Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 5: RB Bilal Powell

Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets guard James Carpenter (77) blocks for New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) in the second half agains the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Seattle Seahawks defeat the New York Jets 27-17. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets guard James Carpenter (77) blocks for New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) in the second half agains the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Seattle Seahawks defeat the New York Jets 27-17. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into Week 5 Fantasy Football, running back Bilal Powell should see a bigger workload as he could be a difference-maker against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The New York Jets have been a mess early on this season. It’s hard to envision fantasy football owners even considering starting anyone on Gang Green but running back Bilal Powell is worth doing so in Week 5.

Related Story: Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 5: RB Matt Forte

If the Jets plan to have a chance at beating the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road, it all starts with committing to the run. The Jets need to stop putting so much pressure on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to win football games and focus on establishing their running game.

Fantasy owners should expect to see the Jets launch a potent rushing attack against the Steelers. Considering Fitzpatrick has nine interceptions the past two games alone, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey will more than likely simplify things and go back to basics.

The Jets are built to run the football as they will in in no way, shape, or form beat the Steelers by airing the football out. They’re a physical team that will undoubtedly bring it to the Jets in front of their home crowd.

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Expect to see Powell get a nice workload to help fellow running back Matt Forte keep those chains moving.

Forte is also dealing with a knee injury and although he should be good to go on Sunday, Powell will see a nice increase in attempts as well.

The Jets have a nice two-headed beast at running back that can also double up as receiving threats out the backfield. This is a role Powell specializes in when it comes to clutch situations and could use against the Steelers.

Powell has barely done much this season as so far, he’s totaled just 99 rushing yards, 13 rushes, and has yet to score a touchdown.

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Considering how the Jets haven’t at all used Powell in an effective manner, this could very well be the breakout game he’s been looking for. Fantasy owners should throw Powell in as a FLEX option this week as if everything goes as envisioned, could walk away from this matchup with at least a touchdown or two.

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