While the Washington Commanders are getting more attention for the passing skills of QB Sam Howell, they have started to see more production from their running game. But is there a choice to be made between starting RB Brian Robinson Jr. or RB Antonio Gibson? Let’s look at the fantasy football outlook for each player ahead of Week 13.
Should You Start Brian Robinson Jr. or Antonio Gibson This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Robinson is the player to start. His projected 10.1 points include 68 rushing yards and one reception for six receiving yards. That projected stat line easily outperforms the consensus projection of Gibson’s 7.1 points.
My ranking for these Washington running backs aligns with the consensus. Robinson is looking more and more like the workhorse we saw during his rookie season, and that will make him much more productive than Gibson in fantasy leagues.
Fantasy Outlook for Robinson This Week
After going through a strange four-week stretch in which he averaged only 8.5 carries per game, Robinson is back to carrying the load for the Commanders on the ground.
Robinson has at least 18 rush attempts in three of his last four games, so clearly, Washington has gone back to featuring the second-year running back. The results are coming.
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Robinson is averaging 105.0 scrimmage yards and almost 19 touches per game (18.5) per game over his last four. For the season, Robinson leads the Commanders with 937 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns.
He ranks eighth among running backs in scrimmage yards and is tied for sixth among running backs in scrimmage touchdowns.
No matter how well Howell is throwing the ball, the Commanders have been at their best over the last two seasons when Robinson has the ball in his hands.
Since the start of last season, Washington is 8-4-1 when Robinson has 15 or more carries, and 2-9 when he has fewer than 15 carries.
I’m guessing this recent uptick in carries is not a fluke, and he will continue to get the ball — both on handoffs and catching out of the backfield.
Fantasy Outlook for Gibson This Week
Gibson’s best attribute to the Commanders has been his ability to catch passes, along with running the ball. After being inactive in Week 11 against the New York Giants, Gibson returned to the lineup and caught three passes out of the backfield — his fourth straight game with at least three receptions.
Unfortunately, in 36 offensive snaps on the field last week, Gibson only touched the ball nine times — six carries and three receptions — which totaled just 37 yards combined.
It’s hard to be a starter in a fantasy lineup when you can’t get the chance to put up numbers. Gibson just isn’t a main guy in the Commanders’ offense anymore, it appears.
The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer projects Gibson to finish with 20 yards with two receptions for 17 yards.
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