Another week another running back start and sit article! As you know by now, in this analysis, we have reviewed the adjusted line yards of the offensive and defensive lines to identify the top matchups for Week 11. Below you will see the matchup rank for each player. The matchup rank represents the rank of the defense based on our adjusted line yards metric.
To see the full analysis and where each offense, defense, and matchup ranks, go check out our new adjusted line yards metric here on Razzball.com.
If you want to see the original data, you can find it on FTN!
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Top Running Back Starts
- Player: Tony Pollard
- Opponent: Carolina Panthers
- Matchup Rank: 3rd
Tony Pollard is starting to feel like a bad ex-girlfriend who I just can’t quit. Quietly, Pollard could be the biggest fantasy bust this season currently sitting as the RB20 in PPR. So what gives Bob? Why are you calling him a start? Well, friend, great question, and here is why. The only person not invited to the party last week was Pollard who was pulled late in that game for Rico Dowdle as the Cowboys crushed the Giants 49-17. Call it a hunch, but I expect Pollard to find the end zone this week vs. a Panthers team that has given up the 2nd most points to running backs this season.
- Player: Devin Singletary
- Opponent: Arizona Cardinals
- Matchup Rank: 2nd
I personally didn’t have Devin Singletary going for 30-150-1 on my bingo card, did you? Seriously, before last week, Singletary had a total of 208 rushing yards ON THE YEAR!!! What a crazy performance for Singletary who had over 50 yards just once prior to that game. It’s hard to imagine that the Texans will go back to Pierce after such a big performance. This is why Singletary should be a viable RB2 this week as the Texans take on the Cardinals. Arizona has allowed 100 rushing yards or a TD in five straight games to a running back.
- Player: Ty Chandler
- Opponent: Denver Broncos
- Matchup Rank: 4th
Ty Chandler isn’t a special talent, but one thing he does have is elite speed. According to player profiler, Chandler had a 98th percentile 40-yard dash and 92nd percentile speed score. This speed could come in handy this week as he is expected to start vs. the Broncos. Denver has struggled vs. speedy backs including allowing 31-305 to the Dolphins, 22-177 to Breece Hall, and 12-109 to James Cook. If you were lucky enough to snag him off waivers, Chandler should be a solid top-24 option in Week 11.
Top Running Back Sits
- Player: Najee Harris
- Opponent: Cleveland Browns
- Matchup Rank: 32nd
Fool me once shame on Najee Harris, fool me twice shame on me. Since I have suffered enough shame for the 2023 season, I am due for a good call. That’s why I am going back to the well and calling Najee Harris a sit again in Week 11. The Packers’ run defense has improved, but they still allow the 8th most rushing yards this season. Meanwhile, the Browns allow the 8th fewest. This along with the fact that Jaylen Warren was named a “starter” last week means Harris could be heading into the 1B role. This makes him a risky play in tougher matchups.
- Player: Saquon Barkley
- Opponent: Washington Commanders
- Matchup Rank: 20th
The Giants season is toast and with Daniel Jones on IR, there aren’t a lot of incentives for the Giants to win games. If this wasn’t clear before it’s clear now after their 49-17 debacle vs. the Cowboys last week. In that game, Saquon Barkley looked great rushing for 66 yards on 13 carries. That being said, what reason does the Giants have to give Barkley monster workloads? If they reduce his touches to 15-20 range I don’t see him being a viable option in tougher matchups. That’s why he’s a fade for me this week vs. a solid Commanders’ run D.
Honorable mention Start: Jerome Ford vs. the Steelers
Week 10 Recap
Start Bijan Robinson vs. the Cardinals – Arthur Smith signed the fantasy football peace treaty and we can finally have synergy across the fantasy landscape aka Bijan got 22 carries and finished as an RB1.
Start Aaron Jones vs. the Steelers –Aaron Jones turned 17 touches into 54 scoreless yards and finished as the RB32. This was a miss!
Start James Conner vs. the Falcons – James Conner had 16 carries in his first game back turning it into 73 yards. That was the 15th most rushing yards on the week, but he didn’t score and had zero catches. Another miss!
Sit Gus Edwards vs. the Browns – Gus Edwards did his best to prove me wrong by scoring a TD but still finished as the RB31.
Sit Najee Harris vs. the Packers – Najee Harris has his best game in Week 10. It seems like these guys save their best for when I call them out. Took the L here even though he’s seeding more work to Jaylen Warren!
Sit Kareem Hunt vs. the Ravens – Similar to Gus Edwards, Karren Hunt tried to prove me wrong by finding the end zone, but even with that score, he was the RB33.
Score – 3 out of 6
If you have lineup questions or want more information on starts and sits, don’t forget to join us LIVE every Sunday for our Sunday Live Start and Sit Show on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube Channel!
For more from Bobby and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @bobbylamarco.
Sources: Razzball.com, PFF.com, FantasyPros, FFToday, Pro Football Reference and Football Outsiders
