The Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills will be in action on Sunday in London. The matchup features two of the preseason AFC favorites and two teams that are at least in a share of a division lead.
Another thing these two teams have in common is a very talented running back. The Jaguars lean on Travis Etienne Jr., while the Bills have James Cook as their go-to back.
These two running backs are similar in how they play and their role in their respective offense. With that knowledge, one of these running backs should be in your lineup.
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Travis Etienne Jr. Fantasy Outlook This Week
There’s a lot to like if you are a fantasy manager with Etienne in your lineup. Through four games, he’s averaging 17.3 carries for 65 yards. The yards aren’t quite as high as you would like, but the Jaguars are showing they are going to continue to hand him the ball.
He also has 14 catches on the year, which ranks fourth on the Jaguars’ offense. With his pass-catching ability, Etienne is a three-down back who could see 25-30 touches. Teams have been able to run the ball on Buffalo, as the Bills currently rank 20th in rush defense (118.5 ypg).
Buffalo is clicking right now, so being able to run the ball and keep them off the field is something the Jaguars will want to do.
James Cook Fantasy Outlook This Week
Cook has taken over the No. 1 RB spot in Buffalo and has looked great doing it. He currently has 56 carries for 295 yards and two touchdowns. He’s been running the ball so well that the Bills haven’t had Josh Allen run like he normally does. Allen has only run the ball 16 times total this year.
Allen’s four carries a game would be by far a career low, as the Bills want their franchise quarterback to not get hit as often. Wanting to do that is one thing, but the way Cook is playing, the Bills can afford to not have Allen run as much.
He’s also a big-time threat in the passing game, as he is currently third on the team in receiving yards (115) and fourth in catches (11).
Which of the London Games’ Running Back Should You Start?
Both of these running backs are in the top 10 of PFN’s Fantasy Consensus Rankings this week. Etienne is fifth, and Cook is eighth.
There is no denying that both players figure to be a big part of each team’s offense on Sunday. However, one offense is clicking coming into the game, and it’s the Bills.
MORE: 2023 RB Fantasy Football Rankings
Buffalo is averaging 35.3 points through the first four games, compared to Jacksonville’s 20 points. It is way more likely that the Bills score several touchdowns, and that could mean a huge day for Cook.