David Montgomery shines in Week 5 leaving fantasy football managers in a familiar situation
The Detroit Lions’ approach to their running backs continues to capture the attention of fantasy football managers. This season, under new offensive coordinator John Morton, there’s a noted shift favoring Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield. Despite this, David Montgomery has maintained a strong fantasy presence, achieving standout performances, particularly in Week 5.
David Montgomery’s Impactful Week 5 Performance
Week 5 saw David Montgomery return to his roots, playing against the Cincinnati Bengals. He capitalized on the opportunity, accumulating 65 yards on 18 carries and scoring a rushing touchdown. A trick play saw him throw a touchdown pass, further increasing his fantasy value during that game.
Interesting Game Dynamics
- Montgomery recorded more fantasy points than Gibbs for the second time in three weeks.
- His performance boosted him to a top-10 fantasy finish in both Week 3 and Week 5.
- Gibbs initially dominated the field, but Montgomery surged ahead in the latter stages of the game.
Changing Dynamics in Detroit’s Backfield
This season, the Lions have shown flexibility in their running back usage, underlined by Gibbs playing 61.1% of offensive snaps compared to Montgomery’s 39.9%. This strategy has kept both in the top-20 fantasy running back rankings.
Observations and Strategic Insights
- Montgomery’s fantasy managers are cautious, aware of his scoring variability across weeks.
- Analysts like Nathan Jahnke suggest Montgomery as a ‘sell-high’ candidate entering Week 6.
- The Lions face one of the toughest schedules, influencing the distribution of snaps.
Conclusion
David Montgomery’s role in the Lions’ strategy remains significant, though unpredictable. His standout performances, especially in Week 5, leave fantasy managers reevaluating their gameplay strategies. The Lions’ challenging upcoming schedule adds another layer of complexity to these evaluations.
