Fantasy Football Player Notes

Michael Carter is a flex/RB2 play this week. Last week, he played 53.6% of the snaps with a 51.5% route share, finishing with 11 carries and 65 total yards. Over the last two games, he has averaged 14.5 touches and 70 total yards. Carter got most of the backfield work last week, but Emari Demercado was also involved, and Corey Kiner had both of the team's red zone rushing attempts. I mention it to highlight that Carter isn't the safest play this week, as Arizona will get other backs involved. Carter hasn't been impressive on a per-touch basis, with only a 6% missed tackle rate and 1.59 yards after contact per attempt. Luckily for Carter, that might not matter against Cincy's horrible run defense. If Carter gets the volume, he should produce nicely. Since Week 12, Cincy has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game, the highest explosive run rate, and the fifth-most yards after contact per attempt.

Tony Pollard has been running like a man possessed over the last three weeks as the RB9 in fantasy points per game, averaging 20.3 touches and 125 total yards per game. He isn't going to offer much in the passing game, though. During that span, he has only two targets, one reception, and eight receiving yards. He has rattled off three straight 100-yard rushing performances. Since Week 14, Pollard has been on fire with an 8.3% explosive run rate and a 17% missed tackle rate. Pollard should have success on the ground again this week. Since Week 12, New Orleans has allowed the 11th-most rushing yards per game while having the 12th-lowest stuff rate and sitting at 17th in yards before contact per attempt.