While the New York Jets and New England Patriots have been limping through games for weeks now, this game still provides some fantasy value at the running back position. Both Breece Hall and Ezekiel Elliott are getting plenty of work for their respective teams, but which player is the right choice for fantasy football managers to start?
We’ll break down each player and let you know the right pick for Week 18.
Should You Start Breece Hall in Fantasy This Week?
The never-ending quarterback drama that has accompanied the Jets since Week 1 has taken away some of the shine from what has been a pretty solid season for Hall.
Hall has over 816 yards rushing and is approaching 1,400 scrimmage yards (currently sits at 1,395). He’s had four touchdowns rushing and four receiving, but it’s his last two games that have been his best back-to-back performances this season.
Two weeks ago, against the Washington Commanders, Hall had just his second career game with at least 90 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving. He added two touchdowns — his first career multi-TD game. Last week, Hall finished with 84 yards rushing, 126 scrimmage yards, and a touchdown reception.
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That’s 179 rushing yards, 317 scrimmage yards, and three scrimmage touchdowns combined over the last two weeks.
For the season, Hall has had five games with at least 125 scrimmage yards. That is the most by a Jets running back since Curtis Martin in 2004.
Hall will probably want to redeem himself for his first outing against the Patriots back in Week 3. He rushed for only 18 yards (on 12 carries) and caught just one pass for nine yards.
Should You Start Ezekiel Elliott in Fantasy This Week?
With Rhamondre Stevenson out since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Elliott has gotten a chance to start the last four games. However, the numbers haven’t been pretty.
Elliott is averaging less than 40 rushing yards per game (39.8) and less than three yards a carry (2.7) over those four games. Still, he has scored a touchdown in three of those four games, including last week in the loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Since Stevenson is still the future for the Patriots at the RB position, it’s entirely possible this could be Elliott’s final game in his first season in New England. So, maybe going out with a splash will motivate the veteran RB.
But will any improved numbers still be enough for fantasy football managers to start him over Hall this week?
Using Pro Football Network’s Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Hall is the player to start. His projected 14.0 points include 51 rushing yards and three receptions for 30 yards. His projected stat line narrowly outperforms Elliott’s 10.6 points.
The Patriot is projected to finish with 47 rushing yards and one reception for seven yards.
My ranking for the two running backs aligns with the consensus. Hall is finishing the season strong, and that should continue in the season finale.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
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