Devonta Freeman is making those fantasy football owners who drafted him toward the end of the running back heap look like geniuses.
The Falcons running back turned in another over 30-point performance last week to lead all running backs by more than eight points.
We’re skeptical if that will continue, but for now, Freeman is the darling of the fantasy football world. Here’s our list for start ’em, sit ’em for running backs in week 5.
Daily fantasy start of the week
Le’Veon Bell vs. San Diego Chargers
There’s something missing from San Diego’s rush defense.
We anticipated the Chargers to not look great on the road against Minnesota two weeks ago against Adrian Peterson. San Diego didn’t, allowing 126 yards rushing and 24.22 points in fantasy football.
But last week, at home against Cleveland’s rushing offense that isn’t very good, we expected a better effort. Instead, we saw the Chargers allow 100 yards on only 21 attempts. The Browns only average 89.8 yards rushing per game.
Without much of a rush defense, we’re anticipating Bell to run wild on Monday night. Without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers leaned on Bell heavily last week against Baltimore. Bell totaled 29 touches for 150 total yards.
Expect the same strategy against the Chargers, making Bell the best start of any running back.
Start
Ronnie Hillman vs. Oakland
The Denver running game got a boost Sunday when Hillman totaled more than 100 yards against Minnesota.
On Monday, head coach Gary Kubiak said Hillman has earned more playing time, especially with the struggling C.J. Anderson, who hasn’t recorded more than 50 yards in a single game this season. Hillman finished with the same amount of carries against Minnesota as Anderson.
That’s a good sign for anyone who owns Hillman, and a bad sign for anyone who owns Anderson. Hillman has enough speed to break open runs, and against the Oakland Raiders, that speed will be an asset for the Broncos.
The Raiders are only allowing 93 yards per game on the ground, but with the Broncos looking to slow down the pass rush of the Raiders, we anticipate the Broncos to utilize the running game.
T.J. Yeldon vs. Tampa Bay
We are encouraged with Yeldon. He generated his first 100-yard rushing day last week and his touches continue to rank toward the top of the NFL.
Yeldon has 70 carries this season, third among running backs in the NFL this season. He still hasn’t found the end zone, but if his carries continue to be that high, he will get his first touchdown soon enough.
It may happen this week against Tampa Bay’s weak rush defense. The Buccaneers are third-worst in the league against the run, allowing 136 yards per game this season. Tampa Bay also is allowing touchdowns, giving up four this season, the sixth-most in the NFL.
The Jaguars have shown the tendency to feature Yeldon often and this game should be close, allowing the Jaguars to pass less and run more.
Daily fantasy sit of the week
Devonta Freeman vs. Washington Redskins
There’s no way you’re taking the ball out of Freeman’s hand on your regular roster, but don’t be fooled by the previous two weeks in your daily fantasy league.
Freeman has been on fire, right along with the Atlanta offense during the past two weeks. But this week, Washington’s defense comes calling in Atlanta, and Freeman won’t find near as much daylight.
The Redskins are second-best against the run this season in the NFL. That will continue this week against Atlanta.
Don’t drink the elixir on Freeman. Sit him this week in your daily fantasy league, especially with the increased price.
Sit
Doug Martin vs. Jacksonville
We realize that Martin has had a semi-resurgence so far this season for Tampa Bay. He went over 100 yards rushing last week against a stingy Carolina defense, and he looks better than last year while running the ball.
While there is a similarity between Jacksonville and Carolina of being good against the run, there’s a big difference between the two defenses.
Unlike the Panthers, the Jaguars are really bad against the pass.
Because of that, the Buccaneers will do what every other NFL team has done this season against Jacksonville and air it out on Sunday. Teams are throwing it at the seventh-highest clip against the Jaguars, despite being involved in some one-sided contests.
We anticipate Martin will be used far less this week than last week.
Carlos Hyde vs. New York Giants
Maybe you’re still caught back in week 1, so you may scoff at sitting Hyde. That’s fine, but get used to single digits from this San Francisco running back.
The 49ers were in that game against Green Bay and completely ignored Hyde. He’s in a similar situation as Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller. No matter what the situation is, the play calling will ignore the main running back.
Hyde registered only nine touches last week against the Packers. That goes along with the previous two weeks, where he gained a combined 94 yards rushing.
The Giants are the best against the rush so far this season in the NFL. Surprised? We are too. New York is allowing less than 70 yards rushing per game and we don’t see the 49ers doing much at all offensively in this contest, furthering their deep descent.
