Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. could be playing his final game of the season, while Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry could be playing his final game with the Titans.
Which back will be more productive on Sunday? Let’s break down each player for fantasy football Week 18.
Should You Start Travis Etienne Jr. in Fantasy This Week?
Etienne is coming off one of his best games of the season last week against the Carolina Panthers. The athletic RB finished with 102 rushing yards — just his second 100-yard game of the season — and two rushing touchdowns, which was the fourth time this season he’s scored multiple times.
Last week’s performance helped erase a miserable three-game stretch for Etienne. Before Week 17’s effort, he rushed for a total of 78 yards over three games (26.0 rush yards per game) and less than three yards per carry (2.6).
Overall, it’s been a productive season for Etienne. He ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards (951), rushing touchdowns (11), and scrimmage yards (1,397).
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Along with wanting to lead the Jaguars to the playoffs, Etienne needs 49 yards Sunday to become the first Jaguars player with consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Maurice Jones-Drew did it in three straight seasons from 2009-2011.
He should be viewed as a solid start in Week 18 with so many other unknowns at the RB position due to injury or players resting.
Should You Start Derrick Henry in Fantasy This Week?
Henry doesn’t have to worry about the playoffs with his Titans being eliminated from the postseason race weeks ago. Additionally, he doesn’t have to worry about trying to reach 1,000 rushing yards on the season, since he took care of that last week against the Houston Texans.
What should motivate the veteran running back is the fact that this could be his final game in a Titans uniform.
Henry, who is second behind Eddie George for most rushing yards in franchise history (9,349), had his sixth game this season last week with fewer than 50 rushing yards and zero TDs. That is the most since he became the Titans’ full-time starter in 2018.
As great as Henry has been for Tennessee in his career, those are difficult numbers to get behind for fantasy football managers trying to decide which running back to start in Week 18.
Using Pro Football Network’s Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Etienne is the player to start. His projected 19.1 points include 92 rushing yards, with four receptions for 35 yards. His projected stat line outperforms Henry’s 11.1 points.
Henry is projected to finish with 51.4 rushing yards, with one reception for seven yards.
My ranking for the two running backs aligns with the consensus. Etienne is finishing the season strong, and that should continue in the season finale.
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