Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Woody Marks

Saturday, December 13, 12:11 PM

In Week 13, Rico Dowdle totaled 58 rushing yards on 18 carries and 21 receiving yards on two receptions against the Rams. Dowdle finished the game with 9.9 PPR points, which was his lowest since being named the starting RB for Carolina in Week 9. Chuba Hubbard also outperformed Dowdle in that game, registering 20.4 PPR points on 124 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. Hubbard also took the most snaps (59%) between the RBs. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed that Dowdle would be the featured back on early downs and at the goal line. This week, the Panthers face the New Orleans Saints for the second time this season. Against the RB position, the Saints rank 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed. In Week 10 against the Saints, Dowdle had 53 rushing yards on 18 carries with one touchdown. With a continued shared workload, he is likely to remain an RB2 starter with a decent statistical fantasy floor. Over the last four weeks before the bye, Dowdle averaged 12.9 PPR points per game.

Friday, December 12, 9:57 PM

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (knee) missed some practice earlier this week but does not have an injury designation and is ready to go for the Texans' Week 15 matchup against Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed 18 running back touchdowns in 13 games, including eight in the last four weeks. Marks could get more of the workload with Nick Chubb (ribs, questionable) banged up. Marks checks in as the No. 17 RB in RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, so he's a strong RB2 play this week after setting a new career-high with 26 carries last week. He scored his fifth touchdown of the season in the Texans' win over the Chiefs, and he has a much better matchup this week, giving him a good ceiling, especially if he gets all the work in this favorable matchup. He crushed the Titans as the focal point of the offense in a similar scenario earlier this season, and he's a strong start in Week 15.