Who Should I Start? Jamaal Williams or Khalil Herbert

Sunday, January 7, 5:28 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams saw a team-high 14 carries with Alvin Kamara (ankle) on the shelf, but was largely ineffective as he gained just 26 yards on the ground. The veteran also caught three passes for eight yards. Rather than kneeling and running the clock out after an interception that was returned to the one-yard line with a minute left on the clock, the Saints opted to run Williams into the endzone for his first touchdown of the season. Head coach Dennis Allen apologized to Arthur Smith following the touchdown, which Smith was visibly upset with. Williams and the Saints will now await the result of both the Green Bay and Seattle games to see if their season is extended into Wild Card weekend.

Sunday, January 7, 10:31 PM

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert had another chance to see a bulk of the workload with D'Onta Foreman (coach's decision) out again in Week 18. The 25-year-old rushed 12 times for just 28 yards in the team's 17-9 loss to the Packers while also catching two passes for 13 yards. After rushing for 731 yards a year ago, Herbert couldn't take a step forward and ended the year with just 583 yards with similar volume. The Bears drafted Roschon Johnson in 2023, and Herbert failed to separate himself this year as the true lead back for the foreseeable future. While the Bears were a run-heavy team in 2023, which allowed Herbert to thrive at times, they will either endure massive offensive change or continue to have a quarterback who takes rushing opportunities away. Herbert will look to earn a full bell-cow role in 2024.