DeMarco Murray has been about the only bright spot for Tennessee this season. The Titans’ 2015 No. 1 draft pick, Marcus Mariota, has endured a severe sophomore slump. That has opened the door for Murray, a forgotten man last season in Philadelphia who has experienced a resurgence this season in Tennessee.
He has the most points among running backs in fantasy and once again was on top of the running back list in week 4 with 23.90 points. He has 340 yards rushing already and five total touchdowns.
With basically no other weapons in Tennessee’s lineup, Murray will continue being a solid RB1 on a weekly basis. Here’s the rest of the week 5 start/sit for running backs in fantasy football.
Start
Darren Sproles vs. Detroit Lions
Don’t be fooled into believing that Sproles will get your fantasy team a bunch of carries in week 5 against Detroit. What you can expect though is to see volume from Sproles in the passing game.
The last time we saw Philadelphia in week 3, Ryan Mathews was injured. If that is still the case this week, it will open up more opportunities for Sproles, who already is the main target out of the backfield in the passing game. If Mathews is still hampered by injury (which has dogged him in the past), Sproles may get some work running the ball, too.
And against Detroit, that is a good omen for fantasy owners.
The Lions don’t do a ton on the defensive side of the ball. Detroit allows the 10th-most rushing yards per game at 114.5 per game, and also allow the 12th-most passing yards per game, giving up 8.1 yards per pass play, the fifth-worst mark in the NFL.
The Eagles should be able to move the ball well against the Lions, opening up Sproles’ ability to put up decent fantasy numbers.
Frank Gore vs. Chicago Bears
In the early season, there have been several options worse off than Gore. The aging running back has totaled double-digit fantasy points in three straight weeks, with touchdowns in consecutive games.
He’s getting solid volume in an offense struggling to do much in the passing game. The offensive line still isn’t good, but that shouldn’t matter against a Chicago defense that has been bad against the run this season.
The Bears own the seventh-worst rush defense in the NFL, allowing 123.5 yards per game. Chicago has been decimated by injuries this season and that will come into play against an Indianapolis team desperate to get going on the offensive side of the ball.
Gore won’t be much of a fantasy option as the season progresses. There’s just too many carries on his body to be considered a long-term option. However, this week is ripe for a solid output, allowing Gore a plus-matchup in week 5.
Terrance West vs. Washington Redskins
John Harbaugh came out and said he’s not ready to give West the full-time running back job. I don’t buy it.
West finally gave Baltimore some hope in the running game in week 4, registering 113 yards and one touchdown during a week 4 loss to Oakland. That’s enough evidence to show me he deserves at least one more shot in week 5, once again against a weak rushing defense.
Washington is third-worst against the rush in the NFL, one spot better than Oakland. The Redskins allowed a 100-yard rusher in week 4 and that could become reality again this week with injuries piling up against the Redskins.
The Ravens need to concentrate on the run to open up the passing game. Despite a loss in week 4, the Ravens should be encouraged by finding out some answers to some early season problems.
West gets another crack at full-time duties in week 5 and will put up big numbers against the Redskins.
Sit
NY Giants RBs vs. Green Bay Packers
There’s a lot of players in the backfield for the Giants. If Rashad Jennings doesn’t play against in week 5, that opens up the ability for several people to get a crack at the ball in the backfield.
However, there’s just not enough balls to go around.
Orleans Darkwa appeared to have the hot hand in the early going in week 4 against Minnesota, but he was pulled for Paul Perkins. Bobby Rainey also got plenty of work in the passing game. There’s just no definitive No. 1 who you can trust on a weekly basis.
And what makes matters worse in week 5 is that Green Bay owns the best rushing defense in the NFL. Teams are passing at a high clip against Green Bay, but can’t run against it, averaging only 42 yards per game. That works directly into New York’s offensive approach, meaning there will be little to gain from the Giants’ committee approach.
Matt Jones vs. Baltimore Ravens
As opposed to Gore’s future in fantasy football, I expect Jones to be a surprising force as the weeks progress. However, this week just doesn’t add up for the Redskins or Jones.
Jones is getting more work each week and tallied a career-high in carries in week 4 against a bad Cleveland rush defense. I’m bullish on Jones’ ability to be a good RB2 for several weeks this season, but this isn’t the matchup to utilize him.
The Ravens are extremely hard on opposing running backs. Baltimore stuffed any attempt by Oakland in week 4 to generate a running game and it’s been that way on a weekly basis. Baltimore is allowing only 80 yards per game, with teams averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
I’m anticipating a tough outing for Washington and that includes Jones. The Redskins won’t be playing from ahead like they did in week 4 against the Browns. I’m sitting Jones for this matchup.
Latavius Murray vs. San Diego Chargers
It’s about time to start getting worried about Murray’s usage in Oakland’s offensive scheme.
Murray carried the ball just eight times for 19 yards in week 4 against Baltimore’s defense. The Ravens own one of the best rushing defenses in the NFL, but the Raiders completely went away from Murray during crucial moments.
That’s concerning for a player who was supposed to be a regular option for fantasy owners.
For some reason, head coach Jack Del Rio utilizes a committee approach, even though Murray has proven himself to be effective in the past. That doesn’t seem to matter this season and against San Diego, that could prove to be a problem again.
While the Chargers don’t do a lot on defense, they do defend against the run pretty well. San Diego is a top-10 defense against the run and will likely get a heavy diet of Oakland’s passing game. That will limit Murray’s opportunities and if he continues to not see the field, then he’s worth benching in fantasy.
