DFS: Debate Team - Is Todd Gurley a Top-10 RB in Week 5?
Each week, two of theScore's DFS experts weigh in on a contentious daily fantasy topic. This week: Is St. Louis Rams RB Todd Gurley a top-10 option at his position in Week 5?
David Chernish: Todd Gurley is a top-10 DFS RB option in tournaments this week. The guy is a beast and will continue to dominate defenses; at his value, he's a reasonable RB2.
Tre Mason will merely be a change-of-pace option for the Rams and Benny Cunningham will take the backseat while Gurley receives the majority of the workload.
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has to run the ball versus the Green Bay Packers, and I could see a 60/40 run pass ratio - inflating the rookie's value. I'd fade Gurley in cash games while on the road in Week 5 against arguably the best team in the NFL, but definitely fire him up in tournaments.
Josh Wegman: There's no denying Gurley's unbelievable talent that made him a top-10 pick in last year's draft, but this week poses a terrible matchup for him against the Packers.
Green Bay has surrendered the second-fewest rushing yards to running backs in the entire league to this point. Since allowing 141 yards to Matt Forte in Week 1, Green Bay has held Marshawn Lynch, Jamaal Charles and Carlos Hyde each under 50 yards rushing.
They have an opposing front seven lead by a slimmed down B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews and the ageless-wonder Julius Peppers that could pose problems for the rookie runner.
David Chernish: The Packers' defense is fantastic, but Fisher will find a way to free up Gurley - whether in the run or the pass game. The Rams lack a feature offensive player, and Gurley could be just what they need.
The game plan will revolve around Gurley, who scorched a top-10 Cardinals defense for 146 yards last week. That Cardinals defense, like the Packers you stated above, held Forte and Hyde to similar numbers this year - 61 yards and 51 yards rushing, respectively.
Fisher will ride the hot hand, opening the door for Gurley to rush for over 100 yards this week.
Josh Wegman: While Jeff Fisher and OC Frank Cignetti will do everything in their power to get the ball into the hands of their No. 1 weapon, my worry is the potential of the game flow.
Part of what makes the Packers' run defense so good is their offense. The last time Aaron Rodgers was picked off at home, Steven Jackson was still putting up 1,000-yard rushing seasons in St. Louis. Their offense protects the football, kills the clock and forces teams to play come-from-behind football. Green Bay ranks fifth in the league in time of possession; St. Louis is second-last.
The Rams have the best defensive line in the NFC, but this is still a perennial MVP candidate we're talking about here. Rodgers' ability to avoid the rush is second to none. Put that together with his lighting quick release and he is one tough man to sack - he has only been brought down six times this year.
Green Bay could jump out to an early lead and force the Rams to go to the air late in the game. Keep this in mind: Gurley was a non-factor in the first three quarters of last week's game, then had over 100 yards in the fourth. Gurley probably won't have a chance to carry the ball 19 times like he did last week.
David Chernish: Rodgers is a perennial MVP candidate, but he's still human. Rodgers will have at least one bad game, and this weeks matchup could very well be it.
The game flow is always an issue whenever a team faces the Packers. But bear in mind that St. Louis upset Seattle in Week 1 with its stout defensive play and game clock management. Fisher is no stranger to managing a football game, and now has the star running back he was missing through the first two weeks.
Gurley is in rhythm after just two career games. The rookie amassed 100 yards in one quarter while his team was clinging onto a 17-15 lead. After only gaining two yards in the first half, he broke off runs of 20, 23, 30 and 52 yards.
Gurley represents fantastic return on investment this week, and is the only RB at his price tag to be the centerpiece of his offense.
Josh Wegman: With the rhythm he's in right now, it's difficult imagining Rodgers having a tough game, especially at home.
I do believe Gurley will have an exceptional career - and possibly a good enough season to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year - but I don't believe this is the week for him, especially with you consider that other rushers have more intriguing matchups.
Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon may be unproven, but he's been getting better as he learns the pro game and put up 100 yards on the ground against the Colts last week. He has an extremely favorable matchup this week against a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the third-most rushing yards in the league and has a very good chance to score his first NFL touchdown.
Perhaps the best value play at running back this week is Alfred Morris. He's yet to score a rushing touchdown this season, yet, the Redskins face the Falcons this week who have allowed a league-leading seven rushing touchdowns.
Keep your eye on Gurley in the long term, but steer clear of him this week.