5th most fantasy points to running backs with 20.8 per game.
Bad quarterback matchups this week:
Matt Ryan against the Lions. How bad has Ryan been the last 3 weeks? How about the same fantasy points as Kirk Cousins and Jake Locker has during the same period. The Falcons will be traveling to London and starting at 9:30am EST. Make sure to adjust your lineups early. He will be facing the Lions who are holding fantasy quarterbacks to just 11 fantasy points per game, the best in the league. They are also tied for the least amount of touchdowns given up to opposing quarterbacks with only 7.
Ben Roethlisberger against the Colts. Roethlisberger struggled for most of the first half against the Texans and then the offense scored thanks to some key turnovers by the defense. He is only averaging 16 fantasy points over the past 3 games. He faces a Colts team ranked 5 in the league allowing 214.4 passing yards per game with 8 touchdowns allowed. The Colts are 2nd best defending quarterbacks in fantasy allowing 12.6 points per game.
Drew Brees against the Packers. People are expecting this game to be high scoring, but I don't think the Saints are that good of a team. Even playing at home, I'm skeptic of Brees this week. Over the past 4 weeks including a bye, Brees is 16th among quarterbacks. He's facing a Packers team that is allowing just 14.3 fantasy points per game.
Bad running back matchups this week:
Giovani Bernard against the Ravens. Bernard is limited this week with a rib injury but it shouldn't keep him out of this game. The Bengals had two horrible games over the last 3 weeks including last week where he rushed for just 17 yards on 7 carries. He will face a Ravens defense allowing just 87.3 rushing yards per game and only 3 touchdowns. The Ravens are tied with the Bills for the least amount of fantasy points to running backs with 9.8 per game.
Alfred Morris against the Cowboys. Colt McCoy will be starting this game so I expect the Cowboys to stack the box and force him to throw. That will limit Morris who is averaging just 7 fantasy points per game over the past 3 weeks without a touchdown. The Cowboys defense is allowing 113.4 rushing yards per game (16th) with 4 touchdowns allowed. They are giving up 13.1 fantasy points per game to running backs.
Denard Robinson against the Dolphins. One of the top waiver pickups this week, Robinson will find it hard to duplicate his performance from last week when he ran for 127 yards and a touchdown. I think it was a fluke and we will see him struggle in this contest giving way to Storm Johnson later in the game. Miami is 10th in the league allowing 100.3 rushing yards per game with 4 touchdowns given up. They are giving up 18.3 fantasy points per game to running backs but I don't see that happening this week.
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