Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Jaleel McLaughlin

Sunday, October 20, 8:41 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed 16 times for 61 yards, catching two passes for four yards on six targets in the 24-point loss at Buffalo. It was a disappointing afternoon for Pollard managers, as the former Cowboy could only muster 8.5 fantasy points with the backfield all to himself. Game script changed on a dime in this one, with the first half heavily favoring Pollard as the Titans took a 10-7 lead into the half. Tennessee was then outscored 21-0 over the next quarter and all but abandoned the run at that point. The most promising aspect of this one was that Pollard was second on the team in targets with six, a trend that should continue with how poor the downfield passing attack has been for Tennessee. The Detroit Lions and their stout run defense is on tap for Week 8.

Friday, October 18, 12:21 AM

In the Denver Broncos blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night in Week 7, rookie running back Audric Estime out-carried Jaleel McLaughlin five to four, although McLaughlin out-gained the rookie 35 to 29 on the ground in the 33-10 victory. Estime also lost a fumble. Lead back Javonte Williams was the real winner on the night for Denver's offense with 14 carries for a season-high 88 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year. Estime's five carries were a season-high after seeing two totes apiece in his first two NFL games in Weeks 1 and 6. Although Estime could be in head coach Sean Payton's doghouse after losing a fumble against New Orleans, the rookie's presence in Denver's backfield moving forward is yet another reason why McLaughlin cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups. Neither RB was targeted in the passing game on Thursday.