Let’s face it. There are just too many teams featuring backfields who don’t have a single reliable running back that fantasy players can start on a regular basis right now. When it comes to RB’s in PPR scoring formats, Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey and Vikings back Dalvin Cook are the cream of the crop. Raiders rookie Josh Jacobs and Browns second-year back Nick Chubb have also been very reliable. However, even Packers RB Aaron Jones , who has at least three TD’s in two games this season, and Cowboys back Zeke Elliott, have been inconsistent from time-to-time this season.
When it comes to teams featuring backfields that should be avoided and can’t be trusted by fantasy football players this week, none have been more frustrating recently than the following:
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have long been notorious for infuriating fantasy players because of their use of a running-back-by-committee approach, but for a while this season, Jordan Howard was a startable option on a weekly basis. Unfortunately he missed last week’s action due to a shoulder injury. If he can’t go this week, the Eagles backfield will feature a mish mosh of Miles Sanders, Boston Scott and maybe even a little Jay Ajayi this week. Of the three, Sanders has the best fantasy value this week… but don’t get your hopes too high.
Kansas City Chiefs
Think back to Andy Reid’s preseason press conference where he suggested that the Chiefs might employ a committee approach to their backfield. The guy wasn’t lying. Darrel Williams and LeSean McCoy both played a significant number of offensive snaps in Week 11 and Damien Williams would have played a bunch as well if he hadn’t gotten hurt in the middle of the game. Chiefs RB’s know that if they fumble the ball like McCoy did a few weeks ago they might find themselves right in Reid’s dog house. It’s gotten to the point where fantasy players can’t figure out which Chiefs RB to start. If Damien Williams misses time due to his rib injury at least fantasy players will have one less Chiefs running back from which to choose from.
New England Patriots
Not surprisingly, the Patriots are using a three-headed monster in their backfield. Sony Michel has been getting the most carries from among the three but he’s only averaging 3.3 YPC this season. James White led Patriot RB’s by playing 43-percent of the team’s offensive snaps. His numbers haven’t exactly been electrifying this season, but he’s always worthy of a start in PPR scoring formats. Lastly, when Rex Burkhead is healthy, he’s going to play. He played in 28-percent of the Pats’ snaps last week and while he only recorded five carries and three receiving targets, they still took away potential production from Michel and White. Michel is still worth a start in fantasy based on the fact that he’s averaging just over 15 carries a game, but he’s yet to post a 100-yard rushing game this season, so temper your expectations.
There’s been too much negativity in this article so let’s leave you on a high note. As we alluded to last week, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt can co-exist. Chubb has 47 carries and has averaged 4.43 YPC in the two games Hunt has played in. Hunt already has 13 catches in those two games. Both RB’s have a very favorable matchup against the Dolphins who’ve given up the seventh-most fantasy points per game this season.
Team | Primary RB | Change of Pace | 3rd Down Back | Handcuff | IR/PUP/Susp./Holdout/Injured |
Arizona Cardinals | Chase Edmonds hasn’t played since week 8 (hamstring) The Cardinals are on a bye this week. | ||||
Atlanta Falcons | Quadree Ollison/Kenjon Barner | Ito Smith on IR, Devonta Freeman (foot) could miss this week’s game, but watch his progress. | |||
Baltimore Ravens | |||||
Buffalo Bills | |||||
Carolina Panthers | |||||
Chicago Bears |
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Cincinnati Bengals |
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Cleveland Browns | |||||
Dallas Cowboys |
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Denver Broncos |
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Detroit Lions | Kerryon Johnson , Tra Carson on IR | ||||
Green Bay Packers |
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Houston Texans |
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Indianapolis Colts | Marlon Mack – broken hand | ||||
Jacksonville Jaguars |
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Kansas City Chiefs | *Rib injury-watch his status as game time approaches | ||||
Los Angeles Chargers | |||||
Los Angeles Rams |
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Miami Dolphins | |||||
Minnesota Vikings |
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New England Patriots |
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New Orleans Saints |
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New York Giants |
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New York Jets | Le’Veon Bell | ||||
Oakland Raiders |
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Philadelphia Eagles | Darren Sproles ,*missed Week 11 matchup, but watch his progress | ||||
Pittsburgh Steelers | Benny Snell (knee), *dealing with a shoulder injury, but watch his status as game time approaches | ||||
San Francisco 49ers | Jerick McKinnon on IR, *Breida dealing with ankle injury and missed last week’s contest | ||||
Seattle Seahawks |
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
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Tennessee Titans |
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Washington Redskins |