Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood (28) is tackled near the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) and cornerback Artie Burns (25) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) and offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi (70) celebrate in the game against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
Over the past two seasons, Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill has the fifth most carries in the NFL (446), trailing only Matt Forte (484), Frank Gore (515), LeSean McCoy (517), and DeMarco Murray (586).
What is most impressive about Hill is his durability. To wit, he had 222 carries in 2014 and 223 carries in 2015. So far in 2016, he has carried the ball 37 times, which only ranks 19th at the running back position.
Hill faced two of the toughest run defenses in the NFL to start the season. In Week 1, he took on the Jets, who are third in rushing yards allowed per game (71.7 ypg). In Week 2, he faced the Steelers, who are fourth in rushing yards allowed per game (75.3 ypg). Both games were on the road.
In Week 3, Hill faced the Denver Broncos at home. The Broncos allowed only 64 yards to Jonathan Stewart in Week 1, and only 44 yards to Frank Gore in Week 2.
Hill ran for 97 yards on 17 carries, for an incredible 5.7 yards per carry. He also scored two rushing touchdowns.
Over the remaining 12 games of the season, the Bengals will face eight teams that are outside of the top 10 in run defense. This includes Miami this week (second worst), Washington in Week Eight (24th overall), and Houston at home in Week 16 (26th overall). It was reported today that star defensive end J.J. Watt may be out for the rest of the season with a back injury.
Prediction: Buy Jeremy Hill, like, yesterday. Often overlooked, he is one of the few RB1s that also get the goal-line carries. With a favorable schedule and a lot of home games, Hill will be a top-five fantasy running back the rest of the season.
Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talks to line judge Sarah Thomas (53) during a time out in a game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
Last season, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was averaging 29.2 attempts, 234.7 yards, and 37.9 rushing yards per game before the bye week.
After the bye week in 2015, Wilson averaged 31.4 attempts, 268.3 yards, and 31.3 rushing yards per game, tossing an incredible 25 touchdown passes with just two interceptions.
This season, Wilson is averaging 33.7 attempts, 251.7 yards, and 11 rushing yards per game. He has two passing touchdowns and one pick.
Wilson is currently dealing with two injuries and is playing the Jets on the road this Sunday. Next week, the Seahawks are on a bye week.
Projecting the same increase as last season, Wilson would attempt 35.8 passes and average 285.3 passing yards per game. Both would be career highs.
After the bye week the Seahawks will face the teams that have allowed the second, fifth, eighth, and tenth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Seattle is one of the few teams that have home games during Weeks 15 and 16. These are typically the playoff weeks for most fantasy leagues.
Prediction: Russell Wilson is the top buy-low quarterback candidate for the remainder of the season. After the bye week, Wilson will have a repeat performance from last season, and vault himself to a top three quarterback finish by the end of season.
