Leonard Fournette vs. Ronald Jones: Committee Leaning in Fournette’s Favor

Leonard Fournette has outplayed Ronald Jones so far this season in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield, especially as a pass catcher, and that should remain the case when the Bucs face the Los Angeles Rams on the road in Week 3. 

The Rams-Bucs matchup is one of the most anticipated games of the season, and could be an NFC Championship Game preview. WynnBET Sportsbook has the Bucs as one-point road favorites with the Rams coming in as +105 underdogs on the moneyline. 

After Jones struggled with a fumble in Week 1 and some pass protection miscues in Week 2, the backfield has shifted in favor of Fournette, and it’s hard to envision Bruce Arians turning away from the veteran in such an important matchup. 

Ronald Jones vs. Leonard Fournette Stats Comparison

Touches (Carries + Receptions) 

• Fournette: 29
• Jones: 11

Yardage (Rushing + Receiving) 

• Fournette: 135
• Jones: 50

Snaps

• Fournette: 73 (57.03 percent)
• Jones: 32 (25.00 percent) 

Jones hasn’t done a bad job when he’s touched the ball from an efficiency standpoint compared to Fournette (4.1 yards per carry vs. 4.2) but his miscues in other aspects of the game led to Bruce Arians benching him in Week 1 and then giving him a limited role in Week 2. 

Fournette has been a beast in the Bucs’ passing game, as he’s amassed 11 targets and nine catches through the first two weeks, and he could be in for a bigger role with Antonio Brown being placed on the COVID-19 list on Wednesday. 

WynnBET hasn’t released player props for Sunday’s matchup with the Rams, but I’d expect Fournett’s role to continue to grow, especially in such an important matchup, until Jones can earn back the coaching staff’s trust. 

Who will lead the Buccaneers backfield in Week 3? Make your pick on WynnBET.