This article is part of our Red Zone Watch series.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have been a popular team in the Red Zone Watch this season, as the recognition that Julio Jones is basically worthless from inside the 20 and Devonta Freeman has a stronghold on the touches from in close was necessary. Jones was absent for Sunday's game against the Rams, and while Freeman was active, fantasy owners would have preferred he wasn't, as he rushed just six times for six yards, including five on one carry, and caught two passes for 12 yards. However, it was his lack of use in the red zone that was troubling, especially since Tevin Coleman had two red-zone carries, both inside the 10-yard line, and he scored on a six-yard run, but only after scoring on a six-yard pass in the second quarter (in fairness, Coleman's rushing touchdown put the Falcons up 35-0 in the third quarter, so Freeman's lack of usage at that point shouldn't be surprising). Coleman's red-zone target was one of four for the Falcons, and one of only two inside the 10, but again, the game was such a blowout that Freeman's lack of usage in the second half shouldn't be overthought.
Buffalo Bills
Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said Sunday that Mike Gillislee was going to be their goal-line back, with LeSean McCoy basically relegated to duty everywhere else on the field:
"Shady is one of the most explosive backs in the league. He can get a lot of his touchdowns from outside the red zone, but
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have been a popular team in the Red Zone Watch this season, as the recognition that Julio Jones is basically worthless from inside the 20 and Devonta Freeman has a stronghold on the touches from in close was necessary. Jones was absent for Sunday's game against the Rams, and while Freeman was active, fantasy owners would have preferred he wasn't, as he rushed just six times for six yards, including five on one carry, and caught two passes for 12 yards. However, it was his lack of use in the red zone that was troubling, especially since Tevin Coleman had two red-zone carries, both inside the 10-yard line, and he scored on a six-yard run, but only after scoring on a six-yard pass in the second quarter (in fairness, Coleman's rushing touchdown put the Falcons up 35-0 in the third quarter, so Freeman's lack of usage at that point shouldn't be surprising). Coleman's red-zone target was one of four for the Falcons, and one of only two inside the 10, but again, the game was such a blowout that Freeman's lack of usage in the second half shouldn't be overthought.
Buffalo Bills
Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn said Sunday that Mike Gillislee was going to be their goal-line back, with LeSean McCoy basically relegated to duty everywhere else on the field:
"Shady is one of the most explosive backs in the league. He can get a lot of his touchdowns from outside the red zone, but Mike is that decisive, no nonsense type runner that you're looking for inside the three, two-yard line," Lynn said. "That's his role and everybody in the backfield knows that's his role and he's going to get those touches when we get down there. And Shady is good with that."
So, naturally, McCoy was the only running back to get touches in the red zone, with both of his carries coming inside the 10-yard line, including a three-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Gillislee finished with only two carries for the game, though they went for 22 and 12 yards, respectively, but neither came near the Steelers' goal line. Fantasy owners aren't likely benching McCoy because of Gillislee's role, but those who have the latter may be questioning his viability. On second thought, maybe Gillislee is simply sponsoring the goal-line carries?
Miami Dolphins
Running back Jay Ajayi led the team with 20 carries Sunday against a tough Cardinals defense, but he wasn't that dominant in the red zone, as Damien Williams rushed twice, both inside the 10, while Ajayi's lone red-zone carry was from farther out. Additionally, Williams scored on a three-yard pass in the third quarter, while Ajayi wasn't targeted from in close. This isn't to say that Williams is now a good red-zone threat for fantasy purposes, but it's tough to see Ajayi miss out on some close opportunities for a player who clearly only gets looks near the end zone. What could have made up for it was Ajayi's three-yard touchdown run, but it unfortunately called back due to penalty.
On the plus side, at least for Ajayi, is that the Dolphins may turn to him more after the news that quarterback Ryan Tannehill is likely to miss the rest of the season because of a torn ACL. If that's the case, you'd have to think the Dolphins would rather the ball in Ajayi's hands instead of Matt Moore's.
New York Jets
Starting running back Matt Forte looked like the perfect fantasy option Sunday, facing off against the 49ers, who came in with the worst run defense in the NFL. Unfortunately, Forte was knocked out of the game early with a right knee injury, opening up the door for Bilal Powell, who ended up dominating the Niners with 29 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding five catches for 34 receiving yards. While Powell obviously takes over for Forte if the latter has to miss any time, he is likely to be a very popular option in the red zone, as the Jets still don't trust quarterback Bryce Petty to get the job done himself, which means Powell should have the ball in his hands when the Jets get close.
One guy who likely won't have it much is Brandon Marshall, who was a red-zone beast last season but has completely fallen off a cliff this year thanks to the Jets' poor quarterback play. Petty threw four red-zone passes Sunday, two each to Quincy Enunwa and Powell, the second consecutive week Marshall was unable to get a look from in close. One of his biggest fantasy strengths is now one of his biggest weaknesses.
Oakland Raiders
There's little questioning that Amari Cooper is one of the better wideouts in the NFL, but he unfortunately has a bit of Julio Jones in him, and not the good parts. Cooper was targeted 10 times during Thursday's game against the Chiefs, but not a single one came in the red zone. Making matters worse, it wasn't because the Raiders didn't have any opportunities from the area, as Seth Roberts, Michael Crabtree, Andre Holmes, Jalen Richard and Mychal Rivera were all targeted in the red zone, including Roberts getting a Week 15-high five (he caught one and lost a yard). Cooper now trails Roberts and Crabtree in red-zone targets for the season, a fairly astonishing fact given Cooper's size and ability. If quarterback Derek Carr ever starts looking to his best receiver when the Raiders are close to the end zone, Cooper could take a big fantasy leap.
