Swift and the Chicago offense have been a disaster so far this season.
While hopes were sky high for the skill players, the offensive line
has underachieved, and Caleb Williams has struggled mightily. The
Bears need to get this run game going to help out their rookie,
and the tissue thin Indy run defense is the cure. The Colts have
been blasted by opposing runners this season, and it’s now
or never for Swift.
Even before Tajae Spears injured his ankle, Pollard was running
as the RB1 in this offense. He’s looked more powerful and
elusive another year removed from his broken leg, and should soak
up even more touches with Spears hobbled. At 5.1 yards-per-carry,
the Green Bay run defense is a bottom-five unit, and the Titans
need to keep the pressure (and maybe even the ball) off Will Levis.
Look for Pollard and the run game to move the ball in Week 3.
I know the stench on this Panther team is overwhelming, but with
Andy Dalton now running the offense, Dave Canales should be able
to deploy Hubbard the way he intended. Hubbard was quietly solid
last week, rushing for 64 yards on only 10 carries, and catching
four of his five targets. The Raiders have been BRUTAL on run
defense, letting opposing backs rush for a hefty 6.1 yards-per-carry
average. I expect Carolina to be more competitive this week, which
keeps the running game in play for four quarters.
All offseason we were led to believe White would be the early
down thumper for the Raiders. The offensive line has failed to
win at the point of attack, and Vegas is 30th in the NFL with
only 19.5 attempts per game. Alexander Mattison has both scores
by running backs and until the team commits to the running game
it’s hard to count on White right now, despite a solid matchup.
After being one of the most inefficient backs in the NFL last season,
White continues to plod along. His yards-per-carry average has sunk
so low (2.0) it almost time to break out the ruler and measure his
carries in feet gained instead of yards. To make matters worse he’s
nursing a groin injury, and rookie Bucky Irving has demonstrated
much more pop and sizzle. His passing game work will be his bread
and butter but his standard league value is nearly nonexistent.
Despite a great “on paper” matchup against a Bucs
front that’s very banged up, I just can’t muster any
confidence in Williams. He’s got 40 rushing yards in two
games, has no burst with only a 2.1 yards-per-carry average, this
backfield is a full-fledged rotation, and they just lost tackle
Mike McGlinchy to injury. Bo Nix is pressing, and the offense
has been way to pass heavy. Maybe in the 2nd half this offense
figures it out, but right now there’s not a single Bronco
skill player worth starting.
