I’m back again to guide you through your running back start/sit questions and help you win the championship. Week 5 of the NFL Season is already here. Last week was chaotic and sad because of the injuries that occurred. It’s been a brutal year for running back injuries. We continued to miss multiple running backs and saw players get banged up. This year will be a roller coaster like usual, filled with many highs and some lows. I’ll be here to help you navigate your lineups every week as you look towards winning that elusive championship.
Enjoy the NFL season, and remember it is only around for 18 weekends. Watch as much as you can and soak it all in. It goes by fast, and you don’t want to miss out on the best parts.
Also, enjoy the chaos, as this fantasy football season is unlike anything we have ever experienced. It’s a scary sight looking out at the many running back committees. However, I’ll do my best to advise you on your running back start/sit needs. Look below at my running back start/sit for Week 5.
I’ll be helping the Nerd Herd out this season with some running back Start/Sit for that week of fantasy football. Analysis and reasoning will be provided for every player that I mentioned. I’m here to help you win your fantasy football week and, ultimately, the championship. You might remember me from last year as I covered the start/sit for running backs. This year, I’m again covering the running back start/sit.
Be sure to follow our other start/sit articles and authors; they contain great advice to help you each week.
Changing the Call (QB): Mike Hicks
The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
12 Formation (TE): Steven Pintado
Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
There is one thing I want to note. For this article and every running back start/sit article I write, I won’t include players like Christian McCaffrey or Austin Ekeler. These are apparent starts so long as they aren’t on bye or injured. If you don’t start them, well, you’re a Taco. I’ll be focusing on players who are a bit harder to decide whether to start or what to expect from them. All scoring in this article series will be PPR. All stats/RB# number finishes come from FantasyPros. So, let’s make this a great season as we watch over 200+ games of NFL football. It’s back! Good luck with this dynasty fantasy football season.
Start: Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers, RB15
Jones made it through Week Four healthy after returning from a hamstring injury. It’s okay that he didn’t do much in that game, as the focus was on his health. Now, the Packers have a strong matchup against the woeful Raiders. Jones will get the ball a lot, especially in the passing game, as the Packers seek to help Jordan Love develop more. The Raiders are giving up the 12th most points to running backs. I’d expect an RB1 day for Jones, especially if you’re in a PPR league.
Start: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions, RB22
Gibbs should easily be able to finish higher than RB22. He’s facing the Carolina Panthers, who can’t get out of their own way. Gibbs may be the RB27 on the season, but with this great matchup, he could easily get into the top twenty. Gibbs is averaging a great 4.6 yards per carry, plus he already has 14 catches on 18 targets. To excite you a tad more, the Panthers are giving up the fourth most points to running backs, an average of 27.5 per game.
Honorable Mention: Breece Hall RB19, Jonathan Taylor RB27
Sit: Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams, RB12
Obviously, you’re starting Williams. He’s the RB3 in fantasy right now. But lower your expectations, or if you’re loaded at running back, start someone else. He’s only averaging 3.8 yards per carry, which isn’t very good. That doesn’t portend to a lot of success. Most of his points have come from the fact that he’s scored six touchdowns. There isn’t a worry about his touches, as he’s seeing a league-leading 84% of the offense’s snaps. Rather, it’s a concern for who he faces. He’s facing the Eagles. The Eagles have dominated every running back they’ve faced this season. Plus, they allow the second-fewest points to running backs, just 11.4.
Sit: Alexander Mattinson, Minnesota Vikings, RB21
Mattinson is having a bad season. Despite that, he’s the RB19 due mostly to running back injuries around the league. Mattinson isn’t likely to get many rushes this week as the Vikings face the Chiefs. The Chiefs are likely to run up the score early. This will prevent the Vikings from running the ball much at all. That limits Mattinson’s ability to score fantasy points. You’re praying for a touchdown. I don’t do that. I’d bench Mattinson if I have any other options.
Honorable Mention: Miles Sanders, RB25
Good luck this week with your running back start/sit dilemmas!
Good luck this week with your running back start/sit dilemmas!
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As always, May the Force be with You…
