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 9 start/sit plays for the RB position.
Which RBs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts (at CAR)
Somehow, Dameon Pierce managed to flop against the Panthers. That’s a talent issue — not a Panthers can suddenly stop the run issue.
Zack Moss is a better running back than Pierce, and the Colts have a far better offensive line. Even with Jonathan Taylor back to full strength, Moss is not going away. He played a season-low 39% of the snaps last week but still ripped off 66 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
Even after shutting down Pierce last week, Carolina still allows the second-most points per game to running backs. Taylor is going to eat this week, but there should be plenty of leftovers available for Moss as well.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. IND)
For the second start at the RB position, we stick with the same game. Chuba Hubbard is not going to blow anyone away with his talent, but the volume is now there.
MORE: Week 9 Start/Sit Options — QB | WR | TE
Hubbard seized full control of the Panthers’ backfield last week, playing 67% of the snaps even with Miles Sanders healthy. Hubbard out-carried Sanders 15-2 and ran 11 more routes than he did. While Hubbard only managed 7.4 fantasy points, the 17 opportunities are what we care about.
This week, Hubbard should fare much better against a Colts defense allowing the fourth-most PPG to running backs. Chase the volume in a great matchup.
Which RBs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals (at CLE)
Editor’s Note: Emari Demercado has been ruled out. The same analysis below will apply to Keaontay Ingram or Tony Jones Jr.
After randomly playing behind Keaontay Ingram in Week 6, Emari Demercado has now spent two weeks as the Cardinals’ lead back. We have every reason to believe he’s got at least one more in him until James Conner could potentially return.
Unfortunately, the situation couldn’t be worse.
The Browns allow the 10th-fewest PPG to running backs. Additionally, head coach Jonathan Gannon announced that Joshua Dobbs was benched. Any doubt surrounding that reality was put to rest when the Cardinals traded Dobbs to the Vikings ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s deadline.
While Dobbs is nothing special, he was competent enough to move the offense. Yet, it seems that with Kyler Murray still one week away, Arizona wants to give rookie Clayton Tune an audition.
I mean…sure? Why not? The season is over. But it’s not good for anyone on this offense.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Between the rookie QB and the challenging opponent, Demercado is set up to disappoint in Week 9. Fantasy managers may have no choice but to start him, but expectations need to be tempered.
I would also be remiss to not mention Demercado’s current injury, placing his status for Sunday in doubt. If Demercado can’t go, whoever the Cardinals end up starting at running back would not be a recommended start, either.
Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary, Houston Texans (vs. TB)
Editor’s Note: Dameon Pierce has been ruled out for Week 9 against the Buccaneers. That increases the value of Singletary somewhat.
Well, if you read the start portion of this, you already know where this is headed.
Dameon Pierce is averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and repeatedly gets stuffed at the goal line. He doesn’t catch any passes (just nine on the season and no targets in his last two games).
Pierce’s fantasy value stemmed from the volume, and Devin Singletary has eaten into his workload enough to completely sap any semblance of Pierce’s fantasy value but not enough to establish any of his own.
Based on that alone, both of these guys should be benched, regardless of the matchup. But the matchup is about as bad as it gets.
The Bucs allow just 17.1 PPG to running backs, seventh fewest in the league. And those points are being split between Pierce and Singletary.
Tampa Bay also struggles against the pass. Not only should that compel the Texans to throw more, but it could lead to an increase in snaps for Mike Boone, which would ensure Pierce and Singletary don’t produce.
Additionally, Pierce is currently dealing with an ankle injury. If he can’t go, that would undoubtedly raise Singletary’s prospects. However, the challenges with the matchup are not going to suddenly go away. Plus, I don’t think his volume increase would be as meaningful as one might think. Sure, he would see more carries, but I think Boone would handle the majority of receiving work, capping Singletary’s upside. This backfield is just a complete avoid for fantasy.
Editor’s note: Pierce is unlikely to suit up in Week 9 after missing every practice this week.
Analysis last updated at 12:44pm EST on Friday, November 3.
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, allowing 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, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity!
Should You Start Zack Moss or Brian Robinson Jr.?
One of these guys is a starting running back. The other is a backup. Yet, this is a legitimately difficult decision.
Brian Robinson’s matchup isn’t as difficult as it seems. The Patriots allow the 13th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. It’s just Robinson has lacked a ceiling all season. Outside of his 28.9-point effort in Week 2, Robinson has not had more than 13.6 fantasy points in a single game.
MORE: Fantasy Football Cut List Week 9
On the other hand, Zack Moss has had five games over Robinson’s average, including last week. While he’s certainly been worse since Jonathan Taylor returned, Moss has averaged 13.2 PPG over his past three.
With not much separating Moss and Robinson, it’s the soft matchup against the Panthers that tips the scales in favor of Moss.
The Start/Sit Optimizer has Moss projected for 11.2 fantasy points against 9.5 for Robinson. I also have Moss ranked higher in my Week 9 rankings. Go with Moss here.
Should You Start Chuba Hubbard or Alexander Mattison?
When the Panthers said Chuba Hubbard would be the lead back, I certainly didn’t think that would mean Miles Sanders doesn’t touch the ball. Sanders only had two carries last week. This is Hubbard’s backfield.
As for Alexander Mattison, his situation really couldn’t be worse. He’s been ceding more and more work to Cam Akers. And now, the Vikings lost Kirk Cousins for the season. While Josh Dobbs will be a capable fill-in this week, they are starting rookie Jaren Hall. Even if the Vikings lean on the run more, I can’t imagine they have much success offensively.
The Start/Sit Optimizer has Hubbard at 11.1 fantasy points and Mattison at 10.0. I have Hubbard well head of Mattison in my rankings as well. Start Hubbard.
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