Todd Gurley is really good.

For those who weren’t buying him as the No. 1 player this year in fantasy football drafts (including me), his first two weeks are making us look stupid.

He’s already compiled four total touchdowns and has more than 20 fantasy points in each of his first two games. He’s the most consistent fantasy option on a team that appears destined to score more than 30 points a game.

He has a nose for the endzone and he’s productive in the rushing and passing departments. He’s a regular plug and play option, but for those who are a bit more questionable, here’s the week 3 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em guide for running backs.

Start

Matt Breida vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Breida is going to be one of the biggest steals of the fantasy football season this year.

I needed a bit more clarity from the 49ers regarding their running back situation, and I believe we received that in week 2. Kyle Shanahan knows how to properly scheme a running attack.

Teammate Alfred Morris has more carries than Breida, but it’s only a matter of time before Breida starts getting more touches. In only 14 touches in week 2, he tallied 138 yards rushing, 21 yards receiving and one touchdown.

Morris doesn’t offer the same big-play capabilities that Breida can provide. That’s why he deserves the nod over Morris in fantasy, and with a matchup against a Kansas City defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs, this is a nice matchup to exploit.

Rex Burkhead vs. Detroit Lions

At this point, it’s mandatory to start a running back against Detroit. And in New England’s jumbled backfield, Burkhead offers the best choice.

New England has struggled to score points this season. That’s very un-Patriot-like. During the first two games, Burkhead hasn’t played much, giving way to James White for the most part.

The Patriots love to change gameplans on a week-to-week basis, so I’m expecting Burkhead to start getting more attention as a weapon for the Patriots.

He can run between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. Detroit is allowing the second-most fantasy points per game against running backs this season. Of the several options for the Patriots, Burkhead has solid upside in week 3.

Alex Collins vs. Denver Broncos

Maybe I’m holding out too much hope in Collins for this season, but at some point the Ravens coaching staff is going to watch his tape.

Collins bounces off multiple defenders per game and is a much more viable running back than Buck Allen. However, the Ravens have been obsessed with taking out Collins in favor of Allen in certain situations.

With a loss in week 2, maybe something will start clicking with the coaching staff, thrusting Collins into the spotlight. Collins is making the most of his touches, so I’m expecting that to increase in week 3. Don’t worry about the Denver defense being decent against the run. The first two games have been against teams not known for running well, so the Ravens should offer a different look.

Sit

Giovani Bernard vs. Carolina Panthers

Bernard should get your attention on the waiver wire with his new role as the main running back in Cincinnati for a few weeks.

However, it would be unwise to give him the start this week against a Carolina team that is solid against receiving running backs.

Carolina is allowing 16.50 fantasy points per game, but the majority of that is on the ground. That isn’t Bernard’s speciality.

Instead, he excels in the passing game. And against two teams that utilize running backs often, the Panthers have allowed just 43 yards receiving from running backs. Teams aren’t even targeting running backs in the passing game, generating just five targets per game out of the backfield.

Go ahead and pick up Bernard off the waiver wire, but keep him on the bench in week 3.

Peyton Barber vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

I can’t imagine how bad Ronald Jones III is as a professional running back. The highly touted rookie has even been active in the first two weeks, allowing Barber to be the primary running back.

As the starter and with perfect gameflow in the first two weeks, Barber has been atrocious. He is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry in games where the Buccaneers needed him to help sustain drives.

Thankfully for the Bucs, they can rely on Ryan Fitzpatrick for the moment, but at some point, the staff is going to have to take a harder look at Jones. Barber is not cutting it and the Steelers are allowing less than 16 fantasy points per game to running backs.

Barber hasn’t produced yet this season, so don’t expect that to start in week 3.

Marshawn Lynch should be a sit in the week 3 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em guide. Flickr/Keith Allison

Marshawn Lynch vs. Miami Dolphins

Miami’s rush defense has actually been really good this season. And I don’t think that’s going to stop in week 3.

Miami is allowing just 3.3 yards per carry, good enough for the third best mark in the NFL. The Dolphins’ weakness against running backs has come through the air, not something Lynch will contribute in week 3.

The Raiders will use Lynch as a run-only option, which is a bad fantasy play against the Dolphins front seven. Lynch has just 11 yards receiving this season, so don’t plan on him having much production in week 3.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*