Who Should I Start? Alexander Mattison or James Cook

Sunday, September 24, 8:53 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison carried the ball 20 times for 93 yards and added five receptions for 32 yards in the team's Week 3 loss. Mattison handled a hefty workload in this one, but that was with newly acquired Cam Akers being inactive. He still figures to be the lead back moving forward, but fantasy managers should expect a decrease in his value when Akers gets implemented into the Vikings offense. Moving forward, the 25-year-old looks like more of a FLEX option if he does in fact see a reduced role in an already pass-heavy offense.

Monday, September 25, 12:47 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook took 15 carries for 98 yards with two catches (three targets) for an additional 14 yards in Week 3's easy 37-3 win over the Washington Commanders. The 24-year-old was quiet early on, registering only 28 yards on eight first-half touches, but positive game script may have aided his path following the first half. Cook produced a few 10-yard gains thereafter, spearheading an effective day with a 34-yarder to get inside Washington's five-yard line before veteran power back Latavius Murray eventually reaped the benefits on a touchdown plunge. Though, Cook was given a chance to cash it in himself on the preceding play, and the 2022 second-rounder saw a bit more work in the red zone on Sunday than he had up until this point. Perhaps finally earning some more high-value touches, Cook will be an RB2 with plenty of upside in Buffalo's Week 4 home battle with fellow AFC heavyweight Miami Dolphins.