Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Ashton Jeanty

Thursday, December 25, 3:30 PM

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (illness) will be active for Thursday's road bout with the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, per the team. The veteran appeared on Detroit's practice report on Tuesday, missing the session due to illness. After logging a limited practice on Wednesday, it would seem Montgomery will be able to play anyway, and figures to assume his typical allotment of snaps behind teammate Jahmyr Gibbs as the Lions attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive. Notably, the seventh-year pro has seen his snap count steadily dwindle since Week 11, dropping under 20 plays in each of his last three appearances, compared with just once over the season's first 13 weeks. Correlatively, he'll offer little more than flex appeal with Gibbs dominating time and touches in the backfield.

Sunday, December 28, 7:55 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty was held to single-digit fantasy points in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17. Jeanty has been held to 10 or fewer fantasy points in three of his last four games, disappointing fantasy managers in the playoffs. Despite the great matchup, he had a relatively inefficient day, turning his 16 rush attempts into 60 yards and corralling both of his targets for just 13 yards. The rookie ball carrier was the Raiders' workhorse back, with Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) ruled inactive before gametime, but he did cede some third-down snaps to running back Zamir White in the second half. The Las Vegas Raiders will host the reeling Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, whose defense is a top-10 matchup for opposing running backs. Jeanty still has big play potential and, as the Raiders' bell cow back, should continue to see starting lineups in Week 18.