Welcome to the 2018 NFL season, Indianapolis Colts rushing attack.

Marlon Mack tallied 159 total yards and two touchdowns, giving him the second-most fantasy points among running backs in week 7.

If the Colts can establish a running game, it should take some pressure off of Andrew Luck, who has had to basically throw his arm out every week. Can the Colts keep it up? For the questionable running backs, here’s the week 8 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em guide for running backs.

Start

Marlon Mack vs. Oakland Raiders

Go ahead and keep Luck as a solid QB1, but his volume should reduce with Mack healthy.

Without Mack in the lineup, the Colts running game was nonexistent. With Mack back to the starting lineup, he’s turned in more than 200 rushing yards combined in the last two games.

He was an option as a receiving running back out of the backfield in week 7, too, so that makes him an enticing option as a top-tier RB2 heading into week 8. Oakland has given up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs in the last four weeks.

The Raiders can’t stop anybody, so Mack should easily get a start in week 8.

Lamar Miller vs. Miami Dolphins

With a new outlook on the season, the Texans should be the favorites in the NFC South.

And Miller should continue to benefit from the Texans’ newfound ability to move the ball on a consistent basis. Miller rushed for 100 yards in week 7 against Jacksonville.

With him in the lead back role, he should be a high-volume, high-producing running back against a Miami team having difficulties stopping the run.

The Dolphins are giving up the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs in the last four weeks. The Dolphins can’t stop the run, so I’m backing Miller in week 8.

Raheem Mostert vs. Arizona Cardinals

Despite being outcarried by Alfred Morris in week 7, Mostert was still the best running back for San Francisco.

And whoever is the best running back against Arizona, that person should be started in week 8.

The Cardinals are terrible against the run, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. The Cardinals are a bottom-10 rush defense in the last three weeks in yards per carry allowed, and Mostert is starting to gain steam.

With Matt Breida battling injuries, Mostert is the best option for the 49ers.

I wouldn’t trust Nick Chub in the week 8 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em guide. Flickr

Sit

Nick Chubb vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Chubb is dominating the carries now for the Browns. That doesn’t mean he should get a regular start.

Touchdowns have been necessary for Cleveland Browns running backs to be relevant. That should continue to be the case for Chubb, who is running behind an offensive line that shouldn’t be considered an above-average offensive line.

Chubb had a nice second half in week 7 against a Tampa Bay defense struggling to put up much resistance with the injuries mounting.

The Steelers are giving up the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs in the last four weeks. The Steelers are getting better on the defensive side of the ball, so I’m down on the Browns.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RBs vs. Cincinnati Bengals

I know the Bengals have struggled in recent weeks against the run, but it’s not worth backing any Buccaneers running backs.

I’ve stashed Ronald Jones for the duration of the season, only to see him score his first touchdown of the season while sitting on my fantasy bench.

Even with a few more carries, Jones is still not a viable fantasy threat. And Peyton Barber is battling injuries.

Tampa Bay is a bad rushing team and this is not the right road matchup to exploit.

Isaiah Crowell vs. Chicago Bears

It was a nice a little story while it lasted for Crowell. He looked good for a few weeks, behind an offensive line consistently ranked toward the bottom in offensive line ability.

In recent weeks, though, he’s crashed back to earth.

He has just 69 combined rushing yards in the last two weeks. In fact, he’s only gone for more than 100 yards rushing in two of six games this year.

The Bears are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season, so I’m not eyeing a bounce-back performance by Crowell.

Leave a comment

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

*