One of the key components to fantasy football success is making the correct lineup decisions. Here to help you make those decisions are our positional start ’em and sit ’em picks.
Fantasy decisions are more important than ever with playoff spots and playoff positioning on the line, so let’s look at our Week 11 start/sit plays for the RB position.
Which RBs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (at DEN)
Just two short weeks ago, Ty Chandler was buried as the RB3 on the Vikings’ depth chart. Since then, Cam Akers tore his other Achilles, and now Alexander Mattison is in the concussion protocol.
It is possible Mattison gets cleared this week, in which case Chandler would no longer be a recommended start. However, I write this on Tuesday, and as of now, I am operating under the presumption Mattison will miss a week.
If Mattison is indeed out, that would put Chandler in the RB1 role against a Broncos run defense allowing the most PPG, by far. They are surrendering 5.6 yards per carry to running backs — the second-worst team is at 4.6.
The Broncos have been playing better defensively overall, but they still struggle against the run. Anyone watching them against the Bills on Monday night saw James Cook and Latavius Murray do whatever they wanted all game.
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Even before Mattison went down last week, Chandler was pushing for more of a role. His touchdown came before Mattison’s concussion.
Chandler could’ve been looking at an increased role this week, regardless. Without Mattison, he may crest a 60% snap share. In a favorable matchup on an offense that is still scoring a ton of points, that is someone you want in fantasy lineups.
Update: Given that Mattison has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to play Sunday night, Chandler is no longer as exciting of an option. I do still think Chandler is a viable Flex play even with Mattison active, but I would no longer be looking for ways to get him in my lineups. By way of example, I am starting Darrell Henderson over Chandler in a league.
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT)
Playing the Packers’ anemic offense last week helped the Steelers’ defensive numbers against running backs. But this remains a run-funnel defense.
The Steelers still allow the 12th-most PPG to RBs. And Jerome Ford is coming off a 17-carry, 107-yard effort against the Ravens.
It is clear Ford is the lead back, and Kareem Hunt’s previous increased usage was purely a product of Ford’s injury. Now fully healthy, this is once again Ford’s backfield.
The Browns are at home and remain slight favorites despite the downgrade from Deshaun Watson to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. While this definitely reduces the likelihood the Browns will be in scoring position for Ford, they will almost certainly implement a more run-heavy game plan to do their best to hide their rookie quarterback.
Given the Steelers’ atrocious offense and the Browns’ elite defense, it should be another heavy dose of Ford. Get him in lineups this week.
Which RBs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
D’Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears (at DET)
With Ty Chandler, part of the thesis is I’m projecting Mattison to miss. With D’Onta Foreman, it is the opposite, as I am projecting Khalil Herbert to return.
Last week, Herbert got in three full practices, but the Bears declined to activate him from IR. Foreman got another start and crushed it, carrying the ball 21 times for 80 yards and a touchdown.
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This week, I am concerned about both Foreman’s workload with Herbert back and the matchup. The Lions have been one of the most difficult teams to run on this season. They’re allowing 16.4 ppg to the position, the fifth-fewest in the league. Opposing running backs are averaging just 3.6 YPC against them.
Foreman is not very active as a pass catcher. Last week’s two catches for 12 yards are about as good as it gets. That means he needs to rely on rushing efficiency and touchdowns to produce. If Foreman carries the ball 15 times for 60 yards, catches one pass, and doesn’t score, what exactly does that do for your fantasy team? The answer is not much. He is a sit this week.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. DAL)
There are spots to start Chuba Hubbard. This is not one of them. Despite being the clear lead back for the Panthers, Hubbard hasn’t really seen an increase in production. He’s scored between 5.9 and 10.7 fantasy points over his last three games.
Now, the Panthers are heavy home underdogs against one of the best defenses in football. The Cowboys allow the eighth-fewest PPF to running backs. Opposing running backs average 3.6 YPC against them.
Anything can happen in the NFL, but the most likely outcome for this game is the Panthers get completely smoked. That will force them to abandon the run early. Hubbard’s only hope of a productive fantasy day is to gobble up a few receptions. We have yet to see that from him this season. It is not something fantasy managers should bank on. Sit him.
Trending Searches for RB Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity on!
Should You Start Jerome Ford or Isiah Pacheco?
If Watson were playing, I would definitely feel better about Ford. But I still think he sees massive volume in an incredibly favorable matchup. You can’t go wrong if you start Ford.
As for Isiah Pacheco, his role is great as the lead back in a Patrick Mahomes offense. However, the matchup couldn’t be worse.
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The Eagles allow the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. As if that isn’t bad enough, they are terrible against the pass. The Eagles are this year’s ultimate pass funnel defense. I suspect Andy Reid is well aware that the way to beat the Chiefs is through the air. And he has just the guy to do it.
We could be looking at an inefficient game for Pacheco on the ground. He will have to supplement his production with passing game work and touchdowns. Fortunately, the game environment should be great.
This could be an epic shootout in this Super Bowl rematch. Compared to the low-scoring slog that likely is Browns-Steelers, Pacheco gets the edge over Ford here.
Should You Start Chuba Hubbard or Najee Harris?
For this one, we have two running backs in horrible matchups. Hubbard has to face the Cowboys in a game where there’s a legitimate chance his team doesn’t score any points.
Najee Harris gets the Browns, who surrender the sixth-fewest PPG to running backs. He also faces much stiffer competition for touches in his backfield from the talented Jaylen Warren. Hubbard doesn’t have any other talented backs on the roster.
The Start/Sit Optimizer has Harris ahead 10.1-8.9 on Hubbard. I agree. Although Harris does have a very difficult matchup, so does Hubbard. Harris has hit double-digits in four straight games. Hubbard doesn’t even have four double-digit efforts on the season. Start Harris.
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, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!