Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
With Phillip Lindsay out for the season finale, Royce Freeman will be the Broncos featured back on Sunday. Last Monday night at Oakland the rookie carried the ball seven times for 21 yards. In mid-November against the Chargers ran for 23 yards and a TD, but as the No. 1 back on Sunday expect him to receive the bulk of the rushing attempts. Consider Freeman an RB2 play.
Week 16 at Oakland Raiders
The Cleveland defense was out to stop the run last Saturday and they were successful. Phillip Lindsay was held to 24 yards and Royce Freeman finished with just four rushes for seven yards. In September versus Oakland, Freeman rushed for 28 yards and a score, but he’s just not seeing enough touches right now to warrant a fantasy start, even facing the worst defense at stopping the run.
Week 15 vs. Cleveland Browns
In the loss to the 49ers last Sunday, Royce Freeman led Denver with 36 rushing yards on just six carries. Twenty-three of those yards came on one attempt to avoid a completely worthless fantasy day, but it was the sixth time in the past eight contests that Freeman saw single-digit rushes. Phillip Lindsay remains the more explosive back out of the Broncos backfield so there is little reason to start Freeman, even against a poor Browns defense.
Week 14 at San Francisco 49ers
As Phillip Lindsay was posting his second straight 100-yard rushing game last week at Cincinnati, Royce Freeman finished with 12 carries for 48 yards. He has averaged just eight rushing attempts over the past three weeks and hasn’t been in the end zone in two consecutive games. Freeman hasn’t posted more than 50 scrimmage yards since Week 4 and will remain the backup to Lindsay. The rookie doesn’t make for a good fantasy start on the road on Sunday.
Week 13 at Cincinnati Bengals
With Phillip Lindsay running for more than 100 yards versus the Steelers last week, Royce Freeman was given the ball just six times for 17 yards. Freeman appears to still be slowed by an ankle injury he suffered last month but has been playing through the pain. Even though he’s scored five times in ‘18, the rookie hasn’t been over 50 yards since Week 4. Facing the Bengals poor run defense could be a time for Freeman to bust out, but he’s just not seeing enough touches to warrant a fantasy start.
Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
While he only received seven carries for 23 yards last week against the Chargers, Royce Freeman was able to score on a three-yard run, his fifth touchdown of the season. Phillip Lindsay received 11 rushing attempts and will remain the Broncos No. 1 RB. Freeman has been held to less than 50 total yards in four straight and that trend will likely continue at home on Sunday versus the No. 9 Steelers run defense. Freeman does not make for a good fantasy start.
Week 11 at Los Angeles Chargers
Royce Freeman has missed the past two games with an ankle injury but is expected back on Sunday at Los Angeles. In seven games, the rookie is averaging only 44 yards per game on the ground and hasn’t rushed for more than 70 yards in any contest. While Freeman has four TDs, he is a risky fantasy start, as Phillip Lindsay has taken over as the Broncos lead RB.
Week 9 vs. Houston Texans
After missing the game at Kansas City last Sunday due to an ankle injury, Royce Freeman could be back in the home contest versus Houston. The Broncos were able to run for nearly 200 yards versus the Chiefs without him but will be facing a tougher defense this week. If he’s able to play, Freeman should be considered an RB3/flex start against the Houston D that allows less than 100 yards per game on the ground.
Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs
Royce Freeman suffered an ankle injury in the win over the Cardinals last Thursday. Prior to leaving with the injury, he ran for 37 yards and a score on 13 carries. Freeman rushed for 67 yards and a TD four weeks ago versus Kansas City but be sure to monitor his injury status for the rematch.
Week 7 at Arizona Cardinals
Versus the Rams last Sunday, Royce Freeman led the team with nine carries and 22 yards. Over the past three games, the rookie has carried the ball a total of just 22 times and has not been in the end zone in two straight. Look for a better performance from the Denver ground game on Thursday night versus a bad Cardinals run D, but Freeman makes for just an RB3/flex option.
