Ravens RB Ray Rice not expected to play today

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Ravens running back Ray Rice will not play today versus the Bengals. With the Ravens having already locked up the AFC North and playing for just the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the playoffs, they have decided to rest him instead. That means rookie running back Bernard Pierce will get the start.

Fantasy Analysis:

Say hello to reason No. 39,203 why playing for a fantasy football title in Week 17 is ill-advised. Healthy studs who would never be sitting in any other week are going to be inactive today, and it screws everything up. Also, consider that if the Ravens are willing to rest Rice, they are probably thinking about doing the same with Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin and Dennis Pitta. I would get all of those guys out of my lineup right now.
However, I would pick up and start Pierce. He is averaging more than five yards per carry for the season and averaged close to nine yards per carry last week. He has been able to catch the ball a little and is coming off his first 100-yard game. I think he is well within RB2 territory today.