Game day update: Melvin Gordon erupted for one of his best games this season last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran running back had a season-high 131 rushing yards and scored 14.2 fantasy points. It was the sixth time that Gordon recorded double-digits fantasy points.
Meanwhile, Phillip Lindsay has struggled to replicate what he did last season as a rookie. This season, Lindsay only has produced one 100-yard game (101 in Week 6) and one touchdown, which happened in Week 8.
Out of the two, Gordon seems like the better play against a Panthers’ defense, which hasn’t allowed a double-digit performance in two games. ESPN projects Gordon and Lindsay to score 9.0 and 7.3 fantasy points.
The Broncos will be taking on the Carolina Panthers in Week 14 and will face a defensive unit that has allowed the sixth-most points to opposing running backs this season. The team has struggled to make things happen through the air and may look to the rushing game to help get them to their first win in three weeks. Will Melvin Gordon or Phillip Lindsay be worth adding to your starting lineup this week? We break down the fantasy analysis below.
Fantasy Football analysis: Broncos RBs Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay
Just when fantasy owners had likely given up hope for Melvin Gordon this season, he blew up for 131 yards on 15 touches against the Chiefs in Week 13. He added one reception for 11 yards and was able to have a decent fantasy outing despite failing to find the end zone. Averaging 8.7 yards per carry in Week 13, Gordon showed that he still has some gas in the tank and can put up big numbers when given the opportunity. It remains to be seen if the Denver coaches will reward Gordon’s performance with a larger share of the workload, but he is worthy of RB2 status in this plus matchup regardless.
While Melvin Gordon exploded in Week 13, Phillip Lindsay flopped when given a nearly identical workload. He managed only 26 yards on 14 carries to average 1.8 yards per carry. The coaches seem committed to keeping this backfield as a committee at the moment, but Lindsay may be skating on thin ice. If Gordon gets off to a hot start in Week 14, the coaches could decide to ride him and leave Lindsay in the dust. The matchup may be good, but our confidence in Lindsay’s ability to capitalize is lacking. Leave him on the bench this week.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Start Melvin Gordon as an RB2
Sit Phillip Lindsay