Bijan Robinson has done many positive things as a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons. But has he done enough to make him your choice over the Dallas Cowboys‘ Tony Pollard as your starting running back on your fantasy team? We’ll break down the fantasy outlook for each player this week.
Should You Start Bijan Robinson or Tony Pollard This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that Pollard is the player to start. His projected 15.6 points include 57 rushing yards, three receptions, and 27 receiving yards. That projected stat line outperforms the consensus projections for Robinson (14.2 points).
However, when you isolate my rankings, I see Robinson outperforming Pollard this week, and the opponent for each player is a major reason for this decision.
Fantasy Outlook for Robinson This Week
Robinson is coming off a 62-yard rushing effort last week vs. the Titans, showing no ill effects from the headache that forced him out the previous week after just seven snaps. It was his most rushing yards in a game since Week 4 vs. Jacksonville (105 yards).
He also came up with his first career rushing touchdown last week, giving him three total touchdowns on the season.
For the season, Robinson is ninth in the NFL in rushing with 466 rush yards, and his 655 yards from scrimmage rank eighth among running backs. He’s also averaging 5.6 yards per touch, which ranks fifth among backs.
Along with his production, a major change going on with the Falcons is a factor in why I think Robinson will produce just a little bit more than Pollard.
Atlanta made a decision this week to bench Desmond Ridder at quarterback in favor of Taylor Heinicke. Regardless of your thoughts on the move, Heinicke started nine games last season for the Commanders, and in those starts, they were at their best when they ran the ball.
Washington was 5-1 in games in which they had 28+ rushing attempts in Heinicke’s starts, so it would stand to reason that the running game will be a big part of the Falcons’ game plan this week. Advantage: Robinson.
Fantasy Outlook for Pollard This Week
With 53 yards on the ground last week, Pollard had his best rushing game since Week 3, when he had 122 yards against the Cardinals, which represents his lone 100-yard game of the season.
Two weeks earlier against the Chargers, Pollard showed his ability as a receiver as well, with 80 receiving yards, the second most in his career.
MORE: Should You Start Raheem Mostert or Gus Edwards for Fantasy Football Week 9?
But while on paper, Pollard may look like the better choice over Robinson, the Cowboys have a big-time matchup at Philadelphia this week. Along with having the league’s best record, the Eagles also have the league’s best rush defense, allowing only 65.5 rushing yards per game.
In his career games vs. the Eagles, Pollard has averaged only 29 rushing yards per game, 3.6 yards per carry, and has not scored a touchdown.
For what it’s worth, the PFN Start/Sit Optimizer projects Pollard to finish with 80 yards and catch two passes for 13 yards.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!