Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Javonte Williams

Monday, November 24, 1:03 PM

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was held in check by the New York Giants in Week 12, recording 37 scrimmage yards on eight touches in his team's overtime win. The 28-year-old played just 34% of Detroit's offensive snaps against New York, the third time in four games since the Lions' Week 8 bye that he's failed to reach the 40% mark. Once one of the league's most reliable touchdown scorers, Montgomery has now failed to hit pay dirt in five out of his last six games. He's recorded single-digit touches in consecutive weeks and 40 or fewer rushing yards in six out of his last eight outings. All indications suggest that Montgomery is fading into a true RB2 role in Detroit, behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Fantasy managers may want to avoid Montgomery when the Lions will face one of the league's best defenses in the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.

Saturday, November 22, 2:42 PM

Across 10 games this season, Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams has recorded 809 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 161 carries. The 25-year-old has dominated backfield touches in Dallas all year long and should continue to do so even after the Cowboys signed running back Malik Davis to the active roster on Saturday. Dallas has a difficult matchup in Week 12 against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have not allowed an opposing offense to score 10 points since Week 8. Still, Philadelphia's biggest strength is against the pass, as they rank 18th in yards per carry allowed (4.3) and 21st in rushing touchdowns allowed (11) among NFL defenses. In his first matchup of the season against the Eagles in Week 1, Williams recorded 64 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 17 touches. He profiles as a must-start fantasy running back in Week 12.