Week 8 was all about the quarterbacks, so it’s no surprise that only one running back reached the 20-point mark.
St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley continues to set a torrid pace, going over 100 yards rushing again in his fourth consecutive game. Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West also proved to be a solid waiver wire addition, with his second straight solid effort, going for the second-best total of the week with 18.20 points.
Those running backs have earned starting nods going forward. For the ones on the borderline, here’s our week 9 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em list for running backs.
Daily fantasy start of the week
Devonta Freeman vs. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have been a dumpster fire against the run and we’re anticipating the Falcons to start generating something on offense again.
Despite the struggles by Atlanta, Freeman has still been a fantasy machine. He’s totaled 13 points in each of his last two games, and that’s without a touchdown in either game.
He’s regularly putting up more than 100 total yards per game and against San Francisco, that should be a good sign for Freeman’s fantasy owners. The 49ers are a bottom 10 defense against the run, and they’re one week removed from allowing Gurley to ice the game away.
Freeman continues to be the dominating force on the Falcons and will run all over the 49ers.
Start
Jeremy Langford vs. San Diego Chargers
Matt Forte was in the middle of having another solid season before suffering a knee injury last week against the Minnesota Vikings.
That focus on the run won’t stop without Forte, though. In Forte’s absence, Langford totaled a career-high in touches and yards with 12 carries for 46 yards. He will no doubt play a vital role Monday against San Diego, which hasn’t done much against the run this season.
The Chargers allowed 100 yards in six consecutive games this season. The Bears like to use the running back out of the backfield in the passing game and don’t mind handing off the ball either.
We don’t believe Forte will be 100 percent. Because of that, the rookie will garner plenty of looks and should garner a start on your fantasy football team.
Darren McFadden vs. Philadelphia Eagles
We were slow to the McFadden party last week, mostly because the Seattle Seahawks’ defense was the opposition.
And while the Eagles haven’t been horrible against the run, they haven’t done well recently. In their last game, Carolina rushed all over Philadelphia. The Eagles have allowed more than 100 yards rushing in two of their four games, and we’re expecting the Cowboys to employ more of a rushing approach this week than it did last week against Seattle.
McFadden continued to garner plenty of looks last week and that should continue this week. Even against a stingy rush defense, McFadden still went over 100 total yards, thanks to almost 50 yards receiving out of the backfield.
We’re anticipating a solid outing for McFadden as he will dominate the workload once again.
Daily fantasy sit of the week
Chris Ivory vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Since going over 100 yards in two straight games, Ivory has underwhelmed significantly during the previous two weeks.
In the last two weeks, Ivory has 58 yards combined on the ground and 36 through the air.
With the Jets, he has the opportunity to garner several carries. But against Jacksonville, the running game likely won’t be the number-one option.
The Jaguars allow 3.5 yards per carry, the best mark in the NFL. With questions at the quarterback position, we believe that Ivory will be the featured back. However, we don’t believe his point total will be high enough to get a start on your DFS roster.
Sit
DeAngelo Williams vs. Oakland Raiders
By all means, pick up Williams off the waiver wire. But as long as you have other options at the running back position, put Williams on the bench for this one.
Surprisingly, the Raiders are pretty good against the run. In fact, they’re really good.
Oakland owns the second-best rush defense in the NFL. Oakland also is limiting opposing running backs to the second-fewest yards per carry.
And did you see what they did against Ivory as mentioned earlier?
The Steelers will pass often against the Raiders and will likely utilize Williams late if needed. Don’t take the risk and go with other options.
Frank Gore vs. Denver Broncos
No offense has any luck against Denver’s defense.
That’s why you shouldn’t risk your fantasy life against the Broncos.
The Colts continue to find themselves down early in games, limiting Gore’s ability to generate anything in the running game. Add in his age and the second half of the season doesn’t look good for Gore owners.
Denver owns the fourth-best rush defense to go along with a dynamic pass defense.
Gore also hasn’t topped 100 yards in any game this season. We didn’t like Gore as an option to begin the season, and we’re liking him less as a fantasy option now. Stay away from him in this matchup.
