The Carolina Panthers‘ offense has a tough task ahead of it, as the Dallas Cowboys and their third-ranked defense come to town. So, which of the Panthers’ running backs — Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders — should fantasy football managers consider starting this week? Let’s break down the numbers for each player.
Should You Start Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Hubbard is the player to start. His projected 9.5 points include 45 rushing yards, two catches, and 21 receiving yards. That projected stat line still outperforms the consensus projections of Sanders’ 5.1 points.
My ranking for these two running backs aligns with the consensus. Sanders is simply not getting enough touches to warrant putting him in your fantasy lineup over Hubbard.
Fantasy Outlook for Hubbard This Week
Hubbard has shown flashes of potential to be a quality back on fantasy teams. Back in Week 6, he rushed for a season-high 88 yards against the Miami Dolphins, the third-highest rushing total of his career.
However, since that Week 6 game, Hubbard has averaged just 36.3 rush yards per game and less than three yards a carry (2.7).
If you’re looking for a reason to start Hubbard over Sanders in fantasy football this week, the biggest factor working in Hubbard’s favor is his snap count.
Hubbard was only on the field for 50% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps last week, but that was still more than Sanders had (38%), and it was also the fifth time in the last six games that Hubbard participated in at least half of the Panthers’ offensive snaps.
Prior to last week, Hubbard had averaged nearly 17 carries a game (16.7), and he still has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s had at least two catches in seven of his nine games this season.
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One thing that needs to turn around for Hubbard is his production at home. Although he is averaging nearly 12 carries a game at home (11.8), he is averaging just three yards a career (3.0). On the road, that average is well over four yards a carry (4.4).
Fantasy Outlook for Sanders This Week
It is hard to believe that a player who signed a four-year deal in the offseason to be the Panthers’ big-time running back can’t get more than four touches in a prime-time game.
Still, that is the case for Sanders, who has seen Hubbard become the Panthers’ featured back more often than not. To be fair, Sanders has dealt with an array of injuries this season — shoulder, groin, and neck — so a lot of that can be attributed to Sanders’ lack of production this season.
That said, last week was his third game back, and he could only get those four touches.
The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer projects Sanders to finish with 28 rush yards and one catch for three yards.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
