The Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens have been two of the most potent offenses in the league this year. The Dolphins lead the league with 33.9 points per game, while the Ravens rank seventh with 25.3.
A large reason why these two offenses have been so explosive is because they can both run the ball very well. Miami unsurprisingly ranks first in that category as well, posting 151.8 yards per contest, while Baltimore is fewer than 10 points behind.
However, both of their starting running backs are battling injuries, so should fantasy football managers go with Raheem Mostert or Gus Edwards?
Raheem Mostert Fantasy Outlook This Week
The good news for Mostert is that he practiced Thursday after missing Wednesday because of an ankle injury. He’s coming off a game against the New England Patriots, where he had 13 carries for 46 yards and one touchdown. Mostert is usually involved in the passing game, but he didn’t have a catch last week.
He’s currently sixth in rushing yards (520) and is leading the league with 10 rushing touchdowns. One thing to keep an eye on is he has feasted on the worst teams the Dolphins have played. In two games this year against the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles, he has 16 carries for 54 yards and zero touchdowns. He also has only four catches for 42 yards in those games.
Up next is another great team, as Miami will be taking on the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany on Sunday. The Chiefs just lost to the Denver Broncos and should be fired up to get back on the field. Kansas City is currently 19th against the run (111.6 yards per game), but part of that is because the defense has been so good against the pass (176.1 yards per game).
Editor’s note: Mostert practiced in a limited fashion on Friday and does not carry an injury designation going into Week 9.
Analysis last updated at 12:30pm EST on Friday, November 3.
Gus Edwards Fantasy Outlook This Week
Edwards is coming off his best game of the year. He had 19 carries, 80 yards, and a career-high three touchdowns in the win against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s a threat at the goal line, with two one-yard scores.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
Edwards is a physical RB who fits well with Lamar Jackson. However, he’s not a threat in the passing game. Edwards has only six catches on the year, though he did have two for 14 yards against Arizona. When the Ravens are looking to throw the ball, they’re more likely to have complementary running back Justice Hill in the game.
This week, Baltimore will be hosting the Seattle Seahawks in a matchup between two division leaders. Seattle has been very good against the run, allowing only 96.9 yards per game (eighth in the NFL). The defensive line should be even better, too, after acquiring Leonard Williams at the trade deadline.
Which of the 2 Running Backs Should You Start?
Pro Football Network’s Start/Sit Optimizer says that Mostert is the player to start. His projected 13.3 points include 62 rushing yards, three receptions and 19 yards. That doesn’t seem like a huge stat line, but it outperforms the consensus projection for Edwards’ 10.9 points.
For this one, we’re going against the optimizer. The Seahawks struggle to limit opposing quarterbacks, as they currently allow the 22nd-most passing yards per game (234.3). This could be another game where Edwards reaps the benefits of nice drives from Jackson, ultimately finding himself in the end zone.
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