Denver Broncos - Fantasy News

Who to Start: C.J. Anderson or Kareem Hunt?

by Mike Rose

10/27/17

NFL

Denver Broncos

C.J. Anderson

Monday Night Football will feature the first of two key AFC West matchups in 2017 when the Denver Broncos invade Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who are losers of two straight after starting the season 5-0.

On display will be Denver’s C.J. Anderson and Kansas City’s rookie sensation Kareem Hunt, two running backs looking to lead their respective teams to victory. Both somewhat struggled in Week 7 and will look to bounce back in front of a nationally televised audience.

Fantasy Matchup: C.J. Anderson (10.0 PFP) vs. Kareem Hunt (15.0 PFP)

Anderson wasn’t the only one who struggled in Week 7 for the Broncos as the team was completely shut out by the resurgent Chargers, 21-0. Anderson had just 10 carries for 44 yards, while the rest of the team managed a total of 14 more. On the year, Anderson has scored only once while carrying the ball 92 times for 391 yards.

The No. 23 running back in fantasy figures to struggle once again against the Chiefs No. 9 ranked fantasy defense. Kansas City allowed a grand total of 73 rushing yards to Oakland last Thursday, and we could see a repeat performance come Monday night. I’d stay far away from Anderson when filling out your Dober Play Cards this week.

Hunt, an early candidate for Rookie of the Year, will look to build on an excellent start in which he’s already rushed for over 700 yards. He’s currently the No. 2 ranked fantasy running back with 717 yards from scrimmage to go along with four touchdowns. The impressive numbers he’s racked up have come on just 124 carries, which is good for an impressive 5.8 yards per rush average.

Hunt had somewhat of a down week last Thursday, though, as he failed to reach the end zone and only managed 87 yards. However, the entire Chiefs team only managed 94 rushing yards against a stout Oakland defense in what was a classic football game.

The first-year star has averaged 21.53 Dober Fantasy Points for the year, but he will be facing a Broncos defense that ranks No. 2 in fantasy football against running backs. They’ve allowed less than 100 yards per game (96.3) and only 100.8 points to backs all year (16.8 points per game). Week 7 saw Denver’s defense give up just 76 yards to the Chargers backfield anchored by a similar type runner in Melvin Gordon.

Getting through Denver’s front seven could be a tall task for the speedy rookie. On the contrary, Hunt has 25 receptions for 285 yards and two touchdowns as a pass catcher out of the backfield, so the Chiefs could use him in that way if the running game doesn’t work.

The Chiefs swept the Broncos in 2016 and averaged 31.5 points while doing so. I don’t see that result changing on Monday Night Football, and I don’t think Anderson will factor into this game much at all. Go with Hunt because he’ll find a way to get you your Dober Fantasy Points one way or another.

Week 8 Fantasy Projection: Kareem Hunt (-5) vs. C.J. Anderson