This late in the season, I am as hesitant as ever to start players on Thursday Night Football. But this week is a little different because both the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are on a normal week’s rest, with each having played on Thanksgiving.
Devin Singletary has been a solid, floor-based RB2/3 all season. Should fantasy managers start him against a tough Patriots defense?
Devin Singletary’s Fantasy Outlook Against the Patriots
Through 11 games, Singletary is averaging 17.8 PPR fantasy points per game. He’s pretty much exactly where he was last season. Although, last season involved him being useless for the first half of the season and an elite RB1 down the stretch.
This season, Singletary has been far more consistent. He’s given fantasy managers two weeks of losing effort against one week of winning effort. Everything else has been somewhere between decent and good.
The Patriots have an excellent pass defense. That might suggest the way to beat them is on the ground. Well, they have an even better run defense.
MORE: Week 13 RB Start/Sit Advice
The Patriots allow the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. They allow just 76.5 rushing yards per game. I’m thinking Singletary’s rushing yards lower might be a good play on Underdog Fantasy.
Furthermore, only one of the Patriots’ four rushing touchdowns allowed has come from the opposing running backs. This matchup is as bad as it gets.
Fantasy managers may be inclined to look to Singletary’s respectable 10.5% target share for a bit of solace. Unfortunately, it’s a bit misleading. Of Singletary’s 40 targets, nine of them came in one game.
He’s seen two targets or fewer in six games this season, including four of his last five. Additionally, just 18% of the receiving yards allowed by the Patriots go to running backs. So, don’t look for any help from Singletary through the air.
Should Fantasy Managers Start Singletary?
Singletary currently checks in at RB26 in our Week 13 running back rankings. His ranking is right in line with what we’ve come to expect all season. Despite the bad matchup, Singletary is unlikely to bottom out. He’s also probably not going to reward fantasy managers with anything spectacular.
Running back is always a challenging position for fantasy managers to navigate. The landscape changes quickly. Injuries rear their ugly head. It can be difficult to sit a guy like Singletary for less certain, more volatile options.
With all that said, I would sit Singletary on Thursday night if possible. Of course, don’t force him to your bench for even more suspect running backs. However, if you have a solid group of running backs and are seriously weighing whether to put Singletary in your lineup, I would err on the side of not doing so, given the matchup.