Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Rhamondre Stevenson

Sunday, November 2, 7:23 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle had 25 rushing attempts, 130 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 9 win over the Green Bay Packers. He also caught two of his three targets for an additional 11 receiving yards. Dowdle was named the official lead back ahead of this week's game, and he wasted no time confirming the coaching staff made the right decision with his role. He averaged at least 4.65 yards per carry for the fifth consecutive week, bringing his season total to 5.61 YPC. After being somewhat of a non-factor through the first four weeks of the season, Dowdle has suddenly emerged as a potential league-winner in fantasy football. He is the RB3 in PPR leagues over the last five weeks, as well as the overall RB9 over the full nine weeks since the season began. He has a firm grasp on the No. 1 role in Carolina and should be deployed as a strong RB1 option in fantasy football ahead of next week's game against the New Orleans Saints.

Friday, October 31, 1:27 PM

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) will not play on Sunday against the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 9, according to head coach Mike Vrabel. This was the likely result after Stevenson failed to practice all week after picking up a toe injury in the Week 8 win over the Cleveland Browns. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson had another fumble last week, but he also broke out with 75 rushing yards against a good Cleveland defense, and he'll be firmly in play as an RB2 for fantasy managers this weekend against Atlanta with Stevenson officially out. It's unclear if Stevenson will be on track to return for a Week 10 date against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, but he will definitely need to get back on the practice field first. Henderson will serve as New England's clear-cut RB1 for the first time this weekend, with Terrell Jennings expected to back him up.