Week 3 vs. Green Bay Packers
Through two weeks, Adrian Peterson appears to be a product of game script. His 28 touches in Week 1 while leading all game against Arizona were far more than the 14 touches he saw last week when trailing most of the game against Indianapolis. His snap count also went from 53 percent to 34 percent. The Packers are ninth in PPR points allowed to RBs this season. This all adds up to a low-floor/risky flex option in Week 3. Washington also has a below-average implied team total of 21.25 points.
Week 2 vs. Indianapolis Colts
In Las Vegas this week, only the Steelers, Saints and Rams have a higher implied team total than the Redskins, illustrating confidence in this offense against a poor Colts defense that allowed 5.2 yards per carry last week to the Bengals' ground game. It's clear Jay Gruden is going to feed Peterson (28 touches last week), and the Colts were just 31st last year in aFPA to RBs. Fire up Peterson as a high floor RB2 option for Week 2.
Week 1 at Arizona Cardinals
Adrian Peterson has won the early-down job in Washington's backfield but will always be more valuable in standard formats than PPR, due to the presence of satellite back Chris Thompson. Arizona was also tough against the run last year, ranking fourth in aFPA to RBs. This game has the sixth-lowest over/under in Vegas for Week 1. Consider Peterson a risky low-end FLEX option for Week 1 in standard leagues. You'll likely need a touchdown to salvage his week.
Week 13 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Adrian Peterson had 24 touches last week, including 4 receptions, for a total of 99 yards from scrimmage. While he failed to find the end zone, it was good to see him average nearly four yards per carry after two disappointing games against the Texans and Seahawks. Peterson continues to get a heavy workload and has a fairly high floor because of that.
This week, Peterson is nursing a neck injury, so watch the inactives list on Sunday. He should be good to go, however, and has RB2 potential, particularly in standard league formats. The Rams are giving up the second-most fantasy points to the running back position this year, although much of that is due to allowing opposing runners to catch 10 touchdown passes.
Week 12 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Since arriving via trade in early October, Adrian Peterson has had two great games and three horrible games as a Cardinal. He continues to get a ton of work, as he’s averaging 21.8 carries per game as the starter in Arizona. However, he’s averaged just 1.57 yards per carry over his past two games.
This week, Peterson will face a tough Jaguars opponent that struggled against the run earlier in the season, but has allowed only 2.4 yards per carry to opposing running backs since acquiring Marcell Dareus on October 27th. While Peterson has RB2 potential because of his likely workload, it’s hard to get too excited about him this week.
Week 11 at Houston Texans
Adrian Peterson struggled against the Seahawks, gaining only 29 yards, despite getting 21 carries. The Seahawks were a tough matchup, however, and Peterson should be much better with that kind of workload moving forward.
This week, Peterson will face a Texans run defense that has actually been pretty good against the run this year, allowing only 3.7 yards per carry and 3 rushing touchdowns. However, the entire team is struggling due to key injuries on both sides of the ball, opening the door for a similarly banged-up Cardinals offense to keep the score close enough to get Peterson his touches. He’s a borderline-RB1 this week.
Week 10 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Adrian Peterson had a nice game against the Colts last week, racking up 159 yards on a whopping 37 carries! The Cardinals have indicated they’d like to lean on the veteran runner, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Peterson has averaged 24.7 carries per game in his three starts in Arizona.
This week, Peterson doesn’t have a great matchup against a tough Seattle run defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the running back position this season. However, Seattle has allowed 7 rushing touchdowns, and with Peterson’s usage, it’s likely he posts at least RB2-level numbers.
Week 9 at San Francisco 49ers
Adrian Peterson struggled against the Rams in Week 7 before the bye, rushing for only 21 yards on 11 carries as the Cardinals were forced to abandon the run in a 33-0 lopsided defeat. Peterson has stepped right into a role as the bell cow back for the Cardinals since being traded from the Saints and he should have more success in close games.
Only the Colts have given up more rushing touchdowns this year than the 49ers, and San Francisco also ranks 29th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. If Peterson gets a full workload again he should be an excellent option and put up RB1 numbers in all league formats.
Week 7 at Rams (game in London)
Adrian Peterson blew up last week in his first game as a Cardinal. He got a full workload and rushed for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 carries. The Cardinals should continue to give him touches for as long as David Johnson remains out, which should make Peterson at least a consistent RB2 option in most leagues.
This week, he’ll face a Rams team that just gave up 130 yards and a touchdown on 6.2 yards per carry to Leonard Fournette, and that ranks 29th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. It’s hard to know just how long Peterson will look like his vintage self at age 32, but this is a good week to start him.
Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Adrian Peterson hasn’t been productive the past two seasons, struggling with injuries and ineffectiveness, but his arrival in Arizona will at the very least provide him with additional opportunities to show he still has what it takes to be an effective starter. He was barely used in New Orleans, while Chris Johnson was getting double-digit carries for the Cardinals.
Peterson has high upside if he gets as much work as is expected, but this might not be the best week to use him. He’s likely still getting acclimated to the offense and it will be risky to assume he’ll make an immediate impact. Fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see approach with him.
