Week 16 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Running Back: Charles Sims

Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4 Rushes, 45 Yards
3 Receptions, 72 Yards, 5 Targets, 1 Touchdown
NEP: +9.24

The running back position was led once again by a receiving-type back, as Tampa Bay's Charles Sims had an efficient game both rushing and receiving the ball against the Bears this week.

Sims saw only a handful of touches this week but was able to make the most of them. He ran for 45 yards on just 4 carries, while finding room in the air for 72 receiving yards on 3 receptions. He was able to haul in a 50-yard touchdown while bailing out his quarterback on a broken down play. Sims started on a flat route, but when he saw Jameis Winston being flushed from the pocket, he turned upfield to make an acrobatic sideline grab with a defender closing in, just barely completing the catch before racing to the end zone.

Sims has been a fairly middling running back in terms of numberFire's metrics this year. Of all 67 running backs with at least 50 carries, he ranks 22nd in Rushing NEP. His receiving skills are what separate him from his peers, as they've raised his Total NEP -- which factors in both rushing and receiving -- to sixth overall. Sims scored 20.70 PPR fantasy points this week -- eighth-most among all running backs.

This week's running backs were led by backs who saw limited volume but had big plays to boost their NEP totals. David Johnson continues to impress as a rookie, picking up the second highest NEP this week at +8.59. He picked up 127 yards and a score on just 12 touches. Mike Gillislee has formed quite the one-two punch for Buffalo with Karlos Williams, as both rank in the top-five in Rushing NEP. Jerick McKinnon had an incredibly efficient day, scoring two rushing touchdowns on just seven carries. His +7.28 NEP was the fifth-highest of the week. Pierre Thomas caught 7 of 8 passes for the Redskins, receiving 67 yards and rushing for another 22 yards on just 4 carries.

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