Playoff RB strategy for teams weak at RB? (1 Viewer)

[Art_VanDalay]

I am in a very deep and challenging 14 team, non-PPR league. With the onslaught of injuries, I have lost my #1 RB and have been managing to survive with R. Grant and Moreno as my RBs while my QB and WR's pick up the slack. As the playoffs approach and realizing that there are a slew of injuries to deal with at all positions, I am guessing other owners out there are also having to start less than optimal lineups at this point of the year when we need production the most.

So in looking at this particular situation, it made me think about making the gutsy call in our upcoming playoffs of riding the matchups and sitting a steady producer like Grant in favor of playing CBuck AND Moreno when the matchups dictate.

Here is the Denver Schedule through most league championship games:

Wk 13 @Chiefs (Rush Rank: 27)

14 @Colts (15)

15 Raiders (31)

16 @ Eagles (8)

Grant's schedule is:

13 Ravens (ranked 6)

14 @ Bears (24)

15 @ Steelers (1)

16 Seahawks (18)

So the thought is to sit a guy like Grant or someone else you have in a similar matchup problem and pair CBuck AND Moreno together to hopefully produce above average production from a subpar rb tandem.

The suggestion is to use CBuck & Moreno weeks 13 and 15. I have never done anything like that, especially in the playoffs. This is not a WDIS thread but more so, what is the thinking of the pool about trying a strategy like this with 2 RBs from the same team that are both getting significant carries in a run first offense vs. subpar defenses? Interested to hear if this is just getting too cute or is it a legitimate strategy in the most important playoff games. What do you think?

 

[packersfan]

The key for the Broncos is they need to play from the front. They aren't a dynamic passing team so if they're forced to play from behind then Moreno's value sinks greatly because he isn't used much in the passing game. So while the Colts' game looks like a good matchup, that's a game which could see the Broncos fall behind and stop running the ball. If that happens, I think Moreno loses nearly all of his value with Buckhalter being a decent RB3 in PPR leagues.

The matchups against the Chiefs (twice) and the Raiders, however, look extremely promising. Moreno has looked real good of late. If he can stay healthy, he could be a strong finisher in the stretch run.

 

[Art_VanDalay]

Thanks Pack and I agree on Moreno but I am more interested in hearing opinions on the idea of both CBuck and Moreno together or other teams with similar time shares when the matchups are extremely good and your regular RB has an very tough one. Is this a viable strategy or too much of a gamble? I use a guy like Grant as the comparison because he is not flashy but has been steady and not great in bad matchups sans the SF outburst. CBuck does get more love in the passing game it seems and against teams like KC, Indi and Oakland, I think it is conceivable that both could have TDs in the same game.

I agree they will most likely be behind in the Indi game but the other two look promising.

 

[packersfan]

Thanks Pack and I agree on Moreno but I am more interested in hearing opinions on the idea of both CBuck and Moreno together or other teams with similar time shares when the matchups are extremely good and your regular RB has an very tough one. Is this a viable strategy or too much of a gamble? I use a guy like Grant as the comparison because he is not flashy but has been steady and not great in bad matchups sans the SF outburst. CBuck does get more love in the passing game it seems and against teams like KC, Indi and Oakland, I think it is conceivable that both could have TDs in the same game. I agree they will most likely be behind in the Indi game but the other two look promising.

I don't think Buckhalter is all that viable in standard scoring leagues and I'd view him as a RB3 in PPR formats barring an injury to Moreno. Using Grant as an example, I could see gambling on Buckhalter over Grant in PPR leagues this week but I think it's risky. The problem with Buckhalter is he isn't the goal-line RB; Moreno is. So you're gambling that he'll get 3-4 receptions each game plus decent rushing yardage to make him a viable starter. Grant has two tough matchups in the next three weeks but he's the only option for TDs and we know Green Bay can move the ball against any defense. So Grant's chances to post a respectable fantasy game are higher in my opinion because he's on a better offense and he has a higher potential to score.

 

[pmark]

In general if I had a steady performer like Grant but was still winning based on the rest of the team picking up the slack, I would stick with the steady performer instead of playing a risky player with more upside. You just need average points out of the R.Grant position. If you do lose, it will be because your normal high scoring QB/WRs didn't perform.

But for the playoffs in wk 15, Grant has a very tough matchup so I would say that he is the more riskier than Buckhalter.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

moreno is unavailable in every league i am in

 

[MCguidance]

moreno is unavailable in every league i am in

I am under the assumption that he already has Moreno and Buckhalter and Grant.I would consider playing Buck over Grant in Grant's toughest matchups, but still would likley have Grant in there as he's the bell cow. JMO. I am starting Moreno this week, but I am in a different position than you. Hoping the KCC matchup pays off.

 

[pecorino]

ya, moreno isn't exactly cheap. and also i am concerned about his durability--not in terms of getting hurt but in terms of hitting the wall. i could see a drop off in his production due to the demanding NFL schedule.

 

[packersfan]

ya, moreno isn't exactly cheap. and also i am concerned about his durability--not in terms of getting hurt but in terms of hitting the wall. i could see a drop off in his production due to the demanding NFL schedule.

He looks like he's found a second wind. I think he may have hit the wall during his three-game stretch of awful performances. He has looked like a completely different RB the past three games, and especially against the Giants last week. I'm still baffled as to why the Broncos don't use him more in the passing game but I doubt that's going to change at this point.