Nick Chubb should start every week. But should we expect him to do what he did in week 4 on a consistent basis?
No way. Especially not with that offensive line.
The Browns have a weakness on the offensive line. That has shown in the early part of the season and will continue to show for the rest of the season. Chubb is a nice borderline RB1/RB2, but if you’re expecting over 20 fantasy points on a consistent basis, then you’re mistaken.
Chubb was a nice offensive threat in week 4 and he’s going to start going forward for fantasy football rosters. However, don’t believe that he will have these types of games each week.
Here’s the week 5 fantasy football running backs start ’em, sit ’em guide.
Start
David Johnson vs. Cincinnati Bengals
It shouldn’t be a decision whether or not to start Johnson. However, with his totals in the rushing game, it’s a bit difficult to call him a slam dunk each week.
Johnson has 40 or fewer rushing years in each of the last three games. But, unlike last year, the Cardinals are using him in the passing game, where he’s putting up major totals for fantasy owners. He’s always had a nose for the end zone, so he’s scored in three of four games.
And he turned in 99 yards receiving in week 4 to make up for his 40 rushing yards. The Cardinals have a terrible offensive line, so you won’t be able to count on him in the rushing game. However, Johnson is one of the better receiving running backs, so he should continue to put RB1 numbers, especially against a Cincinnati defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Leonard Fournette vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers defense has been good this season, but it hasn’t been great against the run.
Carolina has given up the 12th-most fantasy points per game to running backs, which bodes well for Fournette, who has been dominating the touches for the Jacksonville offense. Fournette has turned into a bona fide three-down running back in 2019, catching balls out of the backfield, while also dominating the carries in the rushing game.
Those touches finally paid dividends in week 4 when Fournette was a man possessed against a Denver defense struggling with injuries. The touches will continue for Fournette, so expect him to keep up the solid fantasy output.
Phillip Lindsay vs. Los Angeles Chargers
It’s discouraging that Lindsay didn’t earn double-digit carries in week 4. That was the first time he hadn’t received double-digit carries this year, so I’m not going to completely panic just yet.
Royce Freeman does steal some targets in the pass game from Lindsay, but Lindsay is still seeing the bulk of the rushing carries.
That should be enough to believe he’ll factor in as an RB2 in week 5 against a Chargers defense that has surprisingly not been very good against the run this season. The Chargers rank in the bottom half of the NFL in fantasy points allowed to running backs this year. Lindsay isn’t an RB1, but he’s good enough to be an RB2 or Flex option.
Sit
Adrian Peterson vs. New England Patriots
This is a tough end to Peterson’s career. Washington is going nowhere and Peterson is going right along with them.
Petersons is going to continue to earn the bulk of the carries, but with a 2.5 yards per carry average, that won’t amount to much. And now the Redskins must face a defense that is not giving up anything at the moment. That will continue in week 5 against a hapless Washington team.
Keep an eye on Derrius Guice coming back from injured reserve as someone who could add some intrigue to this running back situation. Until that happens, don’t think about Peterson in that spot.
Josh Jacobs vs. Chicago Bears
Jacobs have been a pleasant surprise this season for the Raiders, compiling at least 99 total years in three of four games this season.
The only issue so far has been that Jacobs has only two touchdowns this season and they came in the first week. The Raiders offense has been better in some spots than I anticipated, but it won’t continue in London against a Bears team that is dominant on the defensive line.
Chicago’s defense is at it again, with a unit that is dominating offensive lines. The Bears have a top-five defense against the run and that will matter in this week 5 contest.
Frank Gore vs. Tennessee Titans
Do you trust Gore to keep up this pace?
He’s been a solid fantasy football option this season, going for double-digit fantasy points in each of the last three weeks. With Gore holding down the No. 1 spot in the Bills lineup for the time being, h e will continue to get the lion’s share of the work on offense.
However, with Josh Allen uncertain for week 5, don’t look for the Titans to allow the Bills any room to run. Tennessee already as a top-half defense against the run, and if Allen doesn’t suit up, don’t expect the Titans to give much leeway in the running game.
With the defense focused on Gore, don’t give Gore much of a chance in week 5.
