LeSean McCoy Has Best Fantasy Football Matchup This Week
By Dennis Moody
Against the Cleveland Browns this week, LeSean McCoy Has Best Fantasy Football Matchup
Isaiah Crowell has been a sneakily decent fantasy player this year for leagues that have flex spots. He has the 25th highest average points per game for a running back. Duke Johnson Jr. steals a few carries from him each week but Crowell gets the lion’s share of the touches. He could be having a better year if Cleveland wasn’t behind in every game which has caused them to need to pass the ball rather than use their rushing attack.
Crowell had a big game last week with 113 yards rushing but that was on just 10 carries with 42 yards coming on one rush. He’s got to be pretty excited going up against a Buffalo defense which lets up the 28th most rushing yards per game and has been torched for over 200 yards by an individual back twice.
Despite Buffalo’s struggles on defense, I wouldn’t start Crowell. His 113 yards last week was more than he had in the five games prior to that where he totaled just 110 yards rushing. He does have added value in PPR leagues with his 33 receptions on the year and 299 yards receiving.
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LeSean McCoy’s matchup this week is just about as good as it gets. Cleveland lets up the second most rushing yards per game. The San Francisco 49ers are the only team worse and McCoy had his best game of the season against them with 140 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
He’s just 24 yards shy of his fifth 1,000 yard season in his career and last weeks rushing touchdown gave him double-digit touchdowns on the ground for just the second time.
Look for Shady to have a huge game against the Browns this week as the Bills players and coaches know their jobs are on the line after back to back losses. The Bills need to put forth their best effort because the playoffs still remain a possibility even if it’s extremely remote.
Rex Ryan is a “players coach” and McCoy has mentioned he would like Rex to stick with the team. With a big game this week Shady can help Rex attempt to keep his job. The Cleveland running defense is the perfect prescription for the Bills recent woes and McCoy should be the biggest beneficiary of that.
McCoy’s backup Mike Gillislee should also be able to contribute in the running game but if you are planning on playing him you’re really just gambling on whether or not he will find the end zone which he has done six times this year. Hey, they don’t call him “Touchdown Mike” for nothing.
Next: Start Buffalo Bills Defense In Fantasy Football This Week
If you have McCoy, you should expect a big week. Crowell remains a sketchy start but I would advise against playing him if you can avoid it. Mike Gillislee is a complete gamble and if you are still alive in your fantasy playoffs, you should have a better option on your roster than him.