Week 17 vs 49ers
We knew the Chargers had a pretty bad defense. But my goodness, did anyone see that coming from Rex Burkhead? 149 yards and two touchdowns. Incredible. He'll likely come back to Earth a bit this week, as the 49ers have a much better run defense than the Chargers. That said, Burkhead has clearly taken the lead role in the Houston backfield, and with Davis Mills playing better, defenses can't fully focus on the run game. Burkhead actually has flex appeal this week for the championship round.
Week 16 vs Chargers
After we thought Rex Burkhead would miss Week 15 with a hip injury, he was in the lineup, saw 17 touches for 47 total yards, and was the featured back again in Houston. That trend should continue against the Chargers, who could potentially be without some big names on defense due to defense and are already still one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL. Burkhead may have a twinkle of value in his eyes this week as a flex option. It's a major gamble, but maybe you're facing the No. 1 seed and need a spark. You never know.
Week 14 vs Seahawks
The Texans did absolutely nothing again on offense last week, but Rex Burkhead was the lead back with David Johnson out, carrying the ball eight times for 30 yards. The Texans' offense looks like it will be back to very bland with Davis Mills likely back in the starting lineup. Johnson could be back in action this week, but Burkhead has been getting work even with Johnson in. It's a favorable matchup as well, against the second-worst defense in our matchup rankings against opposing running backs. But will the fact that Mills is under center further affect the ceiling of Burkhead and the Texans run game?
Week 13 vs Colts
Two straight games with double-digit carries for Rex Burkhead and he saw his highest snap count of the season against the Jets. He is definitely a part of the offense now and could also start seeing more work in the passing game. It's been very interesting seeing Burkhead like this. It's basically an even split with David Johnson, so there's room for both as deep flex plays against the Colts.
Week 12 vs Jets
Who saw Rex Burkhead getting 18 carries in a game coming? Sure, he only took those carries for 40 yards, but he looks like he's going to get more work going forward with Phillip Lindsay now gone. He'll split work with David Johnson and get some early-down work. He's worth consideration as a deep flex option against the very poor Jets defense.
Week 9 vs Dolphins
Rex Burkhead was the direct beneficiary of all the garbage time last week against the Rams, even scoring a touchdown and totaling 48 yards on seven touches in 30 offensive snaps, far more than David Johnson's 11 and Phillip Lindsay's eight. Ideally, Burkhead and Lindsay will combine behind David Johnson, but Houston has been so baffling that no one has any idea what will happen. At least Miami is pretty bad.
Week 10 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Rex Burkhead had a decent showing last week by notching 12 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots appear to be taking the "hot hand" approach splitting early-down carries between Burkhead and Damien Harris. The crowded nature of the New England backfield makes weekly performance very difficult to project outside of James White's passing-game role. Burkhead will likely have some useful games down the stretch, but it will be very difficult to predict when those are coming. Burkhead is nothing more than a low-end flex play at best in a tough matchup against Baltimore.
Week 8 at Buffalo Bills
Rex Burkhead continues to get a handful of touches every week, but his participation in the offense means little for fantasy other than detracting from the projections for Damien Harris and James White. Burkhead is not a starting option outside of extremely deep PPR leagues.
Week 7 vs. San Francisco 49ers
James White's return to the lineup and Damien Harris's emergence as an option for early-down carries has rendered Rex Burkhead a fantasy afterthought. Burkhead has only received one target over the last two games and rushed for a total of 59 yards in that same span. Burkhead is the third option in a messy backfield and should not be started outside of extremely deep leagues.
Week 6 vs. Denver Broncos
Rex Burkhead followed up his two-touchdown performance in Week 3 with 11 carries for 45 scoreless yards and a single reception in Week 4. Damien Harris appears to have seized the lead role for early-down rushing work and James White continues to operate as the dominant receiving back for New England. This distribution of touches leaves little more than scraps for Burkhead to work with as far as usage, making him bench material in most leagues.
