The Houston Texans’ backfield continues evolving as the committee approach takes new shape each week. Nick Chubb and Woody Marks enter Week 9 after another week of contrasting performances that highlight their respective roles within the offense. Can fantasy football managers trust either Texans runner against the Denver Broncos this week?
Nick Chubb Fantasy Outlook
Nick Chubb bounced back from his woeful 2.1-point effort to post a respectable 8.9 fantasy points last week against the San Francisco 49ers. Chubb’s snap share increased from 25% to 44% in the victory, highlighting his game script dependency. The veteran carried the ball 17 times for 56 yards and caught both targets for 13 yards in a game the Texans won handily.
Chubb remains incredibly reliant on favorable game conditions to generate meaningful fantasy production. When Houston can play their normal offense and control tempo, he becomes a safe bet for 12 or more opportunities. The veteran’s workload benefited from the team playing with a lead for most of the contest, as he beat Marks 8-5 in first-half carries and 9-6 in the second half.
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The former Cleveland Browns star maintains his role in short-yardage and goal-line situations where his experience provides value. Chubb’s ball security and physical running style keep him involved when Houston needs tough yards between the tackles. However, his limited receiving ability restricts his involvement when the Texans fall behind and must abandon their ground game.
Chubb faces significant challenges when negative game scripts force Houston into passing mode. The veteran managed just 3.3 yards per carry last week despite receiving 17 attempts, highlighting his declining effectiveness as a pure rusher. Fantasy managers should expect volatile production based entirely on game flow and Houston’s ability to control contests.
Woody Marks Fantasy Outlook
Marks clearly established himself as the superior talent despite receiving fewer carries than Chubb last week. Marks rushed 11 times for 62 yards on an impressive 5.6 yards per carry while catching all four targets for 49 yards. The rookie has now posted double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four games, demonstrating consistent production.
Marks stands as the only Texans running back to hit a 60% snap share in any game this season. The USC product provides versatility that Chubb cannot match, contributing effectively in both rushing and receiving situations. Marks’ route-running ability allows him to remain valuable regardless of game script, as evidenced by his pass-catching numbers.
The rookie outpaced Chubb in nearly every efficiency metric during their Week 8 performances. Marks led in rushing yards despite fewer carries and dominated the receiving work with four catches compared to Chubb’s two. The coaching staff clearly recognizes his superior explosiveness and overall skill set.
Marks offers the higher floor due to his receiving profile and the more secure ceiling through his big-play ability. The rookie’s 1.3% higher target share than Chubb may seem modest, but his route participation and hands make him the preferred option when Houston needs pass-catching production. However, fantasy managers should not necessarily expect continued role expansion as the season progresses.
Should You Start Chubb or Marks This Week?
Denver presents a challenging matchup for both running backs this week. The Broncos allow the ninth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to running backs, with their 3.8 yards per attempt allowed ranking fifth best in the league. Houston enters as small home favorites, suggesting game script may not get away from them completely, though.
The Broncos have shown some vulnerability against pass-catching backs throughout the season. Denver has allowed 16.3% of their total receiving yards to running backs, creating potential opportunities for Marks to exploit. This receiving component represents the primary avenue for fantasy production in what projects as a low-scoring contest between two elite defenses.
Chubb faces a very difficult spot against Denver’s stout run defense. The veteran will likely need to fall into the end zone to have any realistic hope of cracking double-digit fantasy points. His limited receiving ability eliminates multiple paths to production against a defense that excels at stopping traditional rushing attacks.
Marks emerges as the better option due to his receiving profile and superior efficiency metrics. The rookie’s pass-catching ability provides a fallback option if the rushing attack struggles against Denver’s formidable front seven. Both players are best left on fantasy benches this week, but Marks offers slightly better upside potential if forced into lineups due to injury or bye week constraints.