Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Rico Dowdle

Saturday, December 27, 11:25 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine scored a touchdown in the 45-21 win over the Miami Dolphins. While Chase Brown remains the No. 1 option out of the backfield, as expected, Perine has stayed involved by logging double-digit carries in two of his previous four appearances. With a favorable matchup against a weak, injury-plagued Cardinals defense on the horizon, everyone on the offensive side of the ball could benefit from a statistical standpoint. However, despite a higher ceiling than usual, Perine shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a deep-league desperation option in Week 17.

Saturday, December 27, 2:10 PM

Rico Dowdle had nine carries for 29 yards in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also added 14 yards on four receptions, totaling 8.3 PPR points. It was Dowdle's lowest fantasy total in a game since Week 8. Carolina will face the Seattle Seahawks, the NFC's current No. 1 seed, in Week 17. Seattle ranks seventh in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the RB position this season. Over the last four games, Dowdle has been cold, earning 12.4 PPR points or less with only one rushing touchdown. Considering that Seattle is one of the roughest matchups for RBs and Dowdle's underwhelming recent totals, fantasy players should not start the Carolina running back in their fantasy championship games. The Seahawks have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 24 consecutive games.