Who Should I Start? Samaje Perine or Tony Pollard

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
5.3 20.2 0.2 1.2 8.7 0.0

Samaje Perine News

Samaje Perine Opens Season As Bengals RB2 Against Tampa Bay

Friday, September 11, 11:16 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine will operate as the team's RB2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. Chase Brown is the clear RB1 of the team, but that does not mean that he will take all of the opportunities out of the backfield. Perine will get the opportunity to mix in, especially on passing downs. Over the past five years, Perine has been one of the most efficient running backs on a per-target basis so it stands to reason that Cincinnati will want to get him involved in the passing game. There could be a lot of passing involved in the game against the Buccaneers this Sunday. With a 50.5-point over/under, Vegas is projecting a lot of scoring to take place in Cincinnati this weekend. Perine is ranked RB52 in our RotoBaller Week 1 PPR rankings, so he would have to be a desperation flex option for deep leagues only but his contingent upside is among the highest of all RB2s. If Brown goes down with an injury, Perine will step into one of the most valuable roles in the NFL. For now, Perine is likely best served warming the bench for fantasy managers.

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
11.7 62.5 0.4 1.9 12.0 0.0

Tony Pollard News

Tony Pollard a High-Floor Flex Option in Favorable Week 1 Matchup

Saturday, September 12, 5:35 AM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard has been a consistent and durable rusher in recent years, recording at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,250 scrimmage yards in four consecutive seasons. Entering 2026, Pollard once again profiles as the lead back in Tennessee. He's scored just 10 touchdowns over his first 33 games with the Titans, but the team should field its best offense in recent memory in quarterback Cam Ward's second year as the starter. In Week 1, Pollard and the Titans will host the New York Jets. New York struggled to defend the run in 2025, allowing the fourth-most rushing yards (2,371) in the NFL. Given that neither team projects to have a particularly explosive passing game, Tennessee could choose to lean heavily on the run game and give Pollard plenty of work on Sunday. It's hard to bank on Pollard providing high-end production given the questions that remain in the Titans' overall offensive attack, but he profiles as a high-floor flex option for fantasy managers in Week 1.

Samaje Perine vs. Tony Pollard

Still trying to decide between Perine and Pollard? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Samaje Perine is projected to score 5.3 points this week while Tony Pollard is projected to score 11.7 points.