Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs Carolina Panthers
Tyrone Tracy draws the golden matchup this week against the Panthers, who are allowing the most rush yards and rush touchdowns per game this season, the 8th-highest yards per carry, and the most fantasy points per game this season. Tracy has locked down the lead role in this backfield over Devin Singletary, and if there’s any team in the NFL the Giants have a shot at playing in a positive game script against, it’s Carolina. They’re 5.5-point favorites in Munich Sunday morning, which could lend itself to some late-game emphasis on the ground game. He’s a fringe RB1.
Aaron Jones vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has been getting slow-roasted by just about everyone they’ve faced this year on the ground, allowing the 2nd-most receptions and 3rd-most receiving yards per game to running backs so far this season. Aaron Jones’ role has been that of a high-end RB1 over the past few weeks, but the production hasn’t caught up to that elite utilization. The chickens should come home to roost this week against a Jags defense allowing the 3rd-most fantasy points per game to running backs this year.
D’Andre Swift vs New England Patriots
Swift’s generational run continues with another favorable matchup against the Patriots. New England is allowing the 2nd-most rush yards, 4th-most rush touchdowns, and 7th-most yards per carry to running backs this season, on top of the sixth-most fantasy points per game. Swift has had at least 18 opportunities in five straight games, so the good times should keep rolling here. He’s a low-RB1 for me this week.
Christian McCaffrey vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McCaffrey is walking back into a fantastic matchup against the Buccaneers, who are allowing the 6th-highest yards per carry, 2nd-most receptions and 2nd-most receiving yards to running backs this season. There’s a chance that they take it relatively easy this week on McCaffrey when it comes to giving him a full workload, but CMC can be trusted regardless in this matchup if he’s active – even if he hangs around at 65-70% snap share.
Chuba Hubbard vs New York Giants
The latest running back to get paid was one who absolutely deserved it, especially considering the high level of play he’s maintained on a terrible Panthers offense. The Giants have been middle of the pack when it comes to fantasy points allowed to running backs this year, but they’re giving up the league’s second-highest yards per carry (5.13) and rushing yards per game (112.3) to running backs this season. Jonathon Brooks is back, but he shouldn’t bite too far into Hubbard’s workload with the Panthers likely to leave the bubble wrap on for at least a week or two yet with the former 2nd-round pick.
Tony Pollard vs Los Angeles Chargers
The matchup for Pollard is one of the worst in the league, with the Chargers allowing the 2nd-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs on top of the fewest rush touchdowns per game, as well. Fortunately for Pollard, he has one of the best roles in the NFL among running backs – he’s earned 20 or more touches in every game but one this season. The upside isn’t astronomical for Pollard given the matchup and the low quality of Tennessee’s offense, but he’s come through in tough matchups before and can do it again this week as an RB2.
Javonte Williams vs Kansas City Chiefs
Javonte’s role isn’t as bad as it was to begin the season, but it’s come down over the past few weeks since he put himself back on the fantasy radar with his two-TD performance in Week 7. His snap share dropped to 54% last week –down from 68% just three weeks ago. His opponent this week, the Chiefs, also happen to be the worst matchup on paper for RBs, allowing the fewest rush yards, yards per carry, and fantasy points per game to running backs. Let him ride the bench this week.