Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Tyjae Spears

Sunday, December 7, 6:09 PM

Tennessee Titans running back had 25 carries, 161 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 14 win over the Cleveland Browns. His touchdowns came on long runs from 32 and 65 yards out, respectively. Pollard's big performance seemed to come out of nowhere. Over the last three weeks, he struggled to amass more than a dozen touches per game, averaged fewer than 4.5 yards per carry, didn't score a touchdown, and essentially split snaps 50/50 with Tyjae Spears. However, that entire dynamic changed this Sunday as Pollard shattered his previous season-high rushing attempt total (20) and posted his best fantasy performance of the season. Pollard played well early in the game, so it seems like Tennessee simply rode the hot hand and kept him in the game as long as he continued to play well. That same trend should continue in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, and Pollard has the early advantage over Spears given his excellent showing this Sunday. He's back into the RB2 tier for Week 15.

Saturday, December 6, 2:41 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has done most of his work as a receiver so far this season, recording 28 catches for 173 yards on 30 targets across eight games played. The 24-year-old has earned at least five targets in three straight weeks entering Week 14. Unfortunately for Spears, he's been brutal as a rusher over that same span, recording six total rushing yards on nine carries. The Titans are deploying a near dead-even backfield split between Spears and veteran back Tony Pollard. Since the team's Week 10 bye, Pollard has played 95 snaps to Spears' 92. The Titans have a tough matchup in Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns, who enter the week ranked second among NFL defenses in yards per carry allowed (3.7). Spears' receiving work gives him some desperation flex appeal in deep-PPR fantasy leagues, but his production upside is limited in Week 14.