Doug Martin may have had the biggest day of any running back in week 5, but so far this season, it’s been all about Devonta Freeman.
Freeman mustered his worst output in the past three games with 25.70 points. He’s been a dual threat during the past three games, running for 362 yards with seven touchdowns and netting 177 yards receiving. We weren’t sold on Freeman against the Washington Redskins, which came into the game as one of the best NFL teams against the rush.
This week, Freeman has the leaky New Orleans defense, so he should be another quality start.
Here’s our running back list for start ’em, sit ’em for week 6 in fantasy football.
Daily fantasy start of the week
Justin Forsett vs. San Francisco 49ers
We were on point last week with Forsett as being a good daily fantasy option as he notched the third-most points during week 5 against Cleveland’s awful rush defense.
After a slow start, Forsett is starting to gain steam. He has 271 yards rushing in the past two games with one touchdown. He’s chipped in 49 yards receiving.
The touchdowns will come, especially with the amount of touches he has garnered. In the last two games, he has 48 carries.
That workload will continue this week against San Francisco. The 49ers gave it their all last week against the New York Giants, but that’s about all they have. Expect a letdown this week from San Francisco, while the Ravens will be able to do pretty much anything on offense.
San Francisco is allowing 108 yards rushing per game and will see plenty of runs again this week. We’re looking for the Ravens to lead throughout this game, so expect plenty of Forsett.
Start
Ameer Abdullah vs. Chicago Bears
We know your reservations with starting Abdullah. He hasn’t done anything this year, other than a stellar opening game with almost 100 total yards and one touchdown.
Since that time, the Detroit rookie has 82 yards rushing and 48 yards receiving. He hit rock bottom last week after getting benched from the second quarter and beyond because of fumbling problems.
But before you sit him permanently on your bench, don’t give up just yet.
Abdullah is still the best option at running back for the Lions and with the struggles displayed by quarterback Matthew Stafford, we expect the Lions to utilize the running game more fervently. That should open up opportunities for Abdullah, especially against the Chicago Bears, which has been susceptible against the run.
Chicago ranks in the bottom-10 against the run this season, surrendering almost 120 yards per game on the ground.
Abdullah may not be a great option for a regular start, but this matchup is favorable for the rookie.
T.J. Yeldon vs. Houston Texans
The Texans are a dumpster fire this season.
Usually it’s not good to trust Jacksonville Jaguars offensive personnel, but Yeldon has shown in the past two weeks to be a main component of Jacksonville’s gameplan.
Yeldon is two weeks removed from his first 100-yard rushing performance of his career, and last week, he was on his way to having another solid game before leaving with a minor injury.
He should return this week to face the Texans, which rank toward the bottom of the NFL in total defense, allowing 114.2 yards per game rushing.
We like the Jaguars also returning to home after three consecutive road games, giving them a bit of a boost on offense and defense. The Jaguars are giving Yeldon plenty of opportunities — he had 16 touches before leaving last week’s game — so getting into the endzone will come soon.
The Jaguars will use Yeldon early and often so give him a start.
Lamar Miller vs. Tennessee Titans
We know that Lamar Miller has been a horrible play each week for fantasy football owners. In fact, he’s usually on our “sit” list.
But we like not having Joe Philbin as the coach of the Dolphins. Maybe, now, Miami will at least attempt to run the ball and not abandon it after one stuffed rush.
Look at new coach Dan Campbell. Does he not look like a person who would want to establish the run?
We’re basically going on a hunch with Miller. But Tennessee does rank in the bottom-10 against the run, and with a week off to look in the mirror, we’re thinking Miami may showcase a new identity.
That new identity should help Miller finally reach the double-digit plateau in fantasy football points.
Daily fantasy sit of the week
Chris Ivory vs. Washington Redskins
We understand Devonta Freeman ran wild against the Redskins defense last week. But let’s not dismiss the Washington Redskins as a premier NFL defense against the run.
Despite allowing Freeman to total 153 yards on the ground last week, the Redskins are still allowing less than 100 yards rushing per game. We’re not excited about the Redskins being on the road for two straight weeks, but the defense should show a little pride this week against the Jets.
New York will look to run first and pass second, but Ivory won’t find the same holes that Freeman saw last week. The Jets will have to look to the pass to open up the run, so that will slow down the touches for Ivory.
Sit
Ryan Mathews vs. New York Giants
We know Mathews has been a pleasant surprise in the past few weeks. In two of his last three games, he’s scored 15 and 16 points.
But the Philadelphia running back will run into trouble Monday night against the New York Giants.
The last time Mathews and the Eagles offensive line played against a solid rush defense — Washington — Mathews score no points in fantasy football.
He will see the same kind of rush defense against the Giants. New York is terrible against the pass, but has been dominant against the run, giving up the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL.
The Eagles have been inconsistent running the football this year and that won’t change this week.
Jeremy Hill vs. Buffalo Bills
We know you used one of your top draft picks to get Hill.
But this week, he shouldn’t see your starting lineup in fantasy football.
Hill has been the model of inconsistency this season, and last week, he was the definite second option to Giovani Bernard.
In three of five weeks this season, he’s scored 2.50 points or less. In the other two games, he’s gone over 18 points.
We can’t trust Hill and we definitely can’t against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are third-best in the NFL against the run and this game will be a slog, especially with Tyrod Taylor out as quarterback for Buffalo.
The touches will be few and far between for Hill, so he’s not worth the hope that he could get a goalline touchdown.
