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Ryan Mathews RB | PHI
Ryan Mathews a solid Week 7 play
Chargers running back Ryan Mathews should have a nice performance Week 7 at Jacksonville for several reasons. The Jaguars have not been a good football team and that is probably the biggest one.
Mathews last played in Jacksonville in 2011 and he rushed 13 times for 112 yards and a touchdown in that game. Plus, after a mediocre start to the year, Mathews is coming off his best performance. He topped 100 yards last week for the first time this year as he ran 22 times for 102 yards.
The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most Fantasy points per game this season to the opposition's running backs. They've surrendered six touchdowns to RBs and only the Rams have allowed more than the 712 yards they have given up on the ground.
Mathews should near 100 yards once again this Sunday. Mathews should be looked at as a solid low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 Fantasy RB for the Week 7 game. -
Donald Brown RB | NE
Donald Brown worth stashing, not starting
Colts running back Donald Brown is averaging 7.8 yards per carry and has hit the holes quicker than Trent Richardson. But Brown gets so few touches, he's not worth starting Week 7 against Denver.
Indy has given Brown 15 carries in four games since Richardson arrived. If Richardson (3.2 yards per carry) continues to flounder and this becomes more of an even timeshare, Brown would become a regular flex option.
Keep Brown stashed for now and see if the Colts lose patience with Richardson.
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Trent Richardson RB | BAL
You can justify sitting Trent Richardson
Colts running back Trent Richardson has the same number of Fantasy points as Jason Snelling and just failed to capitalize on a juicy matchup at San Diego. Now Richardson, tied for 27th among Fantasy backs, plays a Broncos' defense giving up a league-low 70 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry.
Which, coincidentally, is what Richardson gains per tote. It's not like he's doing damage as a receiver, either, with two catches in four games as a Colt. He has one game with double-digit Fantasy points this year.
Broncos-Colts will be a high-scoring game, and you can hope Richardson gets a goal-line chance or two. He did score in Weeks 3 and 4. You can make an equally strong case for benching him, which is shocking considering where he was drafted.
Play Richardson at your own risk in Week 7.
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Doug Martin RB | LV
Any running room for Doug Martin?
Though Doug Martin is still the league's ninth-leading rusher, the second-year running back hasn't had much room to run since the Buccaneers made the switch to Mike Glennon at quarterback in Week 4, averaging 56.0 yards in two games. But if Glennon continues to do what he did against the Eagles last week, throwing for 273 yards and two touchdowns, defenses will have to make some effort to stop the pass, freeing up Martin to get more out of his 20-plus carries per game.
So will that happen Week 7 at Atlanta? The Falcons are nearly as bad as the Eagles against the pass, allowing 274.8 yards per game, seventh-most in the NFL, so if they take Glennon for granted, they could get burned. Then again, seeing as they rank sixth against the run, allowing 97.4 yards per game, they may not have too much trouble slowing down Martin anyway.
Martin has history on his side, having rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns in two games against the Falcons last season, and is still one of the safer running backs you could start each week because of all the carries he gets. But he may not be ready to break out just yet.
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Jacquizz Rodgers RB | NO
Not best time for Jacquizz Rodgers to carry load
Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who broke out with two touchdowns when the team last played Week 5 against the Jets, may not have much help in the backfield Week 7 against the Buccaneers. Steven Jackson is still working his way back from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 2, and Jason Snelling, though able to practice Tuesday, is no certainty to play after suffering a concussion in Week 5.
Though a chance to carry the load would seemingly be a good thing for Rodgers' Fantasy value, it comes at an inopportune time. True, the Buccaneers rank a modest 13th against the run, but they've allowed the eighth-fewest Fantasy points per game to running backs, giving up 3.8 yards per carry and just one rushing touchdown.
Then again, with Julio Jones now out for the year and Roddy White still limited by injuries of his own, the Falcons may be looking to run the ball more than ever, regardless of what the numbers say. You could do worse for your flex spot this week.
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Ronnie Hillman RB | DAL
Ronnie Hillman getting used less and less
Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman got 11 carries in Week 4, seven carries in Week 5, and four last week. It's a disturbing trend for his Fantasy prospects as Knowshon Moreno has taken command of the backfield.
Now purely a change-of-pace back, Hillman has retained some value by catching eight passes the past three weeks. He didn't help himself, however, by fumbling against the Jaguars.
In Week 7 at the Colts, Hillman is only a flex option in very deep PPR leagues.
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Joseph Randle RB | DAL
Joseph Randle could be helpful if RB situation is dire
With Cowboys running backs DeMarco Murray (knee) and Lance Dunbar (hamstring) expected to sit out Week 7 at Philadelphia, rookie running back Joseph Randle will be a hot pickup in Fantasy leagues this week. If you are lucky enough to nab Randle off waivers (owned in 6 percent of leagues), then you might consider starting him in Week 7.
Running backs average 91.2 rushing yards, 37.8 receiving yards and 15 Fantasy points per week against the Eagles. The Fantasy Points Against average is a little bit low because running backs have just four touchdowns and three fumbles against Philadelphia. Most teams have taken to the air to expose Philadelphia's weak secondary.
Randle got his first carries Week 6 when Murray left the game with a knee injury. Though, Randle was far from impressive, despite scoring a touchdown. He rushed for just 17 yards on 11 carries. Perhaps he will perform better Sunday after a full week of reps with the first-team offense. Fantasy owners can consider Randle a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back or flex option Week 7.
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Donald Brown RB | NE
Donald Brown sharp in limited duty
Colts running back Donald Brown ran three times for 15 yards and caught both his targets for 19 yards in the loss at San Diego. It was the fourth straight game Brown has averaged at least 5 yards per carry.
Brown is making a case for more playing time but isn't getting it so far, even with Trent Richardson struggling. Brown faces Broncos in Week 7.
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Trent Richardson RB | BAL
Trent Richardson a big disappointment again
Colts running back Trent Richardson had a great matchup against San Diego's leaky defense, but he failed to deliver. Again. He gained 40 yards on 10 carries, made a 13-yard reception and dropped his other target.
Richardson did not score for the second straight week, and he missed a blitz pickup that got Andrew Luck sacked.
Richardson's highlights came when he broke five tackles after a short reception in the second quarter, and when he ran 12 yards up the gut in the third quarter. Overall, though, it was another depressing performance by last year's No. 3 overall pick.
Richardson has just two runs of 20-plus yards in his career. He plays the Broncos in Week 7.
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Ryan Mathews RB | PHI
Surprise! Ryan Mathews goes over 100 yards
Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, who came in averaging 3.5 yards per carry, posted his first 100-yard rushing game since December 2011 in the win over the Colts. Mathews carried 22 times for 102 yards, an average of 4.6 per carry.
It was Mathews' sixth 100-yard effort in 44 career games. He was sharp from the start, gaining 47 yards on 11 first-half carries. When the Chargers wanted to bleed the clock late, Mathews showed good vision on a 10-yard zone run, then busted a 15-yard run off right tackle.
Mathews did not score a touchdown for the fifth straight game, and he foolishly ran out of bounds with 2:28 remaining. He was targeted once without a catch. Still, it was a breakthrough performance.
Mathews will try to build on it Week 7 at Jacksonville.