DFS NFL RB Coach: Week 15

Here is the Week 15 Running Backs Coach with my recommendations first and some relevant data you should be keeping an eye on when doing your research and making lineup decisions.

High End Options

David Johnson continued his 100-yard total yard streak in every game last week but was a subpar game by his standards.  Arizona is 11^th in run blocking per PFF, 10^th in rushing YPC, 11^th in YPG and 7^th in rushing TD’s.  New Orleans is 24^th in rushing TD’s allowed.  Johnson is averaging 7 catches per game in his last 7 games. 

Le'Veon Bell has 4 straight rushing games over 100+ yards and a whopping 42 touches last week.  He has also averaged 6.7 catches per game.  Pittsburgh is 9^th in run blocking per PFF, 8^th in YPC and 9^th in YPG.  Cincinnati is 25^th against in run defense per PFF, 28^th YPC allowed and 25^th YPG allowed. 

LeSean McCoy leads a Buffalo rushing attack that is 1^st in YAC, 1^st YPG, 1^st in Rushing TD’s and 13^th in run blocking per PFF.  Cleveland is 28^th in run defense per PFF, 29^th in YAC, 31^st in YPG and 24^th in rushing TD’s allowed.  McCoy also has 13 catches in his last two games.  The only negative is short yardage TD’s that Mike Gillislee vultures away.

Ezekiel Elliott leads in the NFL in rushing.  The Cowboys are 1^st in run blocking per PFF, 2^nd in YPC, 2^nd YPG and 2^nd in rushing TD’s.  Tampa Bay is 30^th in run defense per PFF, 24^th in YPC and 21^st YPG.  Dak Prescott has struggled a bit lately so expect Dallas to lean more Elliot this week.  He averaging just over 2 catches per game so prefer him more on FanDuel.

Mid-Level Options

DeMarco Murray leads the Titans rushing attack.  Tennessee is 2^nd in run blocking per PFF, 2^nd YPC, 3^rd in YPG and 7^th in rushing TD’s scored.  Kansas City is 21^st in run defense per PFF, 25^th in YAC allowed and 27^th in YPG allowed.  It is a tough game on the road but Murray and the running game is the best chance to win for the Titans.  I would limit to GPP’s.

Jordan Howard averaged 6.6 YPC last week even though he didn’t get nearly enough touches.  The Bears have been playing better but face a tough match-up against the Packers.  The game flow isn’t expected to be great but the Bears will try to run the ball.  Chicago is 10^th in run blocking per PFF and 9^th YPC.  Howard is averaging a strong 5.0 YPC.  He should only be used in GPP’s.

Jeremy Hill has been the main ball carrier the last two weeks in Cincinnati.  He has 53 touches in the last two weeks.    The Bengals are 7^th in run blocking per PFF, 8^th in YPG and 7^th in rushing TD’s scored. Pittsburgh is 18^th in run defense per PFF, 16^th in YPC and 19^th in rushing TD’s allowed so they sit very middle of the road.

Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman get their chance to attack the 49ers pathetic run defense.  Coleman is slightly cheaper but both are in good spots.  Atlanta is 4^th in run blocking per PFF and 3^rd in rushing TD’s.  The 49ers are 31^st in run defense per PFF, 32^nd in YPC allowed, 32^nd in YPG allowed and 32^nd in rushing TD’s allowed.  A few weeks back we saw the Saints tandem tear apart the San Francisco so no reason both Freeman and Coleman can’t do the same.

Carlos Hyde ripped through the Jets defense last week for 193 rushing yards.  He has 2 receiving TD’s in the last 3 games and takes on the Falcons who have given up 97 catches to RB’s this season which is far and away the most in the league.  The 49ers are 4^th in YPC and 4^th in YPC rushing.  The Falcons are 24^th in run defense per PFF, 23^rd in YPC and 23th in rushing TD’s allowed.

Thomas Rawls and the Seattle offense have been a completely different team in their home & road games.  Seattle is coming off a short week and a dreadful performance in Green Bay.  Rawls had 100+ yards and 2 rushing TD’s in their last home game.  The Rams got destroyed last week so coming off a short week they could be a mess after firing their head coach.  If you want Thursday night exposure, Rawls is a good spot to start.

Jay Ajayi and the Dolphins are going a far different direction than the Jets.  Miami is 11^th in YPC, 7^th in YPC and 12^th in rushing TD’s.  New York has no offense at all these days and were shredded for over 200 rushing yards last week.  Miami has gotten a few guys back on the offensive line over the last few weeks which has helped.  I would stick to GPP’s with Ajayi.

Bilal Powell had 34 touches for 179 total yards last week after Matt Forte was injured.  He should be the lead back with Forte likely done for the season.  Miami defense is 20^th in run blocking per PFF, 31^st in YAC allowed and 30^th in YPG allowed.  The Jets despite their struggles overall are a respectable 12^th in YPC and 10^th in YPG.

Low Cost Options

Kenneth Dixon looked great last Monday night even if the stat lines weren’t fantastic.  He had 8 catches and showed great power.  Dixon had 3 times more snaps than Terrence West so it appears he has taken over as the main ball carrier.  This was well overdue.  Philadelphia is more susceptible via the run than the pass though both parts have been struggling.

Kenneth Farrow takes over the running back duties for the injured Melvin Gordon.  Gordon is technically day-to-day with a hip injury but I doubt he plays.  Farrow had 24 touches after Gordon was injured last week though not terribly effective but the yards per touch by Gordon wasn’t great either.  Farrow had 6 catches which is great for PPR formats.  Oakland is 26^th in run defense per PFF, 30^th YPC allowed and 26^th in YPG allowed.

Robert Kelley didn’t get the touches we wanted last week but was still able to find the endzone as Philadelphia controlled the clock.  The Redskins are 6^th in run blocking per PFF, 6^th in YPC, 12^th in YPC and 10^th in rushing TD’s.  Carolina has decent run defense ratings and ranks but that was before injuries wrecked them.  If Luke Kuechly is cleared to play, I would downgrade Kelley.  The Panthers are not motivated right now and have given up 75 points in their last two road games.

Justin Forsett draws a tough match-up vs New England but the price tag is hard to ignore.  He is minimum price on Draftkings and near minimum on FanDuel.  Denver has been decent at run blocking at 8^th per PFF.  In his first game back playing for Kubiak, he had 9 touches compared to 5 by Booker even after fumbling on his first carry so appears he may have taken over as the lead back.