The Raiders’ backfield has been topsy-turvy all season, but it looks like Sincere McCormick ($4,700) will keep the top spot for Monday. Alexander Mattison ($5,100; ankle) could return, according to coach Antonio Pierce, but McCormick would remain the top back.
Let’s take a look at his fantasy outlook for Week 15 vs. the Falcons with and without Mattison.
McCormick’s emergence
Here’s what coach Antonio Pierce had to say about McCormick:
Antonio Pierce stated that Sincere McCormick will remain the team’s starting running back even with Alexander Mattison nearing a return this week.
“He deserves it. … He has run his tail off.”#Raiders
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) December 11, 2024
McCormick didn’t have a carry in the first 11 weeks of the season but debuted in Week 12 against the Broncos with 33 yards on five carries. Against the Chiefs on Black Friday, he had 64 yards on 12 carries and added two catches for 8.5 fantasy points.
Last week against the Bucs, McCormick had his best game of the season. He took a season-high 15 carries for 78 yards against a tough Bucs’ run defense and finished with 10.9 fantasy points.
Sincere McCormick. Contact balance. Check out the little explosion after the spin. pic.twitter.com/lbjbSSzaTE
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) December 10, 2024
McCormick showed good elusiveness and ability to pick up yards after contact. He’s proven he can do the work if given the chance, so the question becomes will he get the chance this week and can he excel in this specific matchup.
Pierce has a history of switching running backs and riding a late-season bloomer. Last year, that was Zamir White (quad), who is currently on IR. As a former running back, Pierce seems to be ready to reward backs who put in the work with touches, but he did prefer to use a rotation with Mattison and White early in the year.
As far as the matchup, the Falcons have been tough on running backs this season. They have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position, but over the last few weeks, the tide has started to turn a bit. Running backs have only seven total touchdowns against Atlanta, but two have come in its last three games and six in its last seven.
The verdict
The Raiders are four-point home underdogs on Monday Night Football against the Falcons, and McCormick is +100 to score a touchdown, the second-shortest odds in this contest.
McCormick is still priced as a backup in DFS contests that include Monday night’s slate, so he should be a good value in those contests as well.
For season-long leagues, McCormick is a solid FLEX play with or without Mattison. If Mattison is able to return, he becomes a higher risk but still has enough touchdown-dependent upside to be a starter in standard leagues.
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