Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Audric Estimé

Saturday, January 3, 10:02 AM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) does not have an injury designation heading into the team's week 18 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dowdle appears to be in a 60-40 timeshare with fellow running back Chuba Hubbard, with the latter seeing the vast majority of third downs over the past three games. The Panthers hosted the Buccaneers in Week 16, and Dowdle was held to just 29 yards from nine rushing attempts, but did earn 14 receiving yards from his four receptions off six targets. Even though Dowdle has been absent on nearly every third down over the last two games, he still managed to earn more targets and run six more routes each game than Hubbard. Dowdle profiles as a low-end RB2 against a middle-of-the-road Buccaneers run defense in the 2025 regular season finale.

Saturday, January 3, 12:14 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime delivered the best game of his career in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, handling 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown while adding one catch (one target) for four yards. The Saints leaned more into the second-year back in Week 17 after giving tight end Taysom Hill 16 touches in the final home game of the season in Week 16. Estime broke off a 32-yard touchdown to essentially ice the game for the Saints, and he figures to be a key part of the offense in the season finale against the Falcons, with multiple starters ruled out, including Alvin Kamara (knee). The Falcons rank in the middle of the pack in PPR points per game allowed to running backs this season, but they concede the seventh-most yards per carry (4.6). Estime should be in line for around 15 touches, making him a viable flex option in Week 18.