Who Should I Start? Kenneth Gainwell or James Cook

Tuesday, December 2, 8:40 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell saw just five carries for 20 yards and secured two of his three targets for 25 yards in a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. After delivering two straight performances as a fantasy RB1, Gainwell logged his lowest snap share since Week 9 and ceded both targets and goal-line work to Jaylen Warren. Though Gainwell should remain involved down the stretch, it's clear that Pittsburgh prioritizes Warren as its primary ballcarrier. In Week 14, Gainwell will face the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, who have held running backs to the sixth-fewest fantasy points per contest and the 10th-fewest yards per carry over the past eight weeks. The game script could make Gainwell a necessary check-down option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but fantasy managers should view him as a risky flex play on Sunday.

Monday, December 1, 12:19 AM

The Buffalo Bills leaned heavily on running back James Cook in their 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Cook handled a career high 32 carries for 144 yards to go along with three receptions (three targets) for a team-leading 33 receiving yards. The 26-year-old did it all for the Bills in a much-needed bounce-back win, and he continues to have an outstanding season after receiving a four-year, $48 million contract extension in the offseason. Cook has seen more work as a receiver lately as well, recording 14 receptions (14 targets) for 136 yards and a touchdown in his last four games. In the first eight games, he totaled 13 receptions (15 targets) for 100 yards and no touchdowns as a receiver. Cook will remain one of the best running backs in fantasy in a dream matchup next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.