Week 14 vs. New York Giants
My, how the Redskins have fallen in 2018, potentially going from first to the worst team in the division by the end of the season, due in large part to so many notable injuries. Washington is now on its third quarterback in Mark Sanchez, and have an implied team total of fewer than 20 points this week, bottom five in the league. New York does rank near the bottom in aFPA to RBs, but with Adrian Peterson's overall inefficiency on the ground of late (including a 90-yard run last week and still failing to reach 100 rushing yards), it's hard to recommend him as more than a FLEX option in Week 14. It does appear though that Chris Thompson is not any kind of substantial threat for touches in the way he was early this season. Thompson is not a starting consideration.
Week 13 at Philadelphia Eagles
The return of Chris Thompson clouds Adrian Peterson's volume for Week 13, and volume is what has made him an RB2. He's slowed over the past month, with four consecutive games of less than four yards per carry, adding very little in the passing game to help bolster his fantasy production. The Eagles may be just middle of the road in aFPA to RBs at this point, but with a bottom five implied team total, we can't recommend AP beyond a FLEX consideration in Week 13.
Week 12 at Dallas Cowboys (Thanksgiving)
Colt McCoy takes over at quarterback for the rest of the season for Washington, which should only stabilize Adrian Peterson's volume in the rushing game. In a game though with the second lowest total on the Week 12 slate and Washington having an implied team total under 17 points, touchdowns will be at a premium. Plus, Peterson is rushing for 3.1 yards per carry over the last three weeks. Combine that with Dallas ranking top 10 in aFPA to RBs, and Peterson can't be looked at as anything more than a low-end in RB2.
Week 11 vs. Houston Texans
Washington is a team that is built around its defense and ball-control offense. This team is third in time of possession, but for fantasy purposes, Washington has an implied team total in Week 11 of only 19.75 points. Only Oakland is lower. However, Chris Thompson is unlikely to play again, keeping Adrian Peterson's volume intact. He's seen 20+ touches in three of his past four games. However, his lack of efficiency of late downgrades him to low-end RB2 status at this point. You're hoping for a touchdown for AP to buoy fantasy production.
Week 10 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Let's check in on the Washington offense as they begin the second half of their season: 25th in total offense, 25th in scoring offense and 24th in passing offense. It's a good thing they have Adrian Peterson this year (imagine saying that in early September). Tampa Bay is bottom 10 in the NFL in aFPA to RBs, and Chris Thompson is out for Washington. Peterson should bounce back from a subpar Week 9 with another high volume RB2 performance, as this game has the second highest total on the Sunday slate.
Week 8 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Adrian Peterson is getting fantasy RB1 bellcow-like workloads. He has 17, 25 and 27 touches in his last three games, capped by a monster 26.6 PPR-point performance last week. The match-up is even better in Week 9, as the Falcons are just 28th in aFPA to RBs. Plus, Chris Thompson will be playing with pain through a rib injury, likely limiting his workload. Even in PPR leagues, Peterson is locked in as a solid start.
Week 8 at New York Giants
The Washington-New York game has the second-lowest over/under of Week 8 at just 43.5 points. That's not a good sign for most fantasy players, but Adrian Peterson's volume should remain stable, especially if Chris Thompson is out again. Over the past two weeks, Peterson has seen 17 and 25 touches for 97 and 107 yards, respectively. The Giants are also just 24th in aFPA to RBs this season. Peterson should continue to produce no worse than RB2 numbers in Week 8 with RB1 upside if he finds the end zone.
Week 7 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Washington and Dallas is a game that's expected to be low scoring, as it is the second-lowest total on the Week 7 slate. That could mean volume for Adrian Peterson, who has needed neutral or positive game scripts to post fantasy production this year. Peterson did not practice Wednesday with ankle/shoulder issues but was removed from the injury report Thursday. Meanwhile, Chris Thompson was limited with knee/rib injuries both days. The Cowboys are top-10 in aFPA to RBs, but volume should keep Peterson in the RB2 mix in Week 7. His floor is low this week though, as Dallas is third in the league in rushing yards allowed to running backs.
Week 6 vs. Carolina Panther
Adrian Peterson said he dislocated his shoulder during last week's game against the Saints, which has led to limited practice participation in Week 6. Monitor his status, but he appears to be playing against a Panthers defense that ranks just 18th in aFPA to RBs. Peterson is a game-script dependent FLEX option. The good news is this is projected to be a tight game, with close to a Pick 'Em spread in Vegas. Chris Thompson has also been ruled out, which should increase his volume, if he can stay on the field.
Week 5 at New Orleans Saints
Washington comes off its early bye week and heads to New Orleans for a game that's tied for the second-highest over/under of Week 5's Sunday and Monday slate. The Saints rank 7th aFPA to RBs. This is a total pass funnel defense, with the Saints ranking 3rd in rushing defense and 30th in passing defense. That should mean a much better situation for Chris Thompson than Adrian Peterson this week. Washington is also a 6.5-point underdog, and negative game script will not help Peterson's chances. Owners have to hope he scores from in close this week. AP shouldn't be considered more than a FLEX in Week 5.
