This article is part of our Red Zone Watch series.
Atlanta Falcons
Tevin Coleman returned from his hamstring injury Sunday against the Cardinals, and while he was able to poach a two-yard touchdown from Devonta Freeman, the latter still dominated the touches overall (twice as many carries) and in the red zone. In fact, Coleman's only red-zone carry was his touchdown, and while he did get a red-zone target (Matt Ryan's only one of the game), Freeman still clearly looks like the top option out of the backfield, particularly in the red zone, as he not only leads the team in red-zone carries but also red-zone targets.
Carolina Panthers
It seemed like Jonathan Stewart's fantasy owners were in for another tough day Sunday against the Raiders, as quarterback Cam Newton scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter after the Panthers got down field thanks to a 47-yard run by Stewart. It's just a matter of being a Stewart owner: you know he can pick up yards, but when the Panthers get near the goal line, Newton does that he wants. But things turned around for Stewart, who scored two rushing touchdowns, which came from one and three yards out. By the end of it, Stewart's eight red-zone carries were the most league-wide in Week 12, with half coming from inside the 10. Stewart's eight red-zone carries were twice as many as he had in Week 11, and while Newton is always a threat, Stewart is still getting plenty of looks in the area, which
Atlanta Falcons
Tevin Coleman returned from his hamstring injury Sunday against the Cardinals, and while he was able to poach a two-yard touchdown from Devonta Freeman, the latter still dominated the touches overall (twice as many carries) and in the red zone. In fact, Coleman's only red-zone carry was his touchdown, and while he did get a red-zone target (Matt Ryan's only one of the game), Freeman still clearly looks like the top option out of the backfield, particularly in the red zone, as he not only leads the team in red-zone carries but also red-zone targets.
Carolina Panthers
It seemed like Jonathan Stewart's fantasy owners were in for another tough day Sunday against the Raiders, as quarterback Cam Newton scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter after the Panthers got down field thanks to a 47-yard run by Stewart. It's just a matter of being a Stewart owner: you know he can pick up yards, but when the Panthers get near the goal line, Newton does that he wants. But things turned around for Stewart, who scored two rushing touchdowns, which came from one and three yards out. By the end of it, Stewart's eight red-zone carries were the most league-wide in Week 12, with half coming from inside the 10. Stewart's eight red-zone carries were twice as many as he had in Week 11, and while Newton is always a threat, Stewart is still getting plenty of looks in the area, which keeps him as a viable fantasy option because of his workload capacity.
Chicago Bears
Despite having Matt Barkley start under center for the first time in his career, the Bears passed heavily in the red zone Sunday against the Titans, doing so 15 times versus two carries by running back Jordan Howard. It's certainly worth noting that the Bears were trailing for most of the game, though the scoring opened when Barkley connected with Daniel Brown for a seven-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Barkley threw to Brown one other time in the red zone (both were inside the 10), while Deonte Thompson (three), Cameron Meredith (three), Joshua Bellamy (two), Marquess Wilson (two), Ben Braunecker (one) and Howard (one) were also passed to in the red zone, with Wilson and Thompson also scoring. Again, the situation in the game left little reason for Howard to be busy in the red zone, but Barkley may have done enough Sunday to warrant additional opportunities in the area if he can keep starting.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have relied heavily on running back LeGarrette Blount in the red zone this season, as his 45 red-zone carries are 34 more than the rest of the team combined. However, he doesn't have a single red-zone target this season, as quarterback Tom Brady has spread the ball around in the area, with Julian Edelman (11 red-zone targets) and Danny Amendola (eight) his top-two targeted players. However, neither one was thrown to in the red zone Sunday against the Jets, as rookie Malcom Mitchell was targeted twice inside the 10-yard line, resulting in touchdowns from four and eight yards out. Despite possibly being without Rob Gronkowski, who was forced out of Sunday's game with a back injury, the Patriots still have plenty of weapons from in close if they choose to pass it, and Mitchell's performance Sunday certainly makes him an intriguing option when they are close to the goal line.
New Orleans Saints
Mark Ingram's 146 rushing yards led the Saints on Sunday against the Rams, but he still fell behind Tim Hightower in carries (15-14). And while each was given four red-zone carries (the first Ingram had gotten since Week 9), three of Hightower's came from inside the 10-yard line, while only one of Ingram's was that close to the end zone, which pretty much tells you what you need to know about who head coach Sean Payton prefers from in close (which also seems egregiously wrong). Ingram is a significantly better back, particularly near the goal line, but as long as Payton prefers Hightower in those situations, it's tough to expect full output from Ingram.
