Week 14 at Buffalo Bills
Isaiah Crowell carried the ball 21 times for 98 yards last week against Tennessee. He had a season-high 25 touches and it was the first time all season he carried the ball 20+ times. The Jets will get back rookie QB Sam Darnold this week so you would think they want to continue to ride the running game.
Crowell had a poor game in Week 10 against Buffalo, who is 21st in aFPA to running backs in 2018. He only had carried the ball seven times for 19 yards and actually added 18 receiving yards as well. We expect a better outing this tie around as long as the Jets get Crowell the touches. Start him as a solid RB3 or flex for Week 14.
Week 13 at Tennessee Titans
The Jets basically abandoned the running game last week after they got behind New England. Isaiah Crowell only ran the ball six times for 30 yards although he did have three receptions, yet nine touches isn't a very good number. Crowell also only made in on the field for 41% of the snaps.
Crowell will face the Titans who are sixth in aFPA to running backs. We think the Jets will try to get back to the running game, but they are also splitting carries between Crowell and Elijah McGuire. Couple that with the tough matchup and Crowell should remain on the bench for Week 13.
Week 12 vs. New England Patriots
With Bilal Powell out, you would think Isaiah Crowell's role on the Jets would have increased. However, the team seems to be leaning on Elijah McGuire a little more. Crowell has played only 35% of the snaps the last two games with 23 touches. Those numbers might go down further.
Crowell will face New England who is 17th in aFPA to running backs. With the decreased snaps, Crowell's fantasy value has taken a hit and that puts him on the bench for Week 12.
Week 10 vs. Buffalo Bills
Even with Bilal Powell out for the season, Isaiah Crowell's workload remains the game. He had 14 touches for 60 yards. The Jets offense has struggled with rookie Sam Darnold and that has had a trickle down effect on the New York skill players. Crowell is still capable of a big game so that helps his value.
Crowell will face a Buffalo defense that is ranked 22nd in aFPA to running backs. With a tough Bills pass defense, the Jets might have to lean heavier on the running game. Crowell rates a solid RB3 or a flex for Week 10.
Week 9 at Miami Dolphins
With Bilal Powell out, we figured Isaiah Crowell would get more snaps and more touches. However, he still only played 46 percent of the snaps last week, and Trenton Cannon was actually on the field more. The touches remained about the same and Crowell had the most of any running back for New York. His results were minimal with 28 yards from scrimmage.
The Dolphins are up next and Miami is ranked dead last in aFPA to running backs. Crowell only had 35 rushing yards in the first meeting back in Week 2, but we think this will be a big week for him with the great matchup. Start Crowell as a high-end RB2 for Week 9.
Week 8 at Chicago Bears
Isaiah Crowell only had 12 touches for 50 yards. His rushing yardage was only 29 yards. Crowell had been splitting time with Bilal Powel,l but now Powell is out for the season with a neck injury. This should make Crowell the No. 1 back and he should get more touches.
Crowell will face a very good Bears defense that is 8th in aFPA to running backs. The tough matchup should limit some of Crowell's productivity, but the increase in touches raises his value. Start Crowell as a solid RB2 for Week 8.
Week 7 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Isaiah Crowell continues to split time with Bilal Powell at running back for the Jets and continues to hover around 15 touches per game. Expect this to continue to be the norm for him. He will have big games like two weeks ago and small games like last week.
Crowell faces a stout Vikings run defense that is ranked fifth in aFPA to running backs. The Jets put up 42 points last week, but the numbers for the running backs were nothing crazy. Crowell does have value each week but his fantasy impact is limited to being an RB3 or Flex for Week 7.
Week 6 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Isaiah Crowell had 0 rushing yards two weeks ago. He had 219 yards last week against the Broncos. That's the NFL. Crowell had a 77 yard touchdown run to help the numbers. The interesting part is he had less touches and less snaps than fellow back Bilal Powell.
Crowell will face the Colts this Sunday who are ranked 14th in aFPA to running backs. The trend has been Powell has been RB 1A while Crowell is 1B. Crowell will have some fantasy impact and rates a high-end RB3 or flex for Week 6, but we've now seen the upside.
Week 5 vs. Denver Broncos
Isaiah Crowell took at step back last week with only five touches against Jacksonville. He only played 1/3 of the snaps this week as well. Crowell had a big game Week 1, but since then has had only 69 rushing yards in three games.
Crowell will face the Broncos who are 16th in aFPA to running backs. Part of the problem is it truly is a two-back system, so you don't know who is going to get the snaps or touches each week.
RIght now, we would consider Crowell the cold back. He still does have some fantasy value but only rates as a low-end RB3 or flex for Week 5.
Week 4 at Jacksonville Jaguars
It will be a roller coaster ride for running back Isaiah Crowell. With a rookie QB under center, there will be good and bad days. Crowell had a season-low 34 yards rushing but he did have a season-high 18 touches last week. He is basically splitting time with Bilal Powell who was actually on the field more against Cleveland last Thursday.
Crowell will face a Jacksonville defense ranked 10th in aFPA to running backs. We expect him to continue to get the majority of the touches but it will fluctuate every week. He does have some fantasy value. Start him as a solid RB3 or flex play for Week 4.
