One of the key components to fantasy football success is making the correct lineup decisions. Here to help you make those decisions are our positional start ’em and sit ’em picks.
Fantasy decisions will only get more difficult from here on out, so let’s take a look at our Week 8 start/sit plays for the RB position.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Which RBs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (vs. CAR)
This guy has been on my sell list since about Week 3 or 4. My hope for those of you who were unable to move him is that I’m right about what he can do this week, which will reopen the window.
Dameon Pierce has been one of the worst picks you could’ve made in the fourth or fifth round. He’s averaging just 8.6 PPG and is outside the top 36 running backs.
The Texans RB is averaging a paltry 2.9 yards per carry. The key to him maintaining any semblance of value was his volume. At the very least, he was handling the bulk of the touches.
Well, two weeks ago, before the Texans’ bye, Pierce played just 33% of the snaps. He was outsnapped and outplayed by fellow Houston rusher Devin Singletary.
It’s entirely possible that Pierce has just lost his job or that this is now a timeshare. Even so, the matchup this week is worth chasing.
The Panthers allow the second-most points per game to running backs — they’re surrendering 1.8 touchdowns per game to the position. Only the Denver Broncos allow a worse yards-per-attempt average than the Carolina Panthers’ 5.3. If Pierce can’t at least post RB2 numbers this week, it’s over for him.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (at HOU)
For the other start’em of the week, we’re sticking with this game. With starter Miles Sanders out, Chuba Hubbard played 77% of the snaps in Week 6. His 16.0 fantasy points were just 1.2 short of Sanders’ best performance all season.
MORE: Week 8 Start/Sit Options — QB | WR | TE
More importantly, Hubbard just looks like the better back. He’s averaging 4.48 yards per carry against Sanders’ 3.11. He creates more yards per touch and evades more tackles per touch, as well.
Sanders was never a special player, but neither was Hubbard. Still, he’s the guy playing better now. Even if Sanders returns this week, as expected, I’m not so sure he’s getting the lead job back.
The Texans currently allow the ninth-most points per game to running backs. They also have seen 16% of their receiving yards allowed go to running backs. That’s slightly below average, which is good for Hubbard, who is a better receiver than Sanders.
If you have Hubbard and are scared of Sanders returning, don’t be. Hubbard is the better player and is still worth a start.
Which RBs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (vs. MIN)
In Week 1, Aaron Jones looked like his usual, explosive self. He looked like one of the best picks you could’ve made in the third round. Then, he pulled up lame on a touchdown reception.
Jones’ hamstring strain lingered for nearly two months. It cost him three full games. And if we’re being truthful, it’s really cost him five games overall.
Seven weeks later, Jones is still not right. At this point, fantasy managers cannot trust Jones until he proves he’s back. At 29 years old, there’s a nonzero chance it’s over for him, which would be very unfortunate because it’s not due to declining ability but rather health.
The Minnesota Vikings have surprisingly been one of the best run defenses in the league. They’ve allowed the fifth-fewest points per game to running backs.
Even after facing the San Francisco 49ers and RB Christian McCaffrey last week, they’re still the third-toughest team for running backs out of the backfield. Just 8.3% of Minnesota’s receiving yards allowed have gone to running backs. That’s bad news for Jones, who ran fewer routes than fellow Packers RB AJ Dillon last week.
Fantasy managers can’t really do anything with Jones to make the situation better. You can’t trade him, and you can’t drop him. You just have to bench him and hope he shows signs of life.
Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. PHI)
For where he was drafted, Brian Robinson Jr. has been of tremendous value this season. He’s averaging 13.6 points per game and is a solid RB2. He’s also entirely touchdown-dependent.
Robinson has scored six times this season, which is awesome. It’s also inflating his perceived performance. As is his 28.9-point explosion against the hapless Broncos in Week 2.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Outside of that game, Robinson hasn’t topped 13.6 fantasy points, which, coincidentally, is his average on the season. The only games he got there were the ones in which he scored.
Well, the Philadelphia Eagles don’t really like when running backs score — or really do anything against them. They are the top run defense in fantasy, allowing the fewest points per game to the position. They’re allowing just 0.3 rushing scores per game. Only the Seahawks allow a lower yards per carry than the Eagles’ 3.3.
This is shaping up to be a bad week for “BRob.” Last week, he scored a menial 8.3 fantasy points with a touchdown. I am terrified to think of what his line might look like without one this week. Sit him.
Trending Searches for RB Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, which we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity on!
Should You Start Dameon Pierce or Rhamondre Stevenson?
A couple of weeks ago, I would’ve said, “Never Rhamondre Stevenson,” in response to a question like this. However, he’s now had two straight games of quality fantasy production, scoring 18.0 and 14.5 points.
Meanwhile, Pierce might have lost his job to Singletary. That’s the biggest issue, isn’t it? With the Texans having been on bye last week, we just don’t know.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
Singletary outsnapped and outplayed Pierce in Week 6. But that could just be a blip. Regardless, Stevenson has been good enough recently to get back in all of our good graces.
The Start/Sit Optimizer projects Stevenson for 1.2 points more than Pierce. For what it’s worth, I believe both will outscore their projections. But since Stevenson’s role is more secure, and he is actually used in the passing game, give me Stevenson over Pierce this week.
Should You Start Brian Robinson Jr or Darrell Henderson Jr?
In a fun little coincidence, Darrell Henderson scored as many points last week as Robinson has been averaging this season — 13.6.
These are two very similar players. Both find themselves as the lead back in a timeshare on a good, not great, offense, facing a very good defense. But the Eagles defense is just a little bit tougher, and Henderson has just a little bit more receiving upside.
I don’t love Henderson this week, but Robinson is my sit of the week. The Start/Sit Optimizer projects Henderson for 0.8 more points than Robinson. I agree with the optimizer; start Henderson.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!