Two backup running backs are showing why that position is so devalued.
Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford and Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West led all running backs in points in week 10 with 30.20 and 28.10 points respectively. Langford has been great in two starts this season, going for more than 20 points in each game.
West also has proven to be a competent replacement with 18 or more points in three of four starts.
For fantasy owners lucky enough to have picked up those running backs on the waiver wire, you’re starting them on a weekly basis. For those who didn’t have a chance to grab them, here’s our week 11 start ’em, sit ’em guide for fantasy football running backs.
Daily fantasy start of the week
Todd Gurley vs. Baltimore Ravens
Gurley hasn’t been the dominant force in the previous two weeks, but with the struggling Rams offense needing a jolt, we’re anticipating him to get most of the looks this week.
St. Louis named Case Keenum its starting quarterback this week, so we don’t believe the Rams will throw much against the Ravens.
That should open up Gurley, who was bottled up last week based on the Chicago Bears jumping out to an early lead.
The Ravens own a quality rush defense, but the Rams should be able to find creases in the defense, especially with the amount of times we anticipate St. Louis to run.
Gurley’s price may go down in DFS, making this an even more attractive choice.
Start
James Starks vs. Minnesota Vikings
This may not seem like a logical choice, but follow us on this one.
The Vikings’ defense may be quietly one of the best units in the NFL. But at times, the Vikings have struggled against the opposition’s running game.
Minnesota allows more than 100 yards per game on the ground, and face only 24 attempts per game, which puts them toward the bottom of the NFL in attempts per game.
To make this seem even less logical, Aaron Rodgers just threw 61 times in last game. So…you may think we’re crazy.
But, Green Bay’s offense was the epitome of inefficient against the Detroit Lions. They’ve all but abandoned their running game, which makes us believe the Packers will focus mostly on establishing the running game, to at least force the defense to show a little respect toward the running game.
That should open up some possibilities for Starks and that’s why we’re starting him this week against the Vikings.
Frank Gore vs. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s rushing defense has been stout for the majority of this season.
But we’re seeing something in Gore that we like. He’s tallied at least 75 total yards each week since week 2 and with quarterback Andrew Luck on the shelf, he’s going to get more looks.
Because of that, we’re high on Gore this week against the Falcons. No matter how good Atlanta has been this season against the run, it still has allowed running backs to reach more than 85 totals yards per game in the past two games.
There’s something off in Atlanta at the moment and if the Colts can keep their attention toward their running game, we like this matchup for Gore.
Don’t dismiss Gore because of Luck’s absence. It should open up more possibilities for Gore.
Daily fantasy sit of the week
LeSean McCoy vs. New England Patriots
When healthy, McCoy has been a quality start this season for fantasy football owners. That’s something far different than many fantasy football experts were predicting before the season began.
But this week’s matchup doesn’t bode well for McCoy.
The Patriots have been one of the best defenses against the run this season. Part of that is because teams just don’t run on the Patriots, since for the most part, New England is so far ahead that teams are forced to pass the ball.
But even when teams do run, the Patriots still hold the opposition to only four yards per carry.
McCoy won’t have much room to run against New England and the Bills will have to win through the air.
Sit
Ryan Mathews vs. Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay isn’t a very good team, but it can stop the run. Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden found that out last week. The Buccaneers own a top-10 rushing defense and allow only 3.6 yards per carry, the third-best mark in the NFL.
That’s a bad sign for the Eagles, who live and die by the running game.
And lately, Mathews has been an afterthought in the rushing game for the Eagles.
Mathews mustered only 18 yards rushing last week and he’s having injury issues that continue to halt his development in the Eagles offense. He’s been hot and cold in the offensive attack, and this week, we anticipate he’ll be cold if he suits up for Philadelphia.
Tennessee Titans running backs
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense isn’t great, but much like the Buccaneers, it does one thing very well — stopping the run.
The Jaguars allow the least amount of yards per carry at 3.3 yards, and that should be a major detriment to any Titans running backs.
Tennessee utilizes a multitude of options, with Antonio Andrews leading the way as the starter. He’s had some quality outings, but he doesn’t get enough carries to warrant an every week starting nod.
We’re not fond of the situation from a fantasy standpoint in Tennessee, and with the Jaguars stopping the run at a torrid pace, we’re dismissing the Titans running back situation.
