Start Week 8 ‘Em: Run Backs
Bias: Cardinals, football team, Jaguars, Texans
The beginning of the week
Todd Gurley on Panthers (TNF)
Gurley made a pair of touchdowns last week, one involving “by accident” and has now been awarded 19-plus fantasy points in three of his last four games. One of those contests was a game against the Panthers, who beat him by 25 points in the 5th week. Gurley meets Carolina again this week, this time on Thursday night. Overall, the Panthers have allowed nine total touchdowns and the third most imaginative points on enemy backs. Gurley should be for another good line, so keep it in your lineups.
Week 8 Start ‘Em, Sit’ Em
More: Week 8 Rankings, Articles, Reports and Resources Center
Start ‘Em
Boston Scott Vs. Cowboy (SNF)
Scott came big for fantasy fans last week, scoring 18.2 points in Thursday night’s win over the Giants. If Miles Sanders (knee) can’t go once again, Scott RB2 will be in the mix when the Eagles host the Cowboys. Compassionate defense, running backwards, allows eight total touchdowns and a position to the ninth-most imaginative position. What’s more, Dallas has allowed four backs to get 18-plus points, including Antonio Gibson, who has put up 128 scrimmage yards and touchdowns.
Melvin Gordon vs. Chargers
Change! The last two weeks Gordon didn’t look all that great, as he lost two fumbles and put up a mediocre 12 fantasy points. The Broncos lost Philip Lindsay (concussion) in the game, and his position at 8th week is in question. If Lindsay eventually gets out, Gordon will have a solid RB2 against his former team, the Chargers. His defense has been poor against the running back of the enemy, which became clear last week when James Robbins put up about 32 imaginary points. You should start Gordon in a game where he will be inspired.
Darrell Henderson on the Dolphins
Henderson is locked at the top of the Rams depth chart as he continues to lead backfield in quickness and touch with a win over the Bears. What’s more, Cam Acres hasn’t even touched the ball in recent weeks. The Rams are also fourth in the NFL in run percentage, and Henderson is in a good position to succeed when the Rams face the Dolphins. His defense struggles against the back, averaging 145.7 total yards and positioning the eight most fantasy points.
Le Woven Bell vs. Jets
This is a game of revenge to end all revenge games! Bell, who was released by the Jets a few weeks ago, is in the most precise position of the penalty when he will face Man in the green this week. His defense has allowed a total of eight touchdowns and runners a seventh-most fantasy point and a 20.5-point spread suggests this will be a hit. A better way to put a nice line for Bell than this, maybe already in hand for the Chiefs in the first part? I consider it a flex starter this weekend.
More start
- Mike Davis v. Falcons (TNF)
- Giants at Ronald Jones (MNF)
- Giovanni Bernard v. Titans
DFS Bargains
- Melvin Gordon vs. Chargers (Draftkings: 5,600)
- Le Woven Bell vs. Jets (Draftkings: 4,600)
- Zack Moss vs. Patriots (Draftkings: 4,400)
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Week 8 Seat ‘M: Running Backs
Sit for a week
David Montgomery vs. Saints
Montgomery was part of my 7-week backseat of the week, and it ended with a ho-hum 11.9 fantasy points. Running back with at least four games (13.2 ppg) of fantasy points per game, he is now out of the top 25 and his 0.77 fantasy points per touch average is awesome. Next up is the date with the Saints, who have allowed five touchdowns and the eighth-lowest points to the runners. The average touch of Montgomery’s touch will keep him in a relaxed conversation, but I’m angry at the expectations again.
Sit down ‘m
Devin Singlettery vs. Patriots
The Patriots have been running backs for the past two weeks, with both Philip Lindsay and Jeff Wilson Jr. running against each other. Still, it’s hard to believe in singlettery. He has failed to absorb good matchups in recent weeks, and the return of Zack Moss has accentuated the singles ’quickness and touch. The fact that it averages less than four yards per rush, is nowhere to be found for fantasy fans. I could argue that Moss, not SingleTree, is a better fantasy this week.
Jericho McKinnon on Sihxx
McKinnon barely touched the ball in last week’s win over the Patriots, after Ninar’s coach Kyle Shanah admitted he was resting P’s back. Jeff Wilson Jr. was shown to return to the competition, but he was injured late and is out of his mix in the 8th week. That leaves McCann Keenan and Jemakel Hasty as the backs of the Niners, although Tavin Coleman could also return from the injured reserve. Regardless of what figures the very confusing committee has, I would fade McKinnon in another straight week.
Miles Gaskin vs. Rums
Gaskin is getting a ton of volume running at the top in Miami, so he’s always on the flex starter radar. This week’s matchup, though, is nothing but convenient. The Rams have been tough on the back, allowing just 85 rushing yards and the 10th lowest fantasy points this season. What’s more, only Ezekiel Elliott and Miles Sanders have scored more than 16.1 imaginary points against him. Ramsey also puts David Montgomery, Antonio Gibson and Rahim Mustart on less than 12 imaginary points.
Justin Jackson v. Broncos
Jackson was in a good position to succeed last week, but he scored a mediocre 10.5 fantasy points and was second only to Joshua Kelly in both snaps and touch. This has all the look of a backfield committee, and the matchup against the Broncos is anything but favorable. His defense has been tough to run backs, pointing to two running scores and an imaginary position at number three. What’s more, only James Conner and Derrick Henry have posted more than 73 scrimmage yards in front of them.
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More seats
- Devanta Freeman vs. Buchananers (MNF)
- Mark Ingram vs. Steelers
- Adrian Peterson v
DFS fades
- Alexander Mattison on the Packers (Draftkings: 6,000)
- David Montgomery vs. Saints (Draftkings: 5,900)
- Jericho McKinen on the Seahawks (Draftkings: 5,700)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fictional football analyst at Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, And Instagram For the latest news and analysis!
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