Backup RBs Seize The Day

Yet another Niners RB Injury ...

December 09, 2024

Dec. 9, 2024

PRESENTED BY

Berry and Pete set us up all last week for Sunday’s story before it happened—getting into this year’s fantasy playoffs meant nailing the backfield decisions to seize the day.

Being proactive > reactive for all the dubs …

John Laghezza

Who showed the foresight to make sure they had Zach Charbonnet on the sneak despite KW3 logging a limited practice on Wednesday? Well, Week 14’s current RB1 hit us with shades of peak Muscle Hamster (22-134-2; 7-59-0)—Charbs once again reigning supreme as the king of backup workloads. Congrats on a top-5 fantasy RB as long as Kenneth Walker’s down (more on Charbonnet later).

Maybe you saw Bucky Irving limp to the lockers after a mauling at the paws of the Panthers, wrapped in more ice than my favorite bourbon cocktail. Zigging on that popular zag toward Rachaad White (17-90-1; 2-19-1) landed a top-3 positional finish in a critical spot—no call this weekend showed more wit and intestinal fortitude. To the victor, goes the spoils.

Gotta keep those heads on a swivel, not every scenario found its final destination. Some of us stashed Gang Green’s heir-apparent Braelon Allen all year just for a chance to shoulder the load—only to get out-played and out-snapped, most noticeably at the goal-line by fifth-round rookie Isaiah Davis. Acquiring the lion’s share of Jets backfield touches next week versus the hapless Jags could be a difference-maker come trophy time.

I keep telling myself to go where the ball’s going, not where it’s been.

Last but certainly not least, perhaps you flexed your FAAB frugality all year to empty the clip at just the right time for the Niners’ next-man-up Isaac Guerendo. Patience remained a virtue in a breakout performance (15-78-2; 2-50-0), but like everything else in red in gold this season, nothing comes easy. Guerendo left a blowout (foot) with trainers in the fourth, ceding work to eleventh stringer Patrick Taylor (7-25-1). Luckily, we have honest Kyle Shanahan (visceral gurgling noises) to report on the “possible foot sprain”. We know whatever Shanny says plus $2.90 will get you on the subway …

If we’ve learned anything in fantasy football, it’s don’t rest on your laurels. Stay frosty out there.

What else is in today’s newsletter?

Cooterdoodle Takes Over with some Kendre Miller propaganda.
Watercooler: Josh Allen is out of this world.

WEEK 14 RECAP

Week 14 Fantasy Football Takeaways

by Cooterdoodle

It's time for Pete's Cooterdoodle's Pick Six—a weekly recap column that gives you the biggest and best fantasy takeaways from Sunday's games.

DENNIS ALLEN'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Remember when Kendre Miller was supposed to be the "next big thing" in New Orleans' backfield in 2023?

This year, he's been playing peek-a-boo with fantasy managers—popping in and out and back onto IR. Before this week, Miller missed 11 out of 13 games this season. And while he's been out, Dennis Allen wasn't shy to take cracks at Miller's frequent injuries and work ethic during press conferences.

But before he was fired, Allen's last parting gift to New Orleans was tossing Miller onto IR again before Human Resources could even finalize the paperwork for Allen's termination. And since then, we've been waiting.

Well, The Curse of Dennis Allen was officially broken in Week 14. Miller rushed 10 times for 32 yards and a TD. SWEET, SWEET VICTORY!

Miller even took a few grown-ass men into the end zone with him for his first TD of the season.

If you didn't see it happen live, just trust me. It was hot. There wasn't a dry seat in the house for the 2023 Miller Truthers who finally got to cash in on their "Dennis Allen Ruined Kendre Miller" props.

PAIR YOUR CHARBONNET WITH TDs

Zach Charbonnet really aged like a fine wine, didn't he? We just needed to rest him in the dark cellars of our fantasy benches for 13 weeks first.

Charbonnet was officially uncorked on Sunday when he torched Arizona's defense through the air, ground, wind, and water. Seriously, the Cardinals just couldn't stop him. Charbonnet rushed for 134 yards and 2 TDs, but he also caught 7 passes for an additional 59 yards. Not too shabby for a backup RB who you grabbed off waivers! (Surprise your Hero RB leaguemate with this one simple trick!)

When healthy, Kenneth Walker has finished as the RB15 or better in 6 out of 10 games. And Mr. Charbonnet is just picking up right where he left off.

So if Walker sits again in Week 15, fantasy managers just might have another huge Charbonnet week on their hands … You know … During the FIRST ROUND OF THE FANTASY PLAYOFFS!?

Crack open a bottle of red vino, baby.

SEARCH PARTY OVER—JETTA FOUND!

Until Sunday, we hadn't seen much of Justin Jefferson. He hadn't scored an NFL touchdown since Week 7. WEEK SE-VEN! And his month-long struggle to break 100 yards was crippling fantasy teams everywhere:

Week 10: 5-48-0
Week 11: 6-81-0
Week 12: 2-27-0
Week 13: 7-99-0

But I'm happy to say that we can officially call off the search dogs, because Sam Darnold got that dawg in him and he let it out on Sunday.

Darnold propelled both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison into league-winning territory with their combined 15 receptions for 265 yards and 5 TDs in Week 14. Talk about a dopamine rush!

If you clinched the playoffs on Sunday because of Darnold & Co., congratulations.

But remember, you still need this insane connection to continue through the fantasy playoffs …

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