I'm considering using Mike Gillislee in a playoff matchup this week. The Bills are at home against the Browns, who have one of the league's two worst run defenses. They're giving up 146 yards per game, with 14 rushing scores.
Obviously it would be great to use LeSean McCoy, but that's not an option. But after McCoy gets his numbers, will Buffalo's No. 2 also put up good rushing production?
The history of No. 2 backs against Cleveland isn't as promising as I'd hoped. The table below shows how No. 2 runners have fared against the Browns defense this season. Only a couple have really put up big numbers.
On behalf of Gillislee, the Bills have the league's best rushing offense, so it's a much higher level of likely production for him than the No. 2 for say the Ravens or Giants. And Gillislee has been getting some goal-line chances, so maybe he punches in a touchdown even if McCoy hogs all the yards.
So I'm still debating it, we'll see where Gillislee shows up in the Weekly rankings.
Here are the per-game No. 2 running back numbers this season. (Not included is Pittsburgh, since LeVeon Bell got every carry in their game.)
| NO. 2 RBS VERSUS CLEVELAND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 2 RB | Att | Yds | TD |
| Barner, Phil. | 4 | 42 | 0 |
| West, Balt. | 11 | 42 | 0 |
| Drake, Mia. | 9 | 37 | 0 |
| Thompson, Wash. | 3 | 24 | 0 |
| White, N.E. | 5 | 26 | 0 |
| Henry, Tenn. | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Bernard, Cin. | 17 | 80 | 1 |
| Powell, NYJ | 6 | 76 | 1 |
| Morris, Dall. | 17 | 56 | 0 |
| Dixon, Balt. | 6 | 38 | 0 |
| Perkins, NYG | 9 | 29 | 0 |
| Burkhead, Cin. | 9 | 45 | 0 |
--Andy Richardson