This article is part of our Red Zone Watch series.
Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy Hill has dominated the backfield touches since Giovani Bernard suffered a torn ACL back in Week 11, but he split some important red-zone work Sunday against the Steelers. Hill's seven red-zone carries, including six inside the 10-yard line, led the NFL, but a knee issue forced him out of the game multiple times, allowing Rex Burkhead to grab five red-zone carries, including four inside the 10 (only Hill had more from inside that distance in the league this week). Hill was certainly the more effective of the two in terms of touchdowns, though Burkhead did pick up two first downs. Hill isn't in danger of losing his top spot on the depth chart, but the Bengals showed Sunday that they aren't afraid to see what they have with Burkhead.
Green Bay Packers
Jordy Nelson has been quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite target in the red zone this season, but the extremely cold weather in Chicago made it tough on the receivers, as Nelson and Davante Adams dropped sure touchdown-passes. In the end, the Packers threw five times in the red zone (twice to Adams and Jared Cook, once to Nelson), though none were inside the 10. Separately, Ty Montgomery was the man to own, as he took two of his four red-zone carries (all inside the 10) into the end zone. The Packers' backfield
Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy Hill has dominated the backfield touches since Giovani Bernard suffered a torn ACL back in Week 11, but he split some important red-zone work Sunday against the Steelers. Hill's seven red-zone carries, including six inside the 10-yard line, led the NFL, but a knee issue forced him out of the game multiple times, allowing Rex Burkhead to grab five red-zone carries, including four inside the 10 (only Hill had more from inside that distance in the league this week). Hill was certainly the more effective of the two in terms of touchdowns, though Burkhead did pick up two first downs. Hill isn't in danger of losing his top spot on the depth chart, but the Bengals showed Sunday that they aren't afraid to see what they have with Burkhead.
Green Bay Packers
Jordy Nelson has been quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite target in the red zone this season, but the extremely cold weather in Chicago made it tough on the receivers, as Nelson and Davante Adams dropped sure touchdown-passes. In the end, the Packers threw five times in the red zone (twice to Adams and Jared Cook, once to Nelson), though none were inside the 10. Separately, Ty Montgomery was the man to own, as he took two of his four red-zone carries (all inside the 10) into the end zone. The Packers' backfield has been a mess this season, but Montgomery showed Sunday that he can finish from in close, which may force a bit of a hit to Nelson's prospects near the goal line as the season winds down.
Philadelphia Eagles
Byron Marshall got his first action of the season Sunday against the Ravens, and while he had a number of red-zone opportunities, he did less than nothing with them. Literally. Marshall rushed five times in the red zone for minus-5 yards and he caught one of two red-zone targets for minus-1 yard. He ended up with the same number of red-zone carries as Ryan Mathews (three), plus the same from inside the 10 (one), though it was the latter who scored a touchdown. Additionally, Marshall's two targets in the area were the same as Jordan Matthews and only one behind team-leader Zach Ertz. With Darren Sproles (concussion) and Kenjon Barner (hamstring) possibly sitting out in Week 16 against the Giants, Marshall could have some value, though Mathews is still the top back on the depth chart.
Tennessee Titans
DeMarco Murray has had an excellent season as the Titans' lead back, but he took a back seat to rookie Derrick Henry in the red zone Sunday against the Chiefs. While Murray was given 18 carries for the game, rushing for 89 yards, not a single one came inside the red zone. On the other hand, Henry was given exactly half the number of carries except that five came in the red zone, including three inside the 10, and two turned into touchdowns. Henry doubled his season touchdown total Sunday, while Murray was left with only his fourth game this year without a score. Murray is obviously the top back on the depth chart, but he certainly loses some luster if Henry is going to replace him when the Titans are in close.
