Starts
Start of the Week –
James Robinson vs Houston Texans
Robinson put up his first bad stat line this season, but I imagine he gets back on track with a very easy matchup with the Houston Texans. Their defense has allowed enemy running backs to find the endzone six times and have accumulated the sixth most fantasy points scored by backs this season. Start Robinson with confidence.
Todd Gurley vs Carolina Panthers
Gurley became the only part of Atlanta Falcons that worked against the Packers Monday night with two touchdowns. I firmly believe Gurley will be a huge part of the Falcons plan of attack when they take on the Carolina Panthers. Their defense has allowed the second most fantasy points to running backs, so put Gurley in locked and loaded.
David Johnson vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Johnson didn’t put up too many points last weekend against the Vikings. He does however have a big chance to do a lot of damage to an already broken Jacksonville Jaguars defense that just gave up three touchdowns to Joe Mixon last weekend and over 155 rushing yards. Look for David Johnson to have great moments this week!
Melvin Gordon vs New England Patriots
Gordon did very well against a stingy Jets defense last weekend, and now he has a challenge in the form of the New England Patriots. He’s scored 15 points in three of the four games he’s played this year. While the Chiefs and Clyde Edwards-Hellaire didn’t run all over them, I am confident in giving you the best choice, and that is to start Gordon this week.
Kenyan Drake vs New York Jets
Drake has been a huge disappointment so far this season, but honestly it is hard to argue his chance of success against the New York Jets this weekend. Their defense hasn’t been bad against running backs, but Melvin Gordon just scored two touchdowns on them last weekend. Here is hoping Drake finally gets his break this season.
Sleepers;
Devonta Freeman vs Dallas Cowboys
Antonio Gibson vs Los Angeles Rams
Jerick McKinnon vs Miami Dolphins
Sits
Sit of the Week –
Joe Mixon vs Baltimore Ravens
Mixon put on a clinic last weekend against Jacksonville, but I feel things will be much different against the Ravens. They have a much steadier rushing defense than Jacksonville. Plus, things will get out of hand when Lamar puts up points, and they won’t run as much. I’m just not the biggest fan of Mixon this week.
Kareem Hunt vs Indianapolis Colts
Hunt will be the main running back for the Browns now that Nick Chubb is on IR, but his matchup against the Colts is anything but a favorable one. Their rush defense has stopped backs in the past. The only way I see him doing well is honestly if the Colts are up by a bunch of points and they have to pass him the ball more.
Mark Ingram vs Cincinnati Bengals
Let me be clear here. The Bengals defense is not great against the run, but Baltimore is no longer a one-back system. There is Ingram, Dobbins, Edwards, and the quarterback Jackson. It is so hard to predict how this Ravens team is going to operate the running assault. Until it becomes Mark Ingram’s again, I just cannot trust him in the lineup.
David Montgomery vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Montgomery has to feed, and it is hard for Chicago to do that these days. It really is a shame due to Tarik Cohen being put on IR. The real kicker was that Lamar Miller was signed to the practice squad, so how long is it going to take to get him involved. They also play the Bucs this Thursday and their defense has proven to hold backs in their place.
Joshua Kelley vs New Orleans Saints
I know everyone is trying to scramble to get this kid in the wake of Austin Ekeler’s injury. Pause the button people. Kelley has proven to be a good back, but honestly I believe Justin Jackson will have a huge part in Monday’s game taking away from the Kelley experience. So while it isn’t a complete fade, its a low reward flex at best.
Busts;
Latavius Murray vs Los Angeles Chargers
Myles Gaskin vs San Francisco 49ers
Rex Burkhead vs Denver Broncos
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