New York Jets running back Chris Ivory was in the midst of a breakout season until Bilal Powell returned from injury three games ago. Ivory, finally able to stay healthy, was the undisputed lead back for the Jets and has been producing at a nice clip. For the season, he is averaging 4.1 yards per carry and has rushed for a career-high 951 yards and seven touchdowns.
Yet Powell's pass-catching prowess has made him a valuable option in this New York offense and he has continued to usurp more playing time from Ivory in recent weeks.
"Which Jets running back has led the team in fantasy points in each of the past three games?" ESPN Fantasy Football Insider Field Yates wrote. "Bilal Powell. Much of that has been on the strength of 20 catches (at least five in each game), as Powell is a very good receiver. He also has a touchdown in three straight games. He's a flex play in standard scoring and a borderline top-25 play in point-per-reception formats."
Powell is averaging roughly 90 yards from scrimmage over the last three games to go along with his trio of scores. Though he hasn't topped six carries in any of these outings, he is seeing upwards of eight targets per week in that span.
New York will take on the New England Patriots this week who are only allowing 13.9 weekly fantasy points to opposing RBs. However, the Pats do surrender an average of 5.6 receptions per game to the position.
Ivory may be the workhorse back, but Powell has out produced over the last three weeks. Ride the hot hand.
