Week 16 vs. New York Giants
The Colts host the Giants as more than a touchdown favorite with a top five implied team total of 28.25 points in Week 16. New York ranks 31st in aFPA to RBs this season. That makes Marlon Mack a great RB2 option this week with heavy positive game script expected, but no other Colts RB is getting the necessary volume to be FLEX considerations.
Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis has an above average implied team total this week against a tough Dallas defense. That implied total is 25 points. However, the Cowboys rank top five in aFPA to RBs, foreshadowing a pass-heavy attack for the Colts. Marlon Mack's volume has also been a concern, with less than 15 touches in back-to-back weeks. After a couple of huge midseason games, he's come back down to Earth after the team's bye week. We can't forecast him as more than a FLEX this week, due to volume and match-up concerns.
Week 14 at Houston Texans
The Colts have a very modest implied team total of 22.75 points this week, with negative game script expected on the road in Houston. The Texans rank fourth in aFPA to RBs. The Colts entire offense struggled last week, with essentially no running game. Just draw a line through it like a bad horse race and move forward. It's a tough match-up again this week, but Marlon Mack is still the early down option, garnering far more work on the ground than Nyheim Hines. However, with Jack Doyle on IR, Hines re-emerged as a passing game option in this offense last week. Both should be considered nothing more than a FLEX though, with Mack still the preferable option against this tough Texans defensive front.
Week 13 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Remember when facing the Jaguars defense was a near death sentence for a player's fantasy prospects? That's not the case anymore. The Jags are tough against RBs (2nd in aFPA), but the Colts have an implied team total of 25.5 on the road. Jacksonville's offense also operates at a faster pace when Leonard Fournette is out, which should mean additional offensive plays for the Colts too. If Marlon Mack can clear the concussion protocol, he should be a viable, volume-based RB2 in a difficult match-up. Otherwise, Nyheim Hines will step into the same situation.
Week 12 vs. Miami Dolphins
The Colts come off another strong offensive performance against the Titans, and this week, Indianapolis has the highest implied team total on the Sunday slate, nearing 30 expected points. Miami ranks just 31st in aFPA to RBs this season as well. As heavy favorites, Marlon Mack is in a boom situation this week. He's played 60 percent of snaps in three straight games and has 17+ touches in three of his past four. Consider him an RB2 with RB1 upside this week.
Week 11 vs. Tennesee Titans
The Colts have a high implied team total of 25 at home against Tennessee, and maybe the best offensive line in the NFL right now, helping protect Marlon Mack to more than five yards per carry this season. He did, however, find it to be tough sledding last week against a stout Jaguars front and could find similar difficulties this week against a pass funnel Titans defense that ranks second in aFPA to RBs. Mack should still dominate the touches in this backfield, but he may see volume more like he saw last week than his first couple of games back. For these reason, he's more of a mid-to-low RB2.
Week 10 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Colts have a middle-of-the-road implied team total against the Jaguars this week, and Jacksonville ranks 10th in aFPA to RBs. However, Marlon Mack's volume cannot be ignored. He has 21 and 27 touches in his last two games, averaging more than 150 total yards and two touchdowns. That kind of volume and efficiency even in a tough match-up puts Mack square on the RB2 radar with RB1 upside each week.
Week 8 at Oakland Raiders
Marlon Mack (ankle) was downgraded from limited in practice Wednesday to did not practice on Thursday. His status needs to be monitored as Sunday approaches. If he is active, you start him after the monster week he had against Buffalo. When healthy, it's clear he's the undisputed lead back in this offense capable of putting up RB1 numbers any given week, including against Oakland (18th in aFPA to RBs).
Week 7 vs. Buffalo Bills
Marlon Mack returned from injury last week, and although Nyheim Hines played more snaps, Mack out-touched Hines 13-to-5. Mack was extremely efficient on the ground and faces a Bills defense that is only 23rd in aFPA to RBs. Mack is a good candidate to find the end zone this week, as the Colts have an implied team total of 25.25 points as a 7.5-point underdog. That puts Mack on the FLEX radar for Week 7.
Week 6 at New York Jets
Andrew Luck will once again be playing with a depleted supporting cast of pass catchers in the Meadowlands Sunday. T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle still are not practicing, and now Eric Ebron is also not practicing with four different injuries. That doesn't mean Marlon Mack is a viable fantasy asset though as he comes back from injury. Nyheim Hines has emerged as a weapon in this backfield, and Mack saw less than one-third of snaps in his one healthy game this season. Keep him out of lineups in Week 6.
