Utilizing a good running back can make all the difference for your fantasy football team.
Here’s our take on match-ups we love, like and hate for running backs in week 1.
Love
Chris Ivory
We promise never to put another New York Jets offensive player on another list for things we love. But Ivory is in a great position in week 1 for fantasy football owners.
He really doesn’t have to worry about sharing carries, so he should get plenty of work against the Cleveland Browns. Also, with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the quarterback, the Jets will likely utilize Ivory often. And against the Browns, opposing teams like to use running backs often.
Teams don’t attack the Browns through the air. Cleveland’s secondary is too good for that. Instead, teams do the most damage against the Browns front seven, and the majority of offenses last year succeeded.
The Browns allowed the most rushing yards per game last season at 141.6 yards per game, and teams also rushed it 31.2 times per game, second most behind only Tennessee.
That strategy will likely be used again this year, and with the Jets already focusing more on the run than the pass, fantasy football owners should be confident that Ivory will be a points machine in week 1.
Like
Jonathan Stewart
There’s finally no one for Stewart to share carries with on the Carolina Panthers. And with a week 1 match-up against
Jacksonville, he should see plenty of touches.
Much like the Browns, teams liked to run the ball against Jacksonville last year. Teams notched 499 rushing carries against the Jaguars, just one less than carries against Cleveland.
The Jaguars were a little better against the run than the Browns, but not by much. Jacksonville allowed 127.1 rushing yards per game last season, and also surrendered 15 rushing touchdowns.
For Carolina, the Jaguars defense sets up with what the Panthers want to do offensively. Carolina rushed for the seventh-most yards per game as a team, and totaled the eighth-most rushing attempts in the NFL.
Now without a second back to share carries, Stewart owners should reap the benefits, especially in week 1.
Hate
C.J. Anderson
Denver has a new offensive line and Baltimore is much better up front against the run than against the pass.
That doesn’t generate any optimism for Anderson’s week 1 game against the Ravens. The Broncos will likely employ a different game plan throughout the season, which puts quarterback Peyton Manning out of harm’s way more often with a much more steady running game.
But week 1 won’t be the time to put forth that strategy. The Broncos will likely fling the ball all over, especially with a healthy Manning and much better match-ups between the wide receivers and secondary, than up front.
Anderson will see a good number of touches throughout the season, but he’s not the best start in week 1.
