Le’Veon Bell is proving why he was the consensus No. 2 pick in the fantasy football draft and Adrian Peterson turned back the clock in week 6.
While the quarterback position took a major hit in week 6 with Aaron Rodgers’ injury and the wide receiver position has been inconsistent at best, running backs keep churning out yards and fantasy points with regular ease. Eight players scored 17 or more points among running backs in week 6. Only two wide receivers scored 17 or more points.
It’s been a regular case this season, with only two wide receivers who have more than 70 fantasy points this year, with 10 running backs being in that realm. So having quality running backs are helping fantasy teams achieve weekly victories. Here’s the week 7 running backs start ’em, sit ’em guide in fantasy football.
Start
Adrian Peterson vs. Los Angeles Rams
I’ve watched all of Peterson’s career and even I was a bit surprised with the week 6 performance. He finished second among running backs with 25 points in week 6. He still has some left in the tank and that was evident in week 6.
I’m just not sure if he has that much in the tank to be consistent. The reason why I’m banking on him being in the top-tier of running backs again is the volume he’ll receive and the defense he’s facing. Los Angeles has a good front, but so far this season, they haven’t done anything against the run. The Rams are giving up almost 140 yards per game on the ground, allowing the opposition to go for 4.8 yards per carry, the fourth-worst mark in the NFL.
Peterson is going to dominate the first and second down work for the Cardinals in a game that I anticipate will be close. He isn’t going to wow you with his talent anymore, but his volume is enough to back him in week 7 against a porous rush defense.
Mark Ingram vs. Green Bay Packers
Ingram isn’t going to have to worry about having teammates vulture touchdowns away from him anymore. Third-down specialist Alvin Kamara isn’t going to get the goal line work that has plagued Ingram in the past. That showed in week 6 and should be the story going forward. That’s good news to any fantasy owner who kept Ingram through the tough times during the early part of the season.
There is a strong argument that you could start Ingram and Kamara. While that may be the case on some occasions, I still believe Ingram is the best choice. He’s going to be the best option in the early downs and will be the main option on the goal line. And the way the Saints are playing, they will dictate game flow, meaning they won’t have to be in major comeback mode.
In week 7, Ingram tees off against a Green Bay defense that is a bottom-10 defense against the run. This game won’t get away from the Saints, allowing them to run the football, instead of just airing it out. That plays into Ingram’s hands better than Kamara’s.
Jerick McKinnon vs. Baltimore Ravens
Latavius Murray is basically just playing backup at this point. McKinnon is the better option and he’s showing that he can be a three-down running back. He’s already a solid receiving back and he’s showing the ability to run through the tackles.
The Vikings aren’t going to light it up through the air, so that aids McKinnon even more. He’ll get plenty of attention on first and second down, and shouldn’t have to exit the field on third down. And against the Ravens, that’s a plus, since this defense isn’t the same unit we’ve seen in the past. The Ravens are actually third-worst against the run in the NFL. Teams are rushing the ball 33 times a game against the Ravens, the most in the NFL.
It all adds up for McKinnon to have another RB1 day in week 7.
Sit
Samaje Perine vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Two Washington running backs finished among the top-24 running backs in week 6. Don’t depend on that happening in the future.
Rob Kelley is likely to be back, but even if he is out for another week, Perine is the wrong Redskins running back to start. And if Kelley is in the mix, I’d sit him, too. Philadelphia is actually the top defense against the run in the NFL, allowing 65 yards per game. That doesn’t equal a good showing for Kelley or Perine, who are the early down workhorses for the Redskins.
Chris Thompson has been good in recent weeks and he’s doing all his damage through the passing game. It’s a bit risky to trust a running back catching the ball out of the backfield, but in this situation, Thompson offers the most upside in the running back position. The Eagles are going to shut down the run, forcing the Redskins into passing mode, giving way to Thompson having elevated value.
Marshawn Lynch vs. Kansas City Chiefs
I know we recently saw Kansas City get dominated against the run in week 6 against Pittsburgh. I’m worried about the Chiefs’ injury woes, but I believe that will hinder Kansas City more in the passing department than in the rushing department.
The Chiefs are still allowing the third-fewest fantasy points among running backs, even with the week 6 outburst from Le’Veon Bell.
Despite those issues from week 6, I’m still not buying Lynch as a fantasy option. Lynch is not seeing a ton of volume, even though he’s out-touching Jalen Richard by more than two-to-one. He’s not a threat in the passing game and he doesn’t look like the same old Lynch from years past.
The Chiefs should still be stout against the run and Lynch will struggle once again to find any room to run.
Javorius Allen and Alex Collins vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Ravens are not very good on offense. That’s an issue in week 7 against Minnesota.
The Vikings are one of the best defenses in the NFL. That’s especially so against the run, with the Vikings ranking third against the run in the NFL. Allen and Collins are sharing time running the football, and that’s not a good sign for their value heading into week 7.
Collins has looked pretty good in recent weeks, but the Vikings have enough up front that he won’t have much room to run. And for Allen, he depends on a strong passing attack, but I don’t trust Joe Flacco on the road against an opportunistic Minnesota defense.
Both running backs should be avoided in week 7.
