Getty Gallery: 3/7
Start: RB Marshawn Lynch vs. Seahawks
Sit: RB Wendell Smallwood/RB Corey Clement at Giants
We all remember the Seahawks decision not to give the ball to Marshawn Lynch on the one-yard line against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. Lynch has taken the high road since the Seahawks botched the play call that helped lead to a game-ending interception. The former Seahawks running back may not admit it publicly, but there has to be at least a part of him that wants to stick it to his old team.
Even if there was not a revenge factor, the Seahawks have been one of the worst defenses when it comes to defending the run. The Seahawks are giving up 129 rushing yards per game, putting them in the bottom five teams in the entire league. Former Seahawks teammate Doug Baldwin spoke about Lynch's decision to come back from retirement.
“I talked to him after a Thanksgiving thing with his family, they were out there playing football,’’ Baldwin told The Seattle Times. “He called me and said, ‘Man, I think I’ve still got it.’ I said, ‘Sit your a-- down.’ But that’s what he wanted to do. He loves the sport. I think the thing that he missed most was the locker room. He missed being around guys who are like-minded, who are striving for something. That part is hard to separate yourself from when you’re away from the game.”
Whether it is a small taste for revenge or just a plus matchup, all signs point to Lynch having a monster game against his former club.
Jay Ajayi's Injury Leaves Lots of Uncertainty in Philly
The Eagles backfield is hard to predict with as many as four running backs in the mix. We recommend picking up both Smallwood and Clement in leagues where they are available. Just because you pick up a player off waivers does not mean you have to put them in your lineup.
As of now, it looks like Smallwood will get the first chance to win the job. Clement is also expected to be in the mix. It is this uncertainty that makes the entire Eagles backfield a pass this week. If either Smallwood or Clement emerges as fantasy relevant after Week 6, then you can feel more comfortable putting them in your lineup moving forward.
My fear is the team is going to go with a Running Back by Committee approach which means fantasy owners will not know which running back to start from week to week. If you are desperate to start someone at flex, Smallwood would be the guy, but I prefer to avoid the whole backfield for this week. It sounds like the Eagles players are expecting a committee approach which is not great for fantasy purposes.
"That's kind of been our approach, even with Jay, even when he was playing," Carson Wentz told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He was always the starter. He was always the guy. But we've always been 'by committee' around here...We feel confident in these guys stepping up. We've seen Wendell step up the last couple weeks and make plays. Getting Corey back out there, that will be big for us. Josh is going to have to increase his role as well. Sproles, as well, hopefully coming back sometime soon."
Smallwood and/or Clement are worth a flyer in large DFS tournaments this week. As for season-long fantasy, it is best to leave all the Eagles running backs on your bench.