Who Should I Start? Ty Johnson or Kenny McIntosh

Friday, January 24, 10:53 PM

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson remains an unreliable fantasy option ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson has consistently operated as the No. 2 running back behind James Cook, and he has also lost plenty of opportunities to rookie Ray Davis. Outside of an impressive Wild Card Weekend in which Johnson caught a touchdown pass and posted his season-high for rushing yards, the veteran running back has been tough to trust in fantasy football. This week won't be any different. In fact, Johnson's job could get even harder as he takes on a dominant Kansas City run defense. The Chiefs have been lethal against running backs this year, allowing the third-fewest rushing yards, fifth-fewest catches, and fourth-fewest receiving yards to the position during the 2024 regular season. Furthermore, they didn't surrender a single receiving touchdown to running backs. Johnson makes his biggest impact when he can capitalize on a defense's mistakes, such as two weeks ago against the Denver Broncos when he made a phenomenal touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. Against a stout, well-coached Chiefs defense, that won't be easy to do. Fantasy managers and bettors may want to look elsewhere for production at the running back position, though your options are certainly slim with just four teams left in the playoffs.

Saturday, January 4, 4:29 PM

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh remains the backup to Zach Charbonnet heading into Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. McIntosh played just 25 percent of the offensive snaps last week, rushing seven times for 46 yards on the ground. He was highly efficient but took a backseat to Charbonnet, as expected. McIntosh's efficiency could earn him some extra snaps against the Rams, but he's still expected to be the clear No. 2 option behind Charbonnet. The 24-year-old ranks as a low-end RB4 ahead of his matchup against a Rams defense allowing the 11th-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2024.