Week 6 at Dallas Cowboys
After being signed earlier this week, Jamaal Charles will be on the field and see playing time on Sunday in Dallas. After a terrific nine years with the Chiefs, he wasn't very productive last season with the Broncos. WIth Denver he appeared in 14 games, carrying the ball 69 times for 296 yards and one TD. Charles is 31 and has been slowed the past few years due to knee injuries. He will be used to spell T.J. Yeldon, but don't bother inserting him in to your fantasy lineup.
Week 12 at Oakland Raiders
Against the Bengals last Sunday, Jamaal Charles ran for just 7 yards on 3 carries. C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker combined for 27 rushing attempts in the loss. The Broncos have a new offensive coordinator in Bill Musgrave, but that won’t help Charles’ fantasy value. He finished with 33 yards on 5 runs in the previous meeting with the Raiders this season, but there is no reason for him to even been on a roster.
Week 11 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Denver offense has scored no more than one TD in the past seven games, and has struggled to move the ball in most of those contests. Last Sunday night versus the Patriots, Jamaal Charles carried the ball 8 times for 38 yards. He has not been over 50 total yards since Week 3. Between the lack of productivity and the RBBC approach with Charles, C.J. Anderson, and Devontae Booker, there isn’t much value in any of the Denver backs. Charles should not be started, even facing a Bengals defense that is No. 27 against the run.
Week 10 vs. New England Patriots
With the Broncos well behind last week in Philadelphia, Jamaal Charles carried the ball 4 times for 1 measly yard and caught 4 passes for 23 yards. Denver’s offense continues to have problems, regardless of who is at quarterback. In the past four games, Charles has totaled 88 yards. Even though the Patriots defense has been vulnerable this year (last in yards allowed), there has to be a better RB option for you to start.
Week 9 at Philadelphia Eagles
Facing his former team in Kansas City last Monday, Jamaal Charles’ first-quarter fumble that was returned for a score set the tone for the Denver offense. While Charles finished with 39 yards on 8 rushes, he has just the lone TD on the season; and, it was Devontae Booker who got the rushing TD versus the Chiefs. The Eagles are tops in the league versus the run, so there’s no reason to start Charles.
Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs
Denver rushed for only 69 yards last Sunday, with Jamaal Charles being held to 2 yards on 4 carries. He did catch 4 passes for 20 yards, but Charles just isn’t receiving enough touches for him to be of any fantasy value. He’ll face his former team in the Chiefs on Monday Night, so you know he’ll want to have a good outing. While Denver may give Charles some more playing time with the added incentive, look elsewhere for a starting RB.
Week 7 at Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos rushed for just 46 yards last Sunday against the Giants, with Jamaal Charles leading the team with 19 yards on 5 carries. After being a bigger part of the offense the first three games, now that Devontae Booker has returned, Charles has only 12 total touches the past two contests. He finished with 40 yards on 10 carries in the previous meeting with the Chargers this season, but he just isn’t seeing enough action to warrant a fantasy start.
Week 6 vs. New York Giants
Two weeks ago versus Oakland, Jamaal Charles finished with 5 rushes for 33 yards and also caught a 14-yard pass. In his first four games with the Broncos, the veteran has 33 touches for 196 yards and 1 TD. With Devontae Booker back healthy, look for him to continue to cut into Charles’ playing time. Any Denver RB not named Anderson shouldn't be part of your starting lineup.
Week 4 vs. Oakland Raiders
Even though C.J. Anderson had been the Broncos workhorse on the ground the first two weeks, last Sunday at Buffalo, Jamaal Charles led the team with 9 carries for 56 yards rushing. And, it was Charles who scored the team’s only touchdown. Nearly all of Anderson’s 36 rushing yards came on one play, while Charles’ allusiveness proved to be more effective. Expect Anderson to receive more carries this week at home versus Oakland, but Charles will continue to receive around 10 touches as well. Despite the recent score, Charles should only be started if you’re out of other options.
Week 3 at Buffalo Bills
With C.J. Anderson plowing through the Cowboys defense on 25 carries last Sunday, Jamaal Charles was given the ball just 9 times, leading to 46 yards. He also caught a six-yard pass. It appears the Broncos are keeping Charles' touches to around 10 per game to make sure he’s recovered from his most recent knee injury. As a result, look for Anderson to remain the workhorse running back for now, meaning Charles should not be a part of your starting lineup.
