Although Jets RB Bilal Powell had nearly twice as many snaps as starter Shonn Greene on Sunday, Powell is not the team's starting running back, according to head coach Rex Ryan.
While Powell had 32 snaps to Greene's 18, and started the game, Ryan said it was because of personnel grouping and the score. Ryan did say the team would continue to mix backs, as always.
"When you look at it, (Powell) had more snaps because quite honestly he's our third-down back, and when you get behind like we were behind, you're obviously throwing the ball much more," Ryan said. "You almost put that third-down offense out there."
Our job is not to say what a team should do -- our job is to try to predict what a team will do. We believe that the team wants Shonn Greene to be the main ballcarrier. The team's schedule has been rough (PIT, MIA, SF) and Greene has not had much success since Week 1. He is averaging 3.1 YPC, while Powell is averaging 3.8 YPC, so while Powell hasn't been tearing it up, he has been better than Greene. But that's often the case with change-of-pace/third-down RBs.
The Jets face the Texans this week, which is another tough matchup. After that, they have the Colts, who are great matchup, but that game is followed by the Patriots and Dolphins in Week 7 and Week 8. Unless the Jets completely turn the keys over to Powell (unlikely), it's doubtful that any Jets RB will be startable until after the team's Week 9 bye. Prior to that, the only potential start is Week 6 vs. the Colts. The Jets offense is a mess and should be avoided if possible. However, fantasy owners who have room could try to acquire both players on the cheap in the hopes that one is fantasy relevant as a flex start during the stretch run.
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