NFL Player News

Getting another start for the Raiders, running back Latavius Murray didn't exactly light up the scoreboard like in his previous meeting with the Chiefs, when he had 112 yards and two touchdowns on four carries, but he performed adequately enough Week 15 at Kansas City, gaining 59 yards on 12 carries and 17 on two catches.

The problem is he had just 12 carries -- and only a week after having 23. It wasn't because the Raiders turned to someone else. They just stopped running the ball, having only seven carries as a team in the second half.

The Raiders trailed by only a touchdown at the half, but the Chiefs pulled away soon thereafter, putting the ball in the hands of rookie quarterback Derek Carr keeping it away from the Raiders' new weapon.

That's going to happen sometimes with the running back of a 2-12 team, so even though Murray has been a nice find to end the season, you'll need to pick your spots with him. Week 16 against Buffalo could be a more competitive game, but the Bills are so tough against the run that you may still want to pass on Murray.

Jets running backs Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory failed to combine for 100 rushing yards in a 16-11 victory over the Titans Sunday.

Johnson received 10 carries and produced 55 rushing yards. He was targeted once in the passing game, but failed to catch his only target.

Ivory rushed for 25 yards on 12 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter. He also caught his only passing target for 1 yard.

The Jets host the Patriots Week 16.

Vikings running back Matt Asiata managed to find the end zone Week 15 against the Lions.

Asiata didn't have a productive game on the ground, gaining just 33 yards on 11 carries. He was, however, efficient when it mattered, pounding in a 2 yard score in the first quarter. Minnesota opted to pass throughout the contest, leaving Asiata without many opportunities on the ground. He was able to make an impact as a pass-catcher, hauling in seven passes for 50 yards.

Asiata will look for more Week 16 against the Dolphins.

The Browns switched to rookie Johnny Manziel at quarterback for Week 15 against Cincinnati, and their whole offense went in the tank as a result.

Clearly, their passing game struggled with Manziel throwing for just 80 yards, but what gets overlooked in all the hullabaloo is the effect on the running game. With the Browns unable to move the ball, achieving just five first downs on their 38 plays, the platoon of Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West didn't get much of a chance to contribute. Crowell ran seven times for 17 yards, down from 14 for 54 in Week 14, and West ran five times for 23 yards, down from 15 for 54.

And the Bengals aren't even good at stopping the run. They entered the day ranked 27th against it.

This is a problem for Crowell and West owners. Crowell in particular had emerged as a fringy start in 12-team leagues as the better scoring threat of the two, but without even competent quarterback play, nobody's doing any scoring.

The Browns visit the Panthers in Week 16, who rank in the middle of the pack against the run, but if Manziel is starting that game, you should probably sit Crowell and West in Fantasy.

Chargers running back Branden Oliver had one of his least productive games of the season in a 22-10 loss to the Broncos Sunday.

Oliver was held to 26 rushing yards on 12 attempts, but caught all four of his receiving targets for 44 yards. Oliver failed to reach the end zone and has not scored since Oct. 12.

The Chargers next play Saturday at Kansas City.

Denard Robinson had emerged as the Jaguars' primary option at running back this season, but an injury will keep him out over the final three games. Unfortunately, none of his potential replacements did much to stand out in Week 15 against the Ravens.

Toby Gerhart predictably saw the most work for the Jaguars, but didn't do much with it. He rushed for 54 yards on 13 carries, but of which led the team, but didn't exactly impress. Fortunately for him, neither did Storm Johnson or Jordan Todman, who combined for just 26 yards on nine carries.

Sunday's was a tough matchup for the Jaguars backs, so they should have an easier time next week. However, even against a subpar Titans rushing defense, none of these backs are worth starting outside of the deepest Fantasy leagues for Week 16.

Despite receiving 29 rushing attempts, Broncos running back C.J. Anderson was held under 100 rushing yards in a 22-10 win over the Chargers Sunday.

Anderson led the team with 29 carries for 85 yards, but failed to find the end zone. He was targeted two times and caught two receptions for 11 yards.

The Broncos play at Cincinnati Week 16.

After leaving Sunday’s game against the Broncos with an elbow injury, Chargers linebacker Donald Brown is questionable to return, the team announced.

Featured back Steven Jackson was the most procuctive on a short list of minor contributors for the Falcons against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Jackson finished with just 46 yards on 11 carries and added one catch for 11 yards.

Also chipping in was running back Devonta Freeman, who managed 21 yards on four attempts and nine yards on one reception. Fellow back Jacquizz Rodgers added three yards on two carries and 12 yards on one catch while tight end Levine Toilolo caught a pass for four yards.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen found the end zone during Sunday's victory over Miami in Week 15.

Vereen took a shotgun draw for a 3-yard score in the second quarter. It was his second rushing touchdown of the season. He failed to make much of an impact the rest of the way, as he finished with six carries for 5 yards and a score. He caught one of three targets for 12 yards in a 41-13 victory.

New England will face the Jets in Week 16.