Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Cam Akers

Saturday, January 4, 10:59 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine will face the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 18. With Isiah Pacheco marked as out and Kareem Hunt listed as doubtful for this week's contest, Perine should handle the majority of touches out of the backfield. The 29-year-old receiving back will face the Broncos, who rank 15th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Despite shouldering the load, Perine's ceiling will be lower with Carson Wentz under center this week. Perine is ranked RB44 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a desperation flex option this week. There is a possibility that Perine is fantasy-relevant through sheer volume on the ground and through the air, but scoring opportunities could be at a premium in this contest. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere.

Monday, January 13, 7:20 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (illness), who was listed as questionable for Monday night's wild-card game in Arizona against the Los Angeles Rams, is active and will be available. Akers popped up on the injury report this week on Saturday due to an illness and did not practice, but he's feeling better on Monday and should serve in his usual role as a change-of-pace option in Minnesota's backfield behind starter Aaron Jones. The 25-year-old will be a touchdown-dependent flex play, at best, against his former team in this one. Akers started the 2024 season with the Houston Texans before being acquired by the Vikings. In his 12 games in Minnesota this year, Akers has averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 5.3 rushing attempts per game, adding 297 rushing yards and three total TDs (two receiving). Unless Jones is hurt mid-game, Akers carries limited fantasy upside as the RB2.