OK, all the hype and intrigue after our lunchtime tacos out here on the West Coast are going to be centered on the Bay Area. Chiefs-49ers, with the shiny new toy that is going to debut as a member of the San Francisco backfield. Christian McCaffrey’s touch share, usage and even pitch count have been overanalyzed to the point that people outside of SF (and those who don’t have him on fantasy teams) are tired of CMC’s new locale. I’ll give you an appetizer for what comes below: He’s healthy and will get enough touches to start for you because we know that Kyle Shanahan likes to feed his RBs.

Some very fun matchups in the afternoon and evening window, with another Justin Fields prime time matchup that may leave you wanting to put him in bubble wrap so he doesn’t get hurt. Let’s go with who’s ADENTRO and who’s AFUERA in the later games.

NYJ (4-2) @ DEN (2-4)
EVEN / 38.5

JETS
The Jets are flying high. Sauce Gardner is gaining notoriety for more than just trolling Cheesehead Country. He’s probably the leader in the DROY race for his fantastic coverage skills. Yet things can never be too settled in the Big Apple. Elijah Moore has asked to be traded after his role has diminished to the point that he did not see a target last week. He should ask how Denzel Mims is doing with his trade demand from the summer (weekly inactive and still residing in New Jersey). Still, the Jets are flying high, and it’s largely because of the running game. Zach Wilson is passing at a low rate, combining to throw 48 passes in his past two games. That, plus Patrick Surtain waiting on the other side have me putting GARRETT WILSON as AFUERA. Surtain held down Mike Williams to 2-17-0 last week, another in a long line of top wideouts getting the blanket treatment from Surtain. Wilson has just 9 combined targets the last two weeks. Love the talent, but this week I’m out. 

BRONCOS
I was iffy on this offense before Russell Wilson was ruled out, but now that Brett Rypien is starting, I have the urge to sit everyone. One guy I definitely don’t feel good about is LATAVIUS MURRAY. Yes, he went for 15-66 rushing last week, but do you think the Jets are going to sell out to stop the run? This is going to be an ugly game with both teams limiting possessions. The Jets will stack the box to slow down Murray, and it’s going to work. 

HOU (1-3-1) @ LV (1-4)
LV -7 / 45.5

TEXANS
The Raiders appear to be doing a little magic with ball carriers this season. After being one of the lesser defenses against the run last year, they are a respectable #13 in rushing yards allowed during the season. Then you look at the RBs they’ve played – not a hearty lot – and it’s clear that the Raiders’ opponents were more focused on attacking through the air. But for Houston, Davis Mills has been uneven under center. So I’m putting my bet down that DAMEON PIERCE is up for a big game. He has 22, 20 and 29 total touches in the past three games, and is the RB5 during that span. When the Raiders faced a banger in Derrick Henry, the King rolled over the boys from Sin City with 143 total yards. ADENTRO.

RAIDERS
JOSH JACOBS is #2 with 4.19 yards after contact per attempt. With 619 yards in 5 games, he’s averaging over 120 scrimmage yards per game. With 247 snaps compared to fellow RB Brandon Bolden’s 56, Jacobs is dominating the backfield for the Raiders. He’s the lead caballo, Familia. The Texans are at the bottom of the NFL in allowing 176 scrimmage yards to RBs this season. They’re made to order for Jacobs and the Raiders. ADENTRO. 

SEA (3-3) @ LAC (4-2)
LAC -6.5 / 51

SEAHAWKS
All offseason the Chargers said they’d prioritize defending the run. How’s that working? Nick Chubb went for 134 rushing yards in Week 5. Dameon Pierce rumbled for 131 yards in Week 4. Even Latavius Murray dragged defenders for 66 yards last MNF. Enter KEN WALKER. The darling of Graham Barfield’s Yards Created has the backfield to himself. He has 185 rush yards and a pair of TDs in the past two games. Last week, his first riding solo, he took 23 of the 25 total RB touches. In the biggest over/under of the weekend, Walker is very much ADENTRO. 

CHARGERS
Start all TEs playing the Seahawks, who are #32 against the TE and allowing 23.3 FPG to the position. Even without the anomaly Taysom Hill monster game, here are other noteworthy games against Seattle. 

TJ Hockenson: 8-12-179-2

Zach Ertz: 7-10-70-0

Kyle Pitts 5-8-87-0

Joshua Palmer and fellow TE Donald Parham are out. Keenan Allen may be on a pitch count if he starts at all. That’s all you need to know about whether to start Everett. ADENTRO.

KC (4-2) @ SF (3-3)
KC -3 / 48.5

CHIEFS
CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE had 19 rush attempts in Week 4, and has between 7-9 attempts in all other games. His targets in the last three games are: 2, 4 and 0. San Francisco has yet to allow any rusher to go over 59 rushing yards, and that was Caleb Huntley last week. This morning word is leaking out that Isiah Pacheco is going to start, largely because of his pass protection skills. I can’t recommend CEH. AFUERA. 

49ERS
It’s just too fun to speculate. Play CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY! Don’t overthink it. Even if he is on the field for 15-20 snaps, he’ll get at least 15 total touches, and some targets in the passing game. This is going to be fun, except for the Chiefs, who have allowed sizable receiving numbers to RBs by the Raiders, Bucs and Chargers. ADENTRO!

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
PIT (2-4) @ MIA (3-3)
MIA -7 / 45 

STEELERS
KENNY PICKETT is expected to start after clearing the concussion protocol. Now he’ll face a Miami D that likes to blitz, and has hit home on the QB 14 times through five games. With the Steeler O-line definitely still being leaky, Pickett will have some moments he has to use those legs to get away from blitzing defenders. Hard to recommend him. AFUERA. 

DOLPHINS
The Steelers have been in negative game script because of some big passing games their defense has allowed. This is just heaven to hear for those who have TYREEK HILL on their teams. Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis both went over 100 yards and totaled 3 TDs in Week 5. Running mate Jaylen Waddle could be in for a healthy target share, too. But it’ll be clear who is Tua Tagovailoa’s primary target in this one. I want to like Raheem Mostert this week, but I’m worried that Mike McDaniel may have played around with the running game rotation after the bye and will turn it into a committee. ADENTRO. 

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 
CHI (2-4) @ NE (3-3)
NE -8 / 39.5

BEARS
Please, let’s get this kid some help. JUSTIN FIELDS was pressured on 24 of 42 dropbacks, and was sacked 5 times against Washington. Now comes a road trip to New England, where Bill Belichick is waiting. That usually means bad things for young QBs. Two of Justin Herbert’s worst games have been against the Patriots, including a 45-0 debacle in his otherwise splendid 2020 season. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson fared no better last year. Fields will struggle to have time to do much of anything. AFUERA. 

PATRIOTS
Damien Harris appears to be trending toward playing. That does not concern me. RHAMONDRE STEVENSON is still going to be the focal point of this offense. Bailey Zappe has been a nice story, but the Bears have been good against the pass – except for a rough road game with Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson going loco. The Bears have not been good against the run, with Dalvin Cook (161 scrimmage yards) and Saquon Barkley (162) having particularly good games against them. The Patriots like to run the ball, and even with Harris stealing some carries, Stevenson will get 15-20 touches and rumble to a big game. ADENTRO.

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