Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 15 boom or bust
Fantasy Football – Running Back
Boom: Chris Carson, SEA @ CAR
With Rashaad Penny now done for the year, Carson will get all the work he can handle down the stretch. Even with Penny eating into his carries the last several weeks, Carson has sustained serviceable numbers, but those should now creep closer to his early-season RB1-like stat lines. Even with the fumbling issues that have cast a shadow over him this season, he’s the clear top back in Seattle with only C.J. Prosise behind him.
This matchup with the Panthers is a stellar one right in time for your team’s championship run. Opposing ball-carriers have gashed Carolina on the ground this season, allowing just over 139 rushing yards (fourth-most in the NFL) and 30.2 FPPG. Running backs have also found their way into the end zone with ease against this team, as they’ve handed over a league-high 21 rushing scores.
Boom: Kenyan Drake, ARI vs. CLE
Since arriving in Arizona in Week 9, Drake has run away with an ailing David Johnson‘s starting job and has excelled in his new home. His production has dipped a little in his past two games, but he’s seen a respectable workload in each contest with the Cardinals, handling at least 10 carries. Even with a tough schedule – SF (twice), TB, LAR, and PIT – he’s put together a modest 13.8 FPPG.
Drake should have some more room to operate against Cleveland’s 26th-ranked rush defense. The Browns’ secondary is somewhat admirable, but they’ve shown extensive struggles against the run (especially without Myles Garrett), just last week giving up a season-high 146 yards and 6.3 yards per carry to Joe Mixon. Given Drake’s pass-catching prowess as well, he gives you a nice ceiling in Week 15.
Honorable Mention: Phillip Lindsay (DEN @ KC), David Montgomery (CHI @ GB)
Bust: Joe Mixon, CIN vs. NE
As I previously mentioned, Mixon exploded for owners just in time for the fantasy playoffs last week against the Browns, taking 23 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown. He chipped in with three additional catches for 40 yards, posting 27.6 fantasy points. This was, by far, his best output of the season, as he’s been rather disappointing otherwise. Still, Mixon sits as just the RB17 on the year after being selected as a consensus top-20 pick.
While his last game was encouraging, owners must pump the breaks with him as he draws the Patriots’ fortified front-seven up next. They’ve yielded a minuscule 15.3 FPPG to the RB position (fewest in the league) and their 94 rushing yards per game allowed is also top-four. The Bengals’ offensive line is still a headache, and their struggles will be painfully obvious this weekend.
Bust: Bo Scarbrough, DET vs. TB
With Kerryon Johnson out for the season, Scarbrough has taken over as the lead back in Detroit. The Lions’ offense as a whole has underwhelmed without Matthew Stafford, putting a cap on the Alabama product’s ceiling, but he’s still managed an honest 4.2 yards per carry. He’s seeing a healthy workload at 18 carries per game, but with a non-existent role in the passing game, this hasn’t exactly translated into much fantasy success.
Tampa Bay isn’t known for their defense, allowing the NFL’s second-most points scored per game at 29.3. They’ve had coverage issues all season, which has allowed teams to pass the ball with ease. However, they’ve really put the clamps on opposing rush-attacks, ranking as the No. 1 defense in that department. The Bucs’ 17.4 FPPG surrendered to tailbacks is just third-fewest in the league, making this a stay-away spot.
Dishonorable Mention: Marlon Mack (IND @ NO), Miles Sanders (PHI @ WSH)
Sleeper: Duke Johnson, HOU @ TEN
The Texans have used Johnson a bit more in recent weeks, especially when playing from behind (11 receptions over his past two games). With the Titans playing great football, don’t be surprised if it’s a similar game script this week. Tennessee has been susceptible to pass-catching backs, surrendering the fifth-most receiving yards to the position this season.