Week 17 vs. Minnesota
Jordan Howard continued his impressive season last week with yet another 100-yard effort. He's had 100 yards in seven of his last eight games (99 in the other one) as his rookie season appears to be ending on a positive note.
This week, he'll face a Vikings defense he tore apart when he faced them in Week 8. He had 202 total yards and a touchdown in that game, against what has typically been a pretty stout run defense.
Howard may not match his earlier season numbers, but he should be a good play this weekend as a borderline RB1.
Week 16 vs. Washington
Jordan Howard has 100+ scrimmage yards in six of the last seven games (the game he didn't, he had 99 yards) and has likely carried your team to a title run. So now won't be the time to doubt him, especially in a favorable matchup against the Redskins.
Washington has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing backs this season, as they give up 115.4 rush yards per game. We can expect another 100-yard effort from Howard, which makes him a strong RB1 play.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay
Jordan Howard has over 100 scrimmage yards in six straight games, although he's only scored in two of those games. He's getting the ball at a high volume, which leads to plenty of yards, but for some reason just can't punch it into the end zone.
Still, he's been playing extremely well lately and should be a top running back option. He doesn't get a great matchup this week against the Packers, but Green Bay has allowed 100+ yards to opposing backs in four of the last five games.
Howard should be viewed as a strong RB2 play against Green Bay.
Week 14 vs. Detroit
Jordan Howard took advantage of San Francisco's poor run defense last en route to 117 yards and three scores. He had 32 carries in the effort, which should tell you that Chicago fully trusts the rookie back.
Howard will get a tougher matchup this week, as the Lions have only allowed three rushing scores to backs all season, although two have happened in back-to-back weeks. While this is certainly a tougher matchup for Howard, it's hard not to like what he's done so far this season.
We don't expect him to produce last week's numbers, but Howard will be a solid low-end RB1 play.
Week 13 vs. San Francisco
Jordan Howard continues to carry the load for Chicago's backfield, which bodes well for him this week. He'll face a 49ers defense that has allowed the most points to opposing backs and had a historically bad stretch just a few weeks ago.
Howard is 10th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (76.6), and fifth in yards per carry (5.1). Combine that with the soft Niners defense, and you get an easy RB1 play this week.
Week 12 vs. Tennessee
The Bears will need to rely on Jordan Howard this week, as Matt Barkley will make his first career start at quarterback. Howard has played well throughout his rookie season, especially lately, with over 90 yards in three straight games.
Howard won't get a favorable matchup this week against the Titans, as Tennessee has held backs under 70 yards in six of the last seven games. Given the matchup and circumstances, we like Howard as an RB2 play this week.
Week 11 vs. New York Giants
Jordan Howard only had two touches in the final half of last week's game, and afterwards the coaches said he had an ankle or Achilles injury. Howard, however, said he didn't have an injury. In any case, he practiced fully this week and is expected to play Sunday.
And the Bears are going to need Howard at full strength, as Cutler is struggling and the team will be without Alshon Jeffery. This isn't exactly a favorable matchup against the Giants, but it could be a worse situation.
Howard should be a solid RB2 this week, as the opportunity will be there. He's carrying a two-game 100-yard streak into Week 11.
Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay
There was a stretch of games where it looked like Jordan Howard may not retain his starting role in Chicago, but those doubts appear to be cleared now. He ran wild (153 yards) against the Vikings' D last week, and will continue to carry the load for Chicago.
Howard gets a favorable matchup this week against the Bucs, who haven't been able to stop much of anything lately. Howard should get plenty of touches this week, and will be an RB1 play in Week 10.
Week 8 vs. Minnesota
After a strong start, rookie running back Jordan Howard has crashed back to reality. He has 34 and 22 yards in his last two games, respectively, and just two catches for six yards in those games combined.
There's also a chance Jeremy Langford returns this week, which means touches will be limited in the backfield. On top of everything else, Howard faces a brutal matchup against the Vikings. No rusher has topped 100 yards against this defense, and Minnesota has only allowed one score on the ground to backs.
Howard will be a poor RB3 or flex play this week.
Week 7 at Green Bay
After impressive performances in his first couple of starts this season, Jordan Howard took a step back in Week 6. The Bears rusher finished with 34 yards on 15 carries, and only six yards on two receptions. He did score the first touchdown of the season, but his performance left a lot to be desired.
He'll try his best to get back to his 100-yard self Thursday night against the Packers. Ezekiel Elliot is the only running back to have success against this defense all season. Prior to last week, Green Bay had held backs to under 50 rushing yards in every game.
Howard will get plenty of touches, making him fantasy relevant. But instead of being an elite option, he's more of an RB2 play in an unfavorable matchup.
