Injuries and bye weeks continue to cause lineup issues, forcing fantasy football managers to face even further difficult lineup decisions. Let’s take a look at our Week 11 RB start ’em and sit ’em plays.
Week 11 Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
We are now officially in the back half of the fantasy regular season. The stakes are higher, and every decision feels like it will make or break your season. As always, Pro Football Network will do its best to steer you in the right direction. Let’s get into this week’s start ’em and sit ’em plays at the running back position for Week 11.
Start ‘Em | Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (@ PHI)
It didn’t sound like Alvin Kamara was particularly close to playing last week. My initial suspicion upon hearing of his knee injury was it would cost him 2-3 weeks. If that is indeed the case, he’ll be out again this week.
Without Kamara, Mark Ingram played a true every-down role. He didn’t take the Kamara role with someone else filling the Ingram role. It was only Ingram. All the time.
Ingram played 85% of the offensive snaps last week, which is a higher rate than Kamara played in either of the two games since Ingram rejoined the team. Last week, Ingram handled 13 carries and saw 7 targets for a combined 104 yards and a touchdown.
Not only do the Eagles allow the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs, but they also struggle at defending receiving backs. Against the Eagles, 24.5% of targets go to the running back position. Unless Kamara makes a miraculous recovery, Ingram is an RB1 once again.
Start ‘Em | Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (@ NYJ)
I am sure I’ll regret this one. No one would ever mistake Myles Gaskin for a special talent. In fact, over the past two weeks, he’s resembled former Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage (hat tip to our CEO Matt Cannata, Ballage’s most outspoken advocate). Gaskin’s taken a whopping 34 carries and turned them into just 65 yards. It is eerily reminiscent of Ballage’s 2019 season, where he carried the ball 74 times for 135 yards — a truly astonishing feat of futility.
So why would I ever recommend starting Gaskin? Well, it’s the Jets. New York allows the most fantasy points to running backs, including the highest percentage of targets against them to the position (27%). Gaskin has seen at least 4 targets in all but two games this season.
Additionally, Gaskin’s volume remains elite. Despite being woefully inefficient, Gaskin touched the ball 26 times in Week 9 and another 15 touches in Week 10. His snap shares the past two weeks have been 72% and 61%, respectively.
The Dolphins’ offense should be much better this week with Tua Tagovailoa starting. They have a soft matchup against the Jets, and Gaskin remains the clear lead back. Hold your nose and just dive in the pool that is Gaskin this week.
Week 11 Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
One matchup this week looks juicy, but I’d recommend staying away. These running backs should be left on your bench in Week 11.
Sit ‘Em | Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team (@ CAR)
I’m going back to the well with Antonio Gibson. He made me look foolish last week as I (and everyone else) completely misread the game script for the Football Team vs. Bucs matchup.
Instead of Washington trailing and playing catch up with J.D. McKissic, they milked a lead with Gibson. That led to Gibson handling a season-high 24 carries. He still turned them into just 64 yards and remained a non-factor in the passing game (2 catches for 14 yards). The difference? Gibson fell into the end zone twice.
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This week, Washington again faces a stout run defense. They are on the road against a Panthers defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Last week felt like Washington’s Super Bowl. They almost beat the Bucs in the Wild Card round last season and finished the job this time around. This game screams letdown. If I’m correct, the Football Team will be trailing this week, which means more McKissic and fewer opportunities for Gibson to punch in short touchdowns. Don’t get caught chasing last week’s production. Sit Gibson.
Sit ‘Em | Boston Scott and Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NO)
Miles Sanders is tentatively expected to return this week. However, even if he doesn’t, this is an awful spot for Boston Scott and Jordan Howard. The Eagles’ replacements for Sanders have looked better than Sanders ever has. (Maybe because they’re better than Sanders? I digress.)
If Sanders returns, Howard would likely be the 1B to Sanders’ 1A, while Scott would fade into obscurity. In that case, they’d be relatively easy sits. Even if Sanders doesn’t come back, this is a bad matchup for Philly RBs.
The Saints allow the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs and limit RB production through the air. Last week, the Saints held the Titans to 66 total rushing yards. The week before, they limited the Falcons to just 34.
You do not want to start running backs against the Saints if you can avoid it. Obviously, when it comes to every week studs, you start them no matter what. Scott and Howard do not qualify. Regardless of Sanders’ status, they are better left out of lineups this week.
