RADIO
It seems that no matter who gets hurt in New England, there has always been someone ready to step up and produce in the absence. In 2008, Matt Cassel replaced Tom Brady Week One and led the Patriots to an 11 win season. Although a little less dramatic, this year it's running back LeGarrette Blount's turn to fill in for the injured Dion Lewis.
After Lewis injured his ACL last week against the Washington Redskins, Blount exploded for 129 yards on 29 carries and one touchdown. Blount's workload will now be heavily increased for the remainder of the season. There is speculation that second-year running back, James White, will see a large boost in playing time, but that shouldn't worry fantasy owners of Blount.
White lacks experience and has not proven his worth yet, rushing for only 15 yards all season. Blount scored three touchdowns Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, numbers he is more than capable of replicating on a potent offense. The Patriots face the New York Giants this week. In each of their last five games, the Giants have allowed over 100 rushing yards, and have given up the 12th most fantasy points to running backs this season, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Tom Brady will likely to attempt to pick apart the weak Giants secondary as well, but expect the four-time Super Bowl champ to seek revenge against the team that has had his number, and exploit all their weaknesses. Blount is a solid RB2, and should be started in any league, this week and moving forward.
Pittsburgh has shared a similar success with substitutions. Backup quarterback, Landry Jones, has won two games in the absence of Ben Roethlisberger, and now backup running back, DeAngelo Williams, looks to continue his production in a role he's become familiar with this season.
Williams replaces Le'Veon Bell for a second straight week, and third time overall, facing the lowly Cleveland Browns in a matchup that should make fantasy owners of Williams salivate and rub their hands together. The Browns have allowed 147.6 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown per game, an NFL worst, according to Yahoo! Sports.
In his three starts in place of Bell, Williams is averaging 124.7 yards rushing, 25 receiving yards, and 1.7 touchdowns. He has certainly risen to the occasion, and is expected to heavily contribute on a team without their starting quarterback or running back. In a backup role, Williams is nearly invisible, but when he starts, he is as dangerous as any back in the league. Williams is locked in as an RB1 for the rest of the season.
