Who Should I Start? Alexander Mattison or Jerome Ford

Saturday, December 21, 2:52 AM

Las Vegas Raiders running back Alexander Mattison (neck) is expected to play in Week 16, when his team will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. We're just a few games away from finally wrapping up the rollercoaster of misery that has been the Raiders backfield in 2024. With RB Zamir White (quad) still on injured reserve and Sincere McCormick (ankle) out for the season, it looks like Mattison will split touches with fellow RB Ameer Abdullah. It's hard to say which one will out-snap the other, but having watched the Raiders this season, it will probably be some kind of committee. We don't expect Mattison to have a ton of fantasy value, as it appears Abdullah is the better pass-catcher, and neither will have a ton of TD upside. The former Minnesota Viking should probably be left on the bench.

Friday, December 20, 5:43 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford found the end zone on a 62-yard rush in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. He will take over as the Browns' starting running back after Nick Chubb (foot) was lost for the remainder of the season with a broken foot. Ford will take on a Cincinnati defense that is allowing the 17th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. With the Browns slated to give quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson his first start of the season, there's a chance they could lean on the run a bit more than usual against the Bengals. That, plus his ability in the passing game, puts Ford in play as a solid RB2 in fantasy heading into Week 16.