The Los Angeles Rams have clinched a playoff spot in the NFC, and it appears like they will be resting some guys in the final week. They will be playing the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, another team that has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the conference.
For the Rams, starting RB Kyren Williams is sitting as Los Angeles chooses to rest its clear lead option for the NFL playoffs. With Williams out, should fantasy football managers trust Ronnie Rivers or Royce Freeman to be able to step up and get the job done?
Should You Start Ronnie Rivers in Fantasy This Week?
Rivers hasn’t played much of a role for the Rams this season, as he has just 19 carries for 77 yards. He hasn’t gotten a carry since logging six against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 21.
On paper, this isn’t a great matchup for any Rams offensive player, as the 49ers’ defense is as good as there is in the NFL. However, we don’t know yet which players on the San Francisco defense are going to sit out and get some rest.
San Francisco is currently tied for third against the run with Houston (88.5 rushing yards per game allowed), but the team has actually struggled recently to stop the run. Teams have rushed for 132.3 yards per game against the 49ers in the last three weeks, but this is still a very solid defense that could give the Rams RBs fits.
With the Rams sitting their guys, it is going to be tough for this offense to do much on Sunday. Rivers, especially, doesn’t figure to be involved much and is probably best left on fantasy benches for those still playing in Week 18.
Should You Start Royce Freeman in Fantasy This Week?
Like Rivers, Freeman hasn’t really been a part of the Rams’ offense recently. He hasn’t gotten a carry in a game since the matchup against the Washington Commanders on Dec. 17.
While Rivers hasn’t done much for the Rams this year, Freeman has had a couple of big performances.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
When Williams was sidelined and on injured reserve, Freeman had two solid consecutive games against the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, where he rushed for 73 and 77 yards, respectively.
If you have no other options and you are having to choose between these two running backs, then Freeman is your guy. However, if you are still playing in meaningful fantasy football games right now, then I think you probably have better options on your team.
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Rivers is the player to start. His projected 4.6 points include a projection of seven rushing yards, three receptions, and 15 yards. That doesn’t seem like a big stat line, but it outperforms the consensus projection for Freeman (2.7).
First off, the fact that the Optimizer is so low on both of these guys should tell you all you need to know about these two players. This isn’t a good matchup for the Rams, and this game could be very low-scoring. If you have to choose one, I will disagree with the Optimizer and go with Freeman, but I don’t feel confident with him.
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