This week we’re cheering for big days across the board. We have two of the most aggressive running backs getting high-volume carries, a pair of grizzled veterans surpassing their numbers, and a No. 2 receiver abusing single coverage for a touchdown.
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In the Vikings’ 4-0 run through the AFC South (including the last three games), those non-conference teams all decided the best way to stop Minnesota was to double Justin Jefferson. In the last three games, Jefferson hasn’t scored, but Addison has two touchdowns. The Chicago Bears are going to employ a similar strategy and, like they did last year at Soldier Field, will allow Addison to burn a CB2 in single coverage – at three times the payoff.
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Evans is making his return from the first sustained injury of his Hall of Fame career. He has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 10 seasons. Given the hole he’s in after missing all of three games and most of another, in the short-term, Baker Mayfield is going to see if Evans can get closer to hitting that benchmark. Playing a New York Giants team that appears to be throwing in the towel on 2024 by turning to Tommy Cutlets, this number is too low.
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Conner last played the Seattle Seahawks in a game that meant nothing for the 4-13 Cardinals of 2023. He ran 27 times for 150 yards. In two games this season against division opponents, Conner’s number has been called 40 times. In six games with 18 or more carries, he has topped this number five times and topped 100 yards four times. This time, with the chance to put their foot on the neck of the NFC West, Conner should get 20 carries or more.
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There are too many scenarios in which Stafford is going to top this number – a dominant home win, a back-and-forth slugfest, or a crushing defeat. At home, against the hot Philadelphia Eagles, most rankings have Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in the top seven or eight fantasy receivers. The same guy is throwing to both of them – win, lose or tie.
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Isiah Pacheco isn’t coming back this week. The Chiefs are looking to February football. This week, against an over-matched Carolina Panthers, Hunt runs wild. The Chiefs offense should carve up Carolina’s defense early, and — in what they hope is the last start for a street free agent signed only because Pacheco was hurt — Hunt may have 25 or more carries in this game.
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