By Rich Cordaway
Photo: Football Schedule via Flickr
From a fantasy perspective, it can’t get any worse than this situation: Week 13 right before most fantasy playoffs, teams are fighting for that last playoff spot and a tandem of RB’s are playing a weak rush defense. In the Thursday night game, no less!
And the big question lingers . . . Who do you start? Jacquizz Rodgers or Michael Turner?
It wasn’t all that long ago that Turner was considered (and drafted) like a #1 RB. But this year his numbers have been anything but #1 material. He’s only gone over 100 yards twice (Weeks 4 & 9) and is averaging a meager 3.5 yards per carry. And to pile onto his woes, last week against Tampa he only gained 17 yards on 13 carries. He did save some face a little with a rushing TD as well.
Rodgers, on the other hand, put in a competent performance against Tampa with 10 carries for 49 yards and a TD. He’s shown all year that he can handle the ball on the ground (3.9 yards per carry) and in the air (35 receptions). In Week 13, the Falcons play the Saints who hold the dubious distinction of having the worst rush defense in the league. Both of these backs must be salivating for a chance to carve them up.
It seems the likely candidate would be Rodgers. He’s coming off a solid game and he’s a dual threat out of the backfield. But what can’t be overlooked is motive. The Falcons are rolling this season with a 10-1 record and a stranglehold on the NFC South division. They don’t need a big game from the RB position nor do they need a RB controversy brewing right now. And for those reasons, Turner will still be the Man for the Falcons this week.
Look for Turner to play like the #2 RB that he is and be the dominant back for the Falcons in the Week 13 Thursday Night Game.
Who do you think is the better play on Thursday? Go ahead and leave a comment below.
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