So I've got a big playoff game coming up, and the matchups have me very hesitant to use Isaiah Crowell (vs. Giants) or Jeremy Hill (at Balt.). So I started wondering about the wisdom of using a No. 2 running back against Cleveland's crummy run defense.
This week that player is Paul Perkins, who should be the clear No. 2 behind Rashad Jennings. Jennings looks very good against the Browns, ranked 31st defending the run. So how about Perkins, once the Giants get a big lead?
I pulled out the last five games, which is when teams have really been running the Browns off the field. Last week doesn't help, since LeVeon Bell got every single carry in that game, rushing for 146 yards and 1 TD.
But here's how the No. 2 running backs fared against Cleveland in the previous four games.
| NO. 2 RBS VERSUS BROWNS, LAST FOUR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | TD |
| Bernard, Cin. | 17 | 80 | 1 |
| Powell, NYJ | 6 | 76 | 1 |
| Morris, Dall. | 17 | 56 | 0 |
| Dixon, Balt. | 6 | 38 | 0 |
| Average | 11.5 | 63 | 0.5 |
So those four backup running backs have averaged 11-12 carries for 63 yards, and about a 50 percent chance of a touchdown. If form holds, Perkins might actually fare better for me than either Crowell or Hill in their very tough matchups.
--Andy Richardson