Week 12 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Running Back: C.J. Anderson

C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos
15 Rushes, 113 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
4 Receptions, 40 Yards, 4 Targets
NEP: +10.07

What an up-and-down season C.J. Anderson has had. After losing his starting role, he was relegated to backup duty and now finds himself in a split backfield with teammate Ronnie Hillman.

Anderson was the hero of the game this week, taking an outside pitch 48 yards for the game-winning touchdown in overtime against New England. He finished the day with 15 carries for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also was able to haul in all 4 of his targets for 40 receiving yards, netting him his best game of the season.

Prior to this game, C.J. Anderson had the fifth-worst Total NEP (factoring in both Rushing and Reception NEP) among all running backs at -11.99, ranking 148th of the 152 running backs to have a touch this season. He's been incredibly inefficient all season -- which matches the eyeball test from what we've seen to date -- but Anderson's +10.25 this week helped boost his season-long Total NEP to -1.94, placing him 116th-best among all running backs. Seven of Anderson's 19 touches went for first downs, including a pair of 3rd down attempts to help raise his NEP. Anderson picked up 31.3 PPR fantasy points this week, second behind only Adrian Peterson's 32.7 after he rushed for over 150-plus yards and 2 touchdowns.

Not far behind Anderson in the rankings of top running back performances by NEP were DeAngelo Williams (+9.45) and Adrian Peterson (+9.41). Williams had some big catches for first downs, and Peterson and the Vikings just ran the ball down Atlanta's throat, leaving them little time on the clock to get their offense in any kind of rhythm. Both Theo Riddick and a surprising Joique Bell had efficient games against Philadelphia, who struggled defending anyone on Thanksgiving. Despite the big statistical performance from Eddie Lacy, our metrics found James Starks to be the more efficient Packer (Stark's +5.12 versus Lacy's +1.08), picking up 80 total yards on just 11 touches.

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