Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne or Michael Pittman Jr.

Saturday, December 21, 11:36 AM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is a decent flex option in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He has been more heavily involved in the passing game as of late and even got more carries than fellow back Tank Bigsby in Week 15. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Etienne Jr. will dominate touches out of the backfield this week. The split between the two backs has been inconsistent all season and more in line with a hot-hand approach. Just two weeks ago, the 25-year-old back had just four carries. Given the unpredictable nature of the Jacksonville backfield, it is hard to trust either running back. Etienne Jr. is best viewed as a solid flex start who should be slightly upgraded in PPR due to his recent pass-game involvement in Week 16 against the Raiders.

Friday, December 20, 10:52 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was a full participant in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old did not practice on Wednesday, but was back to a full participant the following two sessions to close out the week. The 6-foot-4 wideout has dealt with back issues seemingly all season long, but it has cost him just one week of playing time. The former second-round draft pick has been Anthony Richardson's preferred target in the passing game over the last four weeks since being reinstated as the starting QB, averaging over five catches per contest, albeit for just 60 yards per game. The fifth-year pro hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 6, which happened to be against his Week 16 opponent, the Tennessee Titans. Although he found paydirt in that first meeting, he did so on just three catches for 35 yards. With the Titans allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and with Richardson completing less than 50% of his passes on the season, expectations for Sunday's divisional showdown should be tempered. While the Colts are 3.5-point favorites in this one, there is a low expected total of 42.5 and Pittman Jr. projects as a WR4 this week, so hopefully fantasy managers have other options.