Getty Eagles RB Miles Sanders
Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders was one of the most hyped rookies in fantasy football circles this offseason. Yet, fantasy owners who rolled the dice on the second-rounder out of Penn State were left extremely disappointed a week ago.
Sanders put up a meager 3.7 fantasy points vs. the Washington Redskins. The rookie’s final statistical output was underwhelming to say the least, however that doesn’t tell the complete story.
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Miles Sanders Fantasy Outlook vs. Atlanta Falcons
Eagles RB Miles Sanders struggled in his rookie debut
Sanders nearly matched his complete game rushing output on one carry last Sunday. Sanders took off for a 22 yard touchdown scamper vs. Washington. However, the play was negated due to a holding call that the NFL has since come out and proclaimed, should not have been called.
Had the rushing touchdown counted, Sanders would have finished with nearly 12 fantasy points on the day. Not amazing, but still respectable, and certainly better than 3.7.
Still, Sanders impressed well beyond what the box score may indicate. Sanders showed moxie in pass protection.
Doug Pederson trusted Miles Sanders in pass pro from the jump Sunday.
Sanders’ ability to be effective in the run game as well as in the passing game as a receiver and pass blocker has earned him the trust of head coach Doug Pederson. In return, Sanders out-snapped the next most used running back by 13 snaps.
Atlanta’s Defense was Abysmal in Week 1
The Atlanta Falcons’ opponent last Sunday was the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings attempted only 10 passes in the game, yet somehow came away victorious. That somehow happened to be the Vikings run game, and the Falcons’ inability to stop it.
Minnesota rushed for 172 yards and three rushing touchdowns vs. Atlanta. In fact, the Falcons allowed two running backs to average over five yards per carry in the game. Dalvin Cook finished week one as the fourth-highest scoring fantasy back of the week with 28 points.
These defensive blunders are nothing new to Falcons fans, and have actually become quite the norm in Atlanta recently. The Falcons allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs a season ago.
The Falcons have very little going for them defensively. Making it a perfect game for the Eagles to try to assert their dominance in the run game.
The Penn State product should be given numerous opportunities to flex his fantasy staying power on Sunday night.
Should You Start or Sit Miles Sanders in Week 2?
Sanders is a stud flex-start for the week two tilt of games. However, Sanders should produce up to RB2 standards.
Sanders has a chance to throw a wrench in the Eagles run game philosophy starting this week. For years the Eagles have opted with a running back by committee approach, inserting backs into the game based on the situation. However, Philly has not had a running back of Sanders’ talent since Pederson has come to town.