Up until a year ago, Matt Forte has been one of the most productive fantasy football running backs since he entered the NFL in 2008 with the Chicago Bears. But injuries hampered the 30-year-old back in 2015, leading to him finishing the season with the lowest total rushing yards of his career (898).
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 1: Matt Forte looking to recover old form
In his first season with the Jets, the running back will look to rebound from his disappointing 2015 season with a matchup vs the Bengals. We explore the fantasy implications.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Now with the New York Jets, Forte will be looking to prove his doubters wrong and regain the form that once made him one of the most feared running backs in the league.
Fantasy Impact: Fantasy owners may have to wait a week for Forte to look anything like his old self, since the Cincinnati Bengals look like they could cause the Jets running back to struggle. Forte will be going against a Bengals defense that was good against opposing running backs in 2015.
Last year, Cincinnati’s defense only allowed a total of six rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs (fourth lowest in NFL). Forte’s best option to succeed on Sunday may come as a receiver, since the Bengals’ defense did actually allow five touchdown receptions to opposing running backs in 2015 (fourth highest).
Yahoo! sees the New York running back scoring no touchdowns and gaining about 80 total yards on 17 touches this Sunday. Due to his skills as a pass catcher, Forte’s value in PPR leagues still seems safe against Cincinnati. But for fantasy owners who have him on their teams in standard leagues, another running back may be a better option for this week.
