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Fantasy Football Week 2: Running Backs Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em
The NFL season is officially underway and fantasy football owners are looking daily at their teams to decide who to play.
The running back position remains one of the most fluid given the overall depth of the position. There remain a handful of teams that feature a premiere back but others will play multiple options.
When looking at your lineup in Week 2, considered these starts and sits.
Start ‘Em
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots, vs. Seattle Seahawks: The Patriots played a perfect game defensively against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Stevenson was the clear featured back offensively. He got 28 touches and was on the field for 51 plays. The Seahawks have struggled against the run and this will be the game plan for New England in this one.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants, at Washington Commanders: The Giants fell behind early in Week 1 and had to go away from the run but we saw Singletary dominate snaps, totaling 50 on the afternoon. He is the clear No. 1 back in New York and will be going up against a Washington defense that got shredded on the grond in Week 1.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans, vs. New York Jets: Early season, it is important to focus on which players are getting the most touches. In Week 1, that was Pollard in Tennessee. He logged 16 carries, which was 12 more than Tyjae Spears. He totaled 94 yards and a score. Pollard was also involved in the passing game, which was thought to be Spears’ area of expertise. The Jets got gashed in Week 1 on the ground. Do not expect this to happen each week but Pollard’s overall usage makes him a valuable start.
J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers, at Carolina Panthers: Dobbins is finally healthy and getting on the field for the new-look Chargers. He played 59% of snaps on Sunday. He finished with 10 carries and a touchdown. The Panthers gave up nearly 200 yards on the ground in the opening week. If the game is lopsided, the backs will be used in this one.
Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders, vs. New York Giants: Washington brought in Austin Ekeler in free agency and he will be used as a pass catcher primarily. When the ball is on the ground, it will be Robinson but he also added three catches, one a yard short of the end zone. The Giants allowed Minnesota to go up and down the field in the opener. Washington could look a bit more cohesive in Week 2 and this makes Robinson a must-start.
Sit ‘Em
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders, at Baltimore Ravens: White was one of the darlings of the offseason but played fewer snaps than Alexander Mattison in Week 1. He carried the ball 13 times and saw two targets. Mattison played 59% of the snaps and was used much more in the passing game. In a difficult matchup against Baltimore, the ball will not be on the ground much.
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears, at Houston Texans: Swift came to Chicago where many thought he would be the primary back. He saw just 10 touches in the opening week. This could have been a product of the score. The Bears trailed 17-0 and did not score an offensive touchdown. This showed that Swift might not be used in the passing game and that the Bears are not shy about using multiple backs.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys, vs. New Orleans Saints: Do not be fooled by a decent line for Elliott in his first game back with Dallas. He was able to get in the end zone and finished with 12.9 fantasy points in Week 1. He played in 32 snaps, which was four more than Rico Dowdle. Moving forward, this will be a difficult spot to play any Dallas running back. As the season goes on, Dowdle can see more snaps.
Javontae Williams, Denver Broncos, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Williams split time with Jaleel McLaughlin in Week 1. Both could not get going in the run game and McLaughlin had more targets and two more carries. This is a true split in the backfield and does not make Williams an intriguing option.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers, vs. Los Angeles Chargers: It is hard to trust any Panther right now. Hubbard was on the field more than Miles Sanders but had just one more carry and was not an option thought the air. He fell short of two fantasy points and had just 14 yards.
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