This week my co-worker, Jeff Krisko, suggested that starting Tevin Coleman is the smart fantasy football play. With our Fantasy Football Counterpoint, I’d like to take a look at Jeff’s pick and offer up an alternative option. For this week, I’ve decided to go into the way back machine and start Adrian Peterson.
First off, I am finding it difficult to argue with picking Tevin Coleman. Frankly, I want to start Tevin Coleman almost as much as I want to start Adrian Peterson. This season, Coleman is averaging 4 targets and 3 receptions a game, with an average of 11.2 yards per carry. In addition to those numbers, he is seeing 31% of the carries for the rushing offense. In short, Tevin Coleman gets a lot of opportunities to produce in the Atlanta Falcons offense.
When you look at his match-up this week against the New England Patriots, it is hard not to start counting your fantasy points. The Patriots are pathetic when it comes to defending the run. And what the Patriots are the worst at defending is what Tevin Coleman excels at.
The Patriots have given up the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs in standard scoring leagues But of those splits, they have given up the most touchdowns to receiving running backs. They have also given up the most receptions to running backs. And in case you didn’t guess, they give up the most yards to receiving running backs. Basically, they are going to give up a lot of points to Tevin Coleman.
As much as I like Tevin Coleman this week, the guy who has really caught my attention Adrian Peterson. It has been a couple of years since AD has been fantasy relevant, but in week six he had 26 carries for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. What is more impressive is he did this against a team that has allowed the 11th fewest fantasy points to running backs in standard scoring leagues.
This week, Adrian Peterson gets to face the Los Angeles Rams. To date, the Rams have given up the most fantasy points to running backs in standard scoring leagues. Of those splits, they have given up the 4th most rushing yards and the most rushing touchdowns. This is a match-up that was made for AD. Frankly, if you don’t trust Adrian Peterson to have a big game against one of the worst fantasy defenses against running backs, why are you even rostering him?
With this weeks Fantasy Football Counterpoint, there are a couple of really interesting options at running back. Jeff recommended Tevin Coleman and I could not agree more. He should be a monster this week, especially in PPR leagues. But I think the running back that is the most exciting this week is Adrian Peterson. Whether you start Adrian Peterson or Tevin Coleman, you should find yourself with an ideal position advantage in your fantasy football match-up.
