The Commanders' SHOCKING Secret Red Zone Weapon That Could REVOLUTIONIZE Your Fantasy Team – Don't Miss Out!
Just because the Washington Commanders haven’t been winning lately doesn’t mean they can’t help you win.
One of the best parts of fantasy football is the ability to help fans of losing teams find a little bit of winning of their own, by oftentimes leaning on players from other, more successful squads. However, even with the Commanders on a four-game losing streak, there are members of this squad who can help you win in fantasy.
Digging for some sleepers who might give you the chance to win even if Washington falls to 3-7 as expected, Sports Illustrated’s Thomas Carelli has singled out running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a sneaky play this weekend, for those in need of a running back.
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The Red Zone Specialist?
“In Washington, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the starting running back. In the Red Zone, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the starting Running Back. I cannot tell you why this is the case, but it is. Rodriguez Jr. has out-snapped Croskey-Merritt 12-to-9 in the Red Zone, including 3-to-1 in Week 9.
“I will not tell you that this is a good matchup versus the Lions, because it is not. However, they should be able to find moderate competency on offense with Mariota and Kliff Kingsbury at the helm.”
Rodriguez has played in seven of the team’s nine games this year and started two of them earlier this year. In both of the games Rodriguez started, the offense got off to good starts, setting a physical tone, and was able to run the ball better than it has in recent weeks.
Last weekend, in a big loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Rodriguez was inserted into the game flow after the team was already down three scores, mostly, and did well.
Earning 12 carries in the game, the back ran for 65 yards and scored one touchdown along the way. Granted, they came against a defense largely looking to prevent any sort of big play that would let Washington back into the game, but good stats are good stats when it comes to fantasy, right?
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A Captain's Opportunity
Aiding in the thought that Rodriguez might be worth a sleeper play this weekend is the fact that he’s also a team captain for the first time this season, indicating that he may be in line for an opportunity to get solid snaps yet again.
Last week’s 22 offensive snaps matched his season-high. If the arrow pointing up is followed by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, he may be able to eclipse his career-high of 24 snaps on offense and give you a fantasy boost in the process.
Spencer Rattler Breaks Silence: “NFL Doesn’t Care About Your Pain — You Have to Play Anyway”
In an emotional revelation that’s shaking the NFL to its core, Spencer Rattler of the
Rattler, who briefly played alongside Kneeland during his time with the New Orleans Saints, called the loss of his former teammate “devastating” and a stark reminder of the unspoken pressure NFL players face. But it wasn’t just about the grief — it was about the expectation to perform no matter what:
"Everyone thinks the NFL is just about football. But the truth is, they don’t care what you're feeling. They just expect you to show up and play. We’re told to shut off our emotions, but that’s not realistic. I feel like we’re not allowed to grieve the loss of a brother because we have to get ready for a game. That’s the cold reality of this league."
A Wake-Up Call to Fans: "We're Not Machines"
Rattler’s shocking admission sheds light on the emotional toll that NFL players endure, often sacrificing their own mental well-being for the sake of the game. As the
"We’ve got to put our feelings aside for the fans, for our coaches, and for our teammates. But losing someone like Marshawn—it’s like losing a brother. It’s not just a game. People don’t understand how much time we spend with each other, and now I have to focus on beating the Packers while mourning my friend. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do."
A Brotherhood in Crisis?
As the NFL grapples with the tragic loss of Kneeland, Rattler’s powerful words are raising serious questions about the emotional cost of playing professional football.
Is the NFL a family, or is it a brutal machine that demands players sacrifice everything — including their emotions — for the game? The death of Kneeland is only the latest in a long line of heart-wrenching moments that show just how much players endure off the field.
