Who Should I Start? Ameer Abdullah or Kimani Vidal

Sunday, December 22, 10:00 PM

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah rushed seven times for 38 yards and a touchdown in his team's 19-14 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. He added 47 yards on 5-of-6 receiving. The 31-year-old was again heavily involved in the passing game, racking up his second straight game with at least six targets. Abdullah was the team's second-leading receiver in every statistical category behind sensational rookie tight end Brock Bowers and scored a touchdown for the second straight game. Despite backfield mate Alexander Mattison piling up five more carries, Abdullah out-gained him by 11 and ran for 5.4 yards per carry to 2.3 for the latter. With solid involvement through the air seemingly intact, the tenth-year veteran is an intriguing FLEX option in PPR formats. He'll be as such next Sunday in a road meeting with the New Orleans Saints.

Thursday, December 26, 7:14 PM

Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal could end up in the starting role in a Week 17 game against the New England Patriots. Starter J.K. Dobbins (knee) has missed four games and is listed as questionable for this matchup and fill-in starter Gus Edwards (ankle) has already been ruled out. There's a chance that Dobbins is able to return and if he does he'll likely lead the backfield, but if Dobbins is also ruled out or limited in the game, Vidal would rise to the top of the depth chart and share it with Hassan Haskins. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on pre-game warmup reports, if Dobbins can't suit up, Vidal could be a solid RB2 option with a rather high floor.