Baltimore Ravens - Fantasy News

Who to Start: Jay Ajayi or Javorius Allen?

by Mike Rose

10/24/17

NFL

Baltimore Ravens

Javorius Allen

While the Miami Dolphins have won four of their first six games, the Baltimore Ravens have lost four of their first seven. Despite their records, though, these two teams appear to be on similar playing fields.

Both offenses are near or at the very bottom of the NFL. Baltimore ranks No. 28 in the league, while Miami is dead last at No. 32. The Dolphins 4-2 record is very deceiving while the Ravens have one of the most overrated quarterbacks running their offense. However, let’s look at two players you should consider for your Dober Play Cards on Thursday Night Football in Baltimore.

The battle of the running backs between Jay Ajayi and Javorius Allen could decide the winner of this game considering neither starting quarterback has done much this year. Miami’s Matt Moore will step in for Jay Cutler, while longtime starter Joe Flacco will get the call for Baltimore. Because of the questions under center, Ajayi and Allen could provide the much-needed spark and entertainment for their respective teams.

Fantasy Matchup: Jay Ajayi (10.0 PFP) vs. Javorius Allen (7.5 PFP)

Ajayi hasn’t gotten off to the start many had projected in 2017. He has only 442 yards from scrimmage and has yet to score a touchdown. That is a big reason for Miami’s struggles on the ground as it ranks No. 30 in rushing offense with only 490 total yards through Week 7. Against the New York Jets last week, Ajayi only managed 51 yards on the ground while the rest of the team added just two more. Ajayi has been an awful option for fantasy owners of all types, including Dober players, as he’s averaged only 9.02 Dober Fantasy Points per week.

The fact that the Dolphins passing offense ranks dead last in the NFL hasn’t helped the running game at all. Miami hopes that it can take advantage of facing a Ravens defense that ranks No. 25 in fantasy against running backs. That same Ravens defense allowed 169 rushing yards and a touchdown to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, so hopefully Ajayi and Co. take a look at the tape from that game and learn a thing or two.

Meanwhile, Allen wasn’t good in his Week 7 matchup against Minnesota. The Vikings defense held him to only 20 yards on six carries, and they limited the entire Ravens team to a measly 64 total yards on the ground. The No. 9 ranked rushing attack struggled mightily, and it will look to bounce back against the No. 10 fantasy ranked defense of the Dolphins.

Despite being in a crowded backfield, though, Allen is the No. 15 ranked fantasy back and will look to continue his solid year. On 82 carries, he’s rushed for 301 yards and one score. He’s also caught 31 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown, emerging as a formidable force catching the ball out of the backfield.

These two teams may not put on the most entertaining game, but both of these running backs could be sound options for your Dober Play Cards. If I were you, I’d go with Allen. Both, however, could be decent starts depending on how many slots you’re looking to fill on your card.

Week 8 Fantasy Projection: Javorius Allen (+2.5) vs. Jay Ajayi