Baltimore Ravens running back Bernard Pierce knows that he's got an opportunity unlike any he's had before. With Ray Rice serving a two-game suspension (and with Rice's struggles last season), Pierce will be the feature back in Baltimore's offense. Pierce was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft and this is his chance to earn to the starting job going forward. The Ravens haven't came out and said as much, but it's obvious.
Bernard Pierce could force Ravens into tough decision; could have fantasy value in Week 1
Bernard Pierce faces a tough matchup against the Cincinnati run defense, but he could be playing for a starting job once Ray Rice returns. We break down the fantasy implications.
Larry French
The Ravens would have a "difficult decision between sticking with a hot hand or giving the job back to Rice" if Pierce were to play well, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. It would be especially impressive if Pierce can have a big game in the season opener on Sunday, given that the Ravens are taking on the very tough Cincinnati Bengals.
Fantasy Impact: Even if Rice weren’t suspended, he wouldn’t be considered the fantasy must-have that he was in recent years. Pierce is also hard to recommend for a fantasy backfield, given that nobody is quite sure how the position is going to play out going forward. But there are worse options than playing Pierce in Week 1 and Week 2 as he attempts to earn the starting role.
