Once again it is time for the fantasy football Week 4 Running Back Hot Zone where we delve in on all the latest injuries and demotions that muddle the changing of the guard at this very important position.
LEVEL 4
1. Bilal Powell-Chris Ivory (injured): Chris Ivory's latest hamstring injury opened the door for Powell to have a career-day last Sunday in rushing for 149 yards on 27 carries while also catching two passes. Head coach Rex Ryan publicly said that the team will use Powell as their workhorse again this Sunday against a tough Tennessee Titans defense. While not the greatest runner in the world, Powell can move the pile and has receiving ability which adds more value in PPR formats. If Powell continues to perform well, we may not mention Ivory's name again.
2. Jason Snelling/Jacquizz Rodgers-Steven Jackson (injured): It was expected that Snelling would get the majority of carries last week in the first game for the Falcons without Steven Jackson but Rodgers actually got slightly more work overall on the ground. It looks like a classic timeshare split right down the middle which negatively affects both guys' value. Snelling carries some all right value in PPR formats but overall both guys should not be relied on as your starting option this week.
3. Knowshon Moreno-Montee Ball-Ronnie Hillman: On and on it goes for the three-headed Denver backfield. Just when we thought we got some clarity on the situation with Knowshon Moreno rushing for two scores in Week 2 against the New York Giants, we see all three carries virtually match each other in carries in Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders, with Hillman the only one to score. This remains quite possibly the most annoying running back situation in all of fantasy football and despite the talents of those involved, its best to steer clear of this mess.
4. Jonathan Franklin-Eddie Lacy-James Starks: Another week and another injury for a Packers running back. First Lacy suffers a concussion in Week 3 which was followed by the knee injury by Starks last week. Thus the Packers turn to another rookie in Franklin who rushed for over 100 yards last week but whose lost fumble at the end of the fourth quarter cost his team the win. Still Franklin has better receiving skills than Lacy and should be given the majority of carries in Week 4.
LEVEL 3
5. Giovani Bernard-BenJarvus Green-Ellis: It's only a matter of time. That is what I said about the rookie Bernard taking over for veteran BJGE. Bernard's vast ability in both the running and receiving game has already manifested itself with 3 touchdowns the last two weeks. BJGE won't be able to stop this running train from taking off and if Bernard is lingering on any wire, be sure to grab him quick.
LEVEL 2
6. LeGarrette Blount-Stevan Ridley: A changing of the guard in play once again in the New England backfield? Stevan Ridley has not done a thing right this season and as a result first Shane Vereen and now Blount have seemingly moved ahead of him on the depth chart. Blount got more carries than Ridley last week and at least until Vereen returns, could be the guy to own. Either way the Pats running game looks like a no-go for the fantasy football world.
7. Pierre Thomas-Mark Ingram: The Saints have pretty closed the door shut on the terrible Mark Ingram era in naming Pierre Thomas the no questions asked starter. Sensing his place on the bench, Ingram has asked for a trade. Basically Ingram has done next to nothing to ever warrant looking at him in fantasy football terms again, while Thomas has some usefulness in PPR formats due to his pass catching abilities.
There you have it. Let us hear your thoughts on these situations. Also follow us on Twitter at ROTOBOSS.
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