Throughout the 2012-2013 NFL season, I will be answering some questions that come my way on Twitter in a mailbag. Sometimes, Twitter questions require more than 140 characters to get to the reasoning behind the answer. With week 10 upon us, let’s take a look at what people are asking:
1) Ryan Mathews, Felix Jones, or Isaac Redman? – @bwareofdware
Maybe you’ve lost faith – and I wouldn’t blame you if you have – but I’m holding on by a thread to Mathews. In the six games he’s played this season, he has averaged just under 16 carries a game, a healthy amount. Ronnie Brown steals about five carries a game from him – normal for a chancg-of-pace back – but Brown also steals about five targets per game.
If you added Brown’s 32 receptions and 292 yards to Mathews’ stats, Mathews would have 143.6 fantasy points, sixth most among running backs. This isn’t the case, but it goes to show that all Mathews needs is to be more involved in the passing game to be a RB1 again. And I think he will.
Routes | Targets | % Tgt. | |
Weeks 3-5 | 31 | 17 | 55% |
Weeks 6-9 | 36 | 8 | 22% |
As you can see, Mathews was more of a factor in the passing game his first three games of the season. However, he has actually run more pass routes in his last three games. I don’t think his decreased role in the passing game will be a season-long trend. Look for him to receive more targets this week and top 50 yards through the air.
Redman is tempting because of his 26 carry, 147-yard and 1 touchdown outburst against the Giants last week. However, Jonathan Dwyer figures to be back on the field in week 10 and will likely split duties with Redman. I think it’s reasonable to believe that Redman’s week 9 performance will be the highlight of his season.
Jones figures to have one more week of fantasy relevance before Murray comes back from injury. He’s been doing a respectable job in Murray’s absence because of his receiving, but his rushing abilities are still lacking. He’s averaging just 3.6 YPC. He’ll have a hard time against an Eagles defense that has given up just two rushing touchdowns to backs all season long.
2) Pick 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 Flex – PPR. Forte, Charles, SJax, Reece, Jac. Rodgers, and VJax, Austin, Nicks [sic] – @jrsereda
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Want your question answered in the mailbag? Send your fantasy football questions to Tyler Loechner – @PFF_Loechner
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