Correlation Play - Week 7's Top Running Back-D/ST Duos
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Here are the top running back-defense/special teams duos of Week 7:
Jeremy Hill & Bengals D/ST (vs. Browns)
Hill has endured a rather disappointing season, averaging just 3.6 YPC and failing to find the end zone in three straight games. Scoring touchdowns is crucial for Hill because he offers nothing in the passing game. These factors have led to a reduced salary, making him somewhat of a contrarian.
The Browns have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards to running backs this season, making Hill an intriguing play. If the Bengals are able to mount a sizable lead, it would likely be Hill, the between-the-tackles runner, to carry the load in the second half rather than Giovani Bernard, the shifty change-of-pace back.
Cleveland's offense is quite abysmal, to be frank. Third-round rookie QB Cody Kessler has a very weak supporting cast around him. The one weapon defenses do have to game plan around, WR Terrelle Pryor Sr., is questionable with a hamstring injury.
LeGarrette Blount & Patriots D/ST (at Steelers)
With Tom Brady back under center and the Patriots' passing game more prominent, Blount is essentially a touchdown-or-bust kind of running back now. Luckily for season-long Blount owners and those willing to draft him in daily fantasy, he has failed to find the end zone in just one game this season.
The Steelers defense is much more susceptible through the air than on the ground, but Blount should be able to return value with a heavy second-half workload if New England is able to build a large lead.
Getting a lead early and holding it shouldn't be a problem considering Landry Jones, not Ben Roethlisberger, will be at QB for Pittsburgh. Bill Belichick-led defenses have been historically unkind to inexperienced QBs. New England's 2016 defense might be their best unit since the early 2000s, and Jones has just two career NFL starts and a career passer rating of 76.
Spencer Ware & Chiefs D/ST (vs. Saints)
The return of Jamaal Charles doesn't seem to be affecting the usage of Ware. Last week he carried the ball 24 times for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. He will have a similarly soft matchup once again this week.
For anyone who thinks there's a worse defense in the NFL than the New Orleans Saints,' I'd like to hear their argument. The Saints are allowing a league-high 33.6 points per game, and rank 31st in pass defense and 26th in run defense.
Though New Orleans does send out a dangerous offense, they could be neutralized this week. In two road games this year they have failed to amass 300 yards of total offense (a mark they have surpassed with ease in each home game). Arrowhead Stadium is a very difficult place to play, so the Chiefs, who are 2-0 at home this year, could run away with this game.