Correlation Play - Wild Card Weekend's Top RB & D/ST Duos
Here are the top running back and team defense duos of the week:
RB Giovani Bernard & Cincinnati Bengals D/ST (vs. Steelers)
The Steelers own a stingy run defense, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards on the season. This should negate the one-dimensional Jeremy Hill, who can't pass protect or run routes out of the backfield.
With Bernard in the backfield, Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has the choice to run the rock or pass the ball. Bernard had a YPC average more than a full yard better than Hill and he also caught 49 passes, which adds great PPR value.
Cincinnati will look to establish some sort of consistent ground game in order to help the inexperienced AJ McCarron under center. Combine that with a 59 percent chance of rain and the air attack will surely come second.
Marvin Lewis' defense was once again one of the league's best. Led by Pro Bowl safety Reggie Nelson, the Bengals forced 21 interceptions - third-most in the NFL.
Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best QBs in the game, but he struggled down the stretch. Big Ben had six touchdowns and seven interceptions over the last four games of the regular season. In two games this season against the Bengals, he threw only one touchdown and four interceptions.
His star WR Antonio Brown also has his fair share of struggles against Cincinnati. He had seven catches for 87 yards in Week 14 and six catches for 47 yards in Week 8. It seems to be the only defense that can slow down this electric duo, and the cold weather should only help both defenses.
RB Adrian Peterson & Minnesota Vikings D/ST (vs. Seahawks)
Peterson was easily the best running back in the NFL this year. His matchup this week against Seattle also make him an excellent contrarian.
Seattle had the top rushing defense in all of football, yet they still had six games in which their opponent racked up 100 or more yards on the ground. Peterson himself had seven 100-yard rushing games.
The weather is supposed to dip to zero degrees Fahrenheit in Minnesota on Sunday, giving a huge advantage to running games and defenses in a potential low-scoring game between two of the top defensive units in the NFL. Mike Zimmer's squad allowed only 18.9 PPG, good for fifth-best in the league.
Despite being five-point underdogs, being at home in the playoffs give's Minnesota a huge advantage in what should be a smashmouth type of football game.
RB Eddie Lacy & Green Bay Packers D/ST (at Redskins)
The Redskins are the only playoff team with a bottom-10 run defense. Their 1,962 rushing yards allowed was the seventh-most in the NFL.
While he's been inconsistent as ever this season, Lacy will be fed the ball in order to exploit Washington's weakness. With Aaron Rodgers having a down year from his standards, they've become as run-first team all season. Green Bay ranked 25th in passing yards and 12th in rushing yards this season.
With James Starks going through some major ball security issues, DFSers shouldn't be concerned about Lacy losing carries or snaps.
Kirk Cousins was exceptional in his first full season as a starter, but it's always risky trusting an inexperienced quarterback making his playoff debut. The Packers defense allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards and their 80.1 QB rating against was the seventh-lowest rating in the NFL.