Running backs ready to provide unlikely performances
If there is one thing fantasy football owners can take away from Week 14, it is how heroes can emerge from nowhere to save the day. Derrick Henry did that for those either smart enough or, more likely, desperate enough to start him this week as he rumbled for 235 yards and four touchdowns.
Unknowns like Brandon Bolden and Damien Williams overshadowed some of the more marquee names we are used to seeing atop the weekly leaderboards. Starting any of them would have been borderline crazy, considering their track records. But looking ahead to Week 15, we just might find a few you can be brave enough to use.
With the struggles the Raiders have endured and their lack of fantasy prowess, few people are aware Doug Martin has scored a touchdown in each of his past three games. Though the diminutive running back is averaging just 48 yards per game in those games, he is finding the end zone. As you advance in your fantasy playoffs, take note of his Week 15 opponent, the Bengals. They are allowing the most fantasy points per game to the running back position.
The Falcons have been gradually falling apart, and after five straight losses, they are in need of change. Though offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is in love with his passing attack, he seems to understand the need to run the ball more and finally gave Tevin Coleman double-digit carries for the first time in over a month. The results came up short Sunday, but they also fell behind and had to abandon the run. But in Week 15, Atlanta faces the Cardinals, who have allowed a league-high 18 rushing TDs. To beat Arizona, you need to pound the run, and this should put Coleman in line for more carries and a much better fantasy outlook.
And if you really want to throw a dart, it looks like Ravens coach John Harbaugh is developing a new man-crush in the form of Kenneth Dixon. While incumbent Gus Edwards struggled to produce against the defensively challenged Chiefs, Harbaugh gave Dixon a healthy eight carries and one target in his first game. He turned that into 59 yards and a touchdown. They get the Buccaneers in Week 15, and Tampa Bay ranks 30th against the run and 23rd against RB pass plays.
“Start your studs” is the mantra you should obey, but as we’ve seen the past two weeks, fantasy help can come from unlikely sources. You can stay ahead of the game and find these hidden gems, or you can stand there scratching your head Monday and wondering what just happened.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 4-6 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy sports advice and NFL player rankings.
