I can't remember the last time two starting RBs got hurt four days before facing off on Thursday night. A month ago, this looked like an upcoming battle between two elite backfields. A week ago, it looked more like two underperforming backfields (possibly) poised to break out. Now we're left with Nyheim Hines vs. Melvin Gordon, or Mike Boone, or Latavius Murray.
The fantasy implications are obviously huge, and at first glance, confusing. I can tell you that I'm starting Gordon in the Premier Fantasy Football League. If I had a near-automatic 10+ point RB, I'd bench Gordon. But I need to the roll the dice on a touchdown or a bunch of receptions, because the elite Indy run defense has yielded only 3.1 yards per carry.
Boone and/or Murray could play spoiler. More likely, Gordon will earn 8-10 carries and 2-3 receptions, racking up 40-50 yards. Nothing special. And if you're in the same boat I'm in, the veteran RB is worth the risk in a game that should go Denver's way.
I believe more in the passing game. Last week I remained all in on Russell Wilson and even tried to trade for him. Better days lie ahead as he continues to acclimate to new receivers and a new system. The Colts are beatable through the air. I like Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy as top-30 WRs with plenty of pop.
For Indy, I'm not sure we can trust Hines any more than we can trust Gordon. But at least he's not facing the same level of backfield competition. That said, if Denver has a firm lead in the second half (which I believe will happen), Hines could be phased out. Let's hope he earns 4+ receptions. He's certainly capable of being a bell cow, having averaged a little over 15 carries per game in his final collegiate campaign. It's simply hard to know how much the Colts will use him.
Through the air, Michael Pittman's stock couldn't get much lower. He's basically a higher-upside version of D.J. Moore. Matt Ryan's on pace for 34 turnovers and 64 sacks. There is no way this franchise anticipated a worse opening month for this future Hall of Famer. It's fair to wonder if the now 41-year-old Philip Rivers would be better.
Regardless, we're stuck betting on Pittman to bounce back despite declining targets, because it's hard to bench him. And in the meantime, rookie Alec Pierce continues to push for equal attention. As I wrote this summer, don't sleep on Pierce. The Colts drafted him to be their #2 WR. This remains an extraordinarily top-heavy offense. Great for fantasy if Ryan can get going. Terrible for fantasy if he can't.
I'm predicting a Broncos victory, 26-17. Share your prediction below, and good luck if you have a fantasy interest in what happens.
The fantasy implications are obviously huge, and at first glance, confusing. I can tell you that I'm starting Gordon in the Premier Fantasy Football League. If I had a near-automatic 10+ point RB, I'd bench Gordon. But I need to the roll the dice on a touchdown or a bunch of receptions, because the elite Indy run defense has yielded only 3.1 yards per carry.
Boone and/or Murray could play spoiler. More likely, Gordon will earn 8-10 carries and 2-3 receptions, racking up 40-50 yards. Nothing special. And if you're in the same boat I'm in, the veteran RB is worth the risk in a game that should go Denver's way.
I believe more in the passing game. Last week I remained all in on Russell Wilson and even tried to trade for him. Better days lie ahead as he continues to acclimate to new receivers and a new system. The Colts are beatable through the air. I like Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy as top-30 WRs with plenty of pop.
For Indy, I'm not sure we can trust Hines any more than we can trust Gordon. But at least he's not facing the same level of backfield competition. That said, if Denver has a firm lead in the second half (which I believe will happen), Hines could be phased out. Let's hope he earns 4+ receptions. He's certainly capable of being a bell cow, having averaged a little over 15 carries per game in his final collegiate campaign. It's simply hard to know how much the Colts will use him.
Through the air, Michael Pittman's stock couldn't get much lower. He's basically a higher-upside version of D.J. Moore. Matt Ryan's on pace for 34 turnovers and 64 sacks. There is no way this franchise anticipated a worse opening month for this future Hall of Famer. It's fair to wonder if the now 41-year-old Philip Rivers would be better.
Regardless, we're stuck betting on Pittman to bounce back despite declining targets, because it's hard to bench him. And in the meantime, rookie Alec Pierce continues to push for equal attention. As I wrote this summer, don't sleep on Pierce. The Colts drafted him to be their #2 WR. This remains an extraordinarily top-heavy offense. Great for fantasy if Ryan can get going. Terrible for fantasy if he can't.
I'm predicting a Broncos victory, 26-17. Share your prediction below, and good luck if you have a fantasy interest in what happens.