NFL Player News

The Jets backfield could not exactly be called a three-headed monster after their performance Sunday against the Broncos - though their production could be called monstrous.

Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson and Bilal Powell combined for just 20 yards rushing on 13 carries. Ivory, who had been performing well recently, was mired at minus-1 yard after five attempts and finished with seven yards on eight rushes. He did snag a pass for 14 yards while Johnson added a reception for two yards.

First start, first 100-yard game. Not a bad Sunday for Broncos new featured-back-for-now Ronnie Hillman.

Hillman racked up steady yardage from beginning to end and finished with 100 in 24 carries Sunday against the host Jets. He rushed for 52 in the first half, 48 in the second and added one catch for five yards. His previous best was 86 yards on the ground against New Orleans on Oct. 28, 2012.

He will attempt to take his momentum and run with it when Denver hosts San Francisco next Sunday.

Matt Asiata, who has been the Vikings' primary ball carrier since the start of Adrian Peterson's off-the-field issues, took a back seat to Jerick McKinnon Week 6 against Detroit. In fact, Asiata didn't touch the ball until midway through the second quarter, with McKinnon getting each of the Vikings' first six carries.

In all, Asiata got just three touches, losing 5 yards on two carries and gaining 18 on a catch. He was targeted one other time in the passing game but had the ball deflect off his hands for an interception. That was in the second quarter. He made only one statistical contribution after that.

True, he was probable coming into the game with a groin injury, so it's possible his workload was adjusted for his health. Also, McKinnon may not have put the dilemma to rest with his performance, gaining 40 yards on 11 carries. But the rookie is clearly the more explosive of the two and proved viable in the passing game as well, actually leading the Vikings with 42 yards on six receptions.

If you own both in Fantasy, you should probably lean more toward starting McKinnon than Asiata at the Bills in Week 7, but both do need to be owned until we have more clarity here.

The Ravens backup runners did little Week 6.

Lorenzo Taliaferro received just two carries, but did gain 29 yards. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor had four carries for -3 yards. He did not receive a passing attempt. Both players will take on the Falcons Week 7.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce had a tough game on the ground, but managed a score Week 6.

Pierce gained just 32 yards on 15 carries. He was not targeted in the passing game. Despite his struggles, Pierce did manage to pick up a late score. In the third quarter, he managed to plunge in a touchdown from 4 yards out. Justin Forsett and Pierce split time, but Forsett had the much better game on the ground.

Pierce will look for more Week 7 against the Falcons. 

In a tough matchup on the road against the Jets, Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman did something Montee Ball never did -- deliver over 100 total yards. Hillman actually rushed for 100 yards even on 24 carries and picked up 16 yards on three catches (five targets), grossly outproducing every other Broncos back in Week 6.

The yardage was nice but the real thing to be encouraged by was Hillman's workload. The Jets almost dared the Broncos to run, which they did with Hillman. That suggests confidence in the guy by Peyton Manning, who basically works as offensive coordinator out on the field. The 27 total touches by Hillman is the most of any Broncos back on the year, besting Ball's Week 1 by a handoff and a catch. 

There was a point in the game where Hillman coughed up the ball but it was recovered by a teammate. But Hillman also got a couple of carries near the goal line, an area that might have gone to a bigger back like Juwan Thompson. 

Hillman takes on the 49ers at home in Week 7. It's a tougher matchup for Hillman but he'll likely fit into lineups as a decent No. 2 running back choice. 

Vikings wideout Cordarrelle Patterson did little Week 6.

Patterson hauled in just two passes for 15 yards. He did receive a rushing attempt, but only gained 2 yards. Patterson appeared to be hindered by his hip injury. Though he was probable coming into the contest, Patterson may have aggravated the issue early. He spent a lot of time on the sideline while the offense was on the field, though the team never officially announced an injury for Patterson.

He'll look for more Week 7 against the Bills. 

Vikings running back Matt Asiata didn't get much work Week 6.

Asiata only had two rushes for -5 yards. He caught one pass for 18 yards during the contest. The team opted to feature Jerick McKinnon during the game, putting Asiata in a backup role. He'll look for more Week 7 against the Bills. 

Earlier in the week, I expressed optimism about Storm Johnson getting an extended look in the Jaguars backfield, calling him a potential lottery ticket just because he could have the job all to himself if he proved he deserved it.

He didn't Week 6 at Tennessee, picking up just 21 yards on his 10 carries, the longest going for 7. He also had one catch for minus-4 yards. He did cap the team's first drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, but it was all downhill from there. By the end of the game, the Jaguars were relying more on Denard Robinson in the backfield.

So against a defense that entered the day ranked 26th against the run and with Toby Gerhart sidelined by a foot injury, Johnson had all of 11 touches. That's hardly the makings of a bell cow.

It was a worthy gamble given the opportunity, but I'm thinking you can send Johnson back to the waiver wire.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen wasn't much of a factor during a 37-22 win Week 6 at Buffalo. He totaled just five carries for 4 yards and one catch for 3 yards.

Even after Stevan Ridley left late in the third quarter due to a knee injury, running back Brandon Bolden ended up getting more touches on offense than Vereen, who totaled a season-low 7 yards in the win and hasn't had a touchdown since Week 1.

The Patriots are back in action Thursday against the Jets.