Both Carolina Panthers running backs are coming off a game where each had 50 or more rushing yards against the Dallas Cowboys. Will that make fantasy football managers think harder when it comes to starting either Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders for this week’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans? Let’s break down the numbers for each player.
Should You Start Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders This Week?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say that Hubbard is the player to start. His projected 8.0 points include 38 rushing yards, two catches, and 18 receiving yards. That projected stat line still outperforms the consensus projections of Sanders’ 5.7 points.
My ranking for these two running backs aligns with the consensus. Hubbard has just been more consistent lately than Sanders, so he should get the starting nod in fantasy lineups.
Fantasy Outlook for Hubbard This Week
Hubbard continues to get the start for the Panthers in the backfield and to be somewhat productive. After getting only 35 carries for 154 yards over his first five games, Hubbard has 69 rush attempts for 254 yards over his last five games.
The continued workload as the starter should be a telling sign that, if he’s starting, Hubbard will be getting the ball.
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One fair concern for fantasy football managers is the inconsistency of Hubbard’s production. Over his last six games, here are Hubbard’s rushing yards by game:
35 yards, 88 yards, 28 yards, 58 yards, 23 yards, and 57 yards.
That’s a difference of at least 30 rushing yards from game to game over the last month and a half.
Still, there should also be concern over the fact that, out of 127 total touches on offense this season, only one touch has resulted in a touchdown for Hubbard.
The Tennessee Titans also present an interesting opponent for the Panthers this week. Tennessee ranks in the middle of the pack in rush defense (17th), allowing 112.3 rush yards per game. But after not allowing an opponent to rush for even 80 yards in any of their first four games, the Titans have allowed 125 or more rush yards in five of their last six games.
Fantasy Outlook for Sanders This Week
After being relegated to a backup role after he returned from injury, there didn’t seem to be much reason to consider Sanders as a starter in any fantasy lineup.
Then, out of nowhere last week, Sanders carried the ball 11 times for 50 yards — easily his best game since Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.
So, was that a sign that things are about to change in the backfield for the Panthers?
Probably not — at least not this week, anyway. While he did have one more carry than Hubbard last week, he still finished with seven fewer rushing yards.
Sanders may get more touches than Hubbard as the season heads toward the finish line. But for this week, I’m still looking at Hubbard over Sanders.
The PFN Start/Sit Optimizer projects Sanders to finish with 38 rushing yards and one catch for three 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!