Week 9 vs. Cleveland Browns
For the second straight week, it was Royce Freeman and not Phillip Lindsay getting the goal line carry and scoring the Broncos’ lone TD. In the loss to the Colts, Lindsay led the team with 14 carries for 59 yards but he’s failed to eclipse 60 rushing yards or score in two in a row. With the season half over, Lindsay has totaled over 100 yards only twice, averaging 82 yards per outing. The Browns surrender over 140 yards per game on the ground but may take a similar approach as the Chiefs did a couple of weeks ago in Denver to stop the run with Brandon Allen at QB. Lindsay remains an RB2 option.
Week 8 at Indianapolis Colts
With the Kansas City defense keeping eight in the box last Thursday, Phillip Lindsay was held to just 36 yards on 11 carries. Add in the negative four-yard reception he had late in the game, and it was by far Lindsay’s lowest offensive performance of the season. Fantasy owners couldn’t even rejoice in a score, as it was Royce Freeman who pushed his way into the end zone from a yard out for the team’s lone TD. The Colts allow about 110 yards per game on the ground, so consider Lindsay an RB2 play.
Week 7 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Versus Tennessee last Sunday, Phillip Lindsay found the end zone for the fourth time this season. In the win, he finished with a team-leading 70 yards on 15 carries, the third time he’s had at least that many rushing attempts in ’19. Lindsay is averaging 90 scrimmage yards per game and all four of his TDs have come in the past four weeks. At home on Thursday night versus a Kansas City defense allowing over 160 rushing yards per contest, Lindsay makes for an RB2 start.
Week 6 vs. Tennessee Titans
Phillip Lindsay and the Denver rushing attack got things going early last week against the Chargers. In the win, Lindsay carried the ball 15 times for a season-high 114 yards and a score. It was his first time in ’19 eclipsing the century mark and his yardage total of 147 was the most he’s registered since early December during his rookie campaign. Tennessee is No. 14 versus the run, so consider Lindsay an RB2 option.
Week 5 at Los Angeles Chargers
The Broncos offense was on the field for just five minutes of the second half last week in the loss to the Jaguars. Once Jacksonville took the lead and controlled the clock, Denver had to abandon the run game, which meant just nine carries for 53 yards for Phillip Lindsay. He busted out for a 28-yard scamper early on but didn’t see the ball much after intermission. The Chargers defense is No. 14 at stopping the run, making Lindsay an RB2 play.
Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
After not doing much the first two weeks of the season, Phillip Lindsay got it going last Sunday in Green Bay. He led the Broncos with 21 carries for 81 yards and two scores. He also caught four passes for 49 yards. It was the first game in ’19 Denver had more rushing attempts than passes, with the ground game accounting for 149 yards. Lindsay and Royce Freeman have been splitting touches, a trend that will continue. The Jags defense is yielding 110 rushing yards per game, so Lindsay is an RB2 play.
Week 3 at Green Bay Packers
Last Sunday versus the Bears, Phillip Lindsay finished with 36 yards on the ground and 30 receiving yards. He and Royce Freeman continue to share playing time, as Lindsay received 17 touches compared to Freeman’s 16. In the first two weeks, Freeman has been the more productive back, but a balanced approach will remain. Therefore, don’t expect a big game from either RB this week at Green Bay, whose D has allowed just 19 total points.
Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears
Versus the Raiders last Monday night, Phillip Lindsay and the Denver ground game were stuffed for much of the contest. Lindsay ran for just 43 yards on 11 carries and caught four passes for 23 yards. Royce Freeman ended up with 10 rushing attempts in what was a pretty evenly split backfield. Chicago’s D limited the Packers ground game to less than 50 yards in the opener, so expect another tough week for Lindsay and Freeman. Consider Lindsay an RB3/flex play on Sunday.
Week 1 at Oakland Raiders
Fully recovered from his wrist injury at the end of last year in Oakland, Phillip Lindsay will be ready for the regular season opener. All he did during his rookie campaign was rush for over 1,000 yards and scored 10 times. In his game-and-a-half versus the Raiders in ’18, he ran for 153 yards. The Broncos are planning to use both Lindsay and Royce Freeman, which could cut into Lindsay’s touches. He makes for more of an RB2 play in the opener Monday night.
Fantasy Upside
What a surprise Phillip Lindsay turned out to be during his rookie season. After going undrafted, he broke out in Week 1, totaling 102 yards and a score versus Seattle. Playing in 15 games, Lindsay ran for over 1,000 yards, averaging a healthy 5.4 yards per carry, and totaled 10 TDs. He rushed for at least 90 yards five times and registered over 100 scrimmage yards on six occasions. Originally projected to be the third-down back, he has good hands, finishing with 35 grabs.
Fantasy Downside
In the second to last regular season game last season, Lindsay injured his wrist and required months of rehab to be ready for training camp. His small size will always make people question his durability and will limit his number of touches per game, especially earlier in the season, as the Broncos would like him to be as fresh as possible come December. Lindsay’s TDs again may need to come from distance, as fellow second-year back Royce Freeman will likely be used in short-yardage situations.
Bottom Line
After an off-season to recover, Lindsay’s wrist should be healed and he’s expected to again be the Broncos top RB, in front of Freeman and veteran Devontae Booker. With Joe Flacco now under center for the Broncos, defenses should have to respect the passing attack more than when Case Keenum and Paxton Lynch were at the help, which will help the ground game. Lindsay falls in our mid-20s for Standard leagues and is primed for another strong season.
