We are back for another running back starts and sits article! Week 5 was well….fun?! Last week, four out of the five calls were solid if you want to give me a pass on James Conner since he went down because we can’t have nice things. If you are reading this, you did give me a pass, and that’s why we are friends. The lone miss was Zack Moss who rode my bench whispering “I’ll show you” dropping 30 points vs. the Titans. Fantasy Football rarely makes sense, but we love it, right?
As you know by now, in this analysis, we have reviewed the adjusted line yards of the offensive line and defensive line to identify the top matchups for Week 6. 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 as a whole, 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: Kyren Williams
- Opponent: Arizona Cardinals
- Matchup Rank: 1st
After the trade of Cam Akers, Kyren Williams has been thrust into an undisputed every down back role. This has led to three monster games for Williams so far in 2023. Even with this elite usage, Williams has been under 10 PPR points in two of his last three games. This week Williams gets a big opportunity vs. a Cardinals DST that has allowed the 4th most fantasy points to running backs. This includes allowing at least 13.4 PPR points to every RB1 this season.
- Player: Isiah Pacheco
- Opponent: Denver Broncos
- Matchup Rank: 5th
After a slow start to the season, Isiah Pacheco has found the end zone in three straight games. This week he gets a prime matchup vs. a Broncos DST that has been getting lit up on the ground. This includes allowing a league-high 938 rushing yards and five running backs to score over 20 PPR points in a game so far in 2023. If you need more of a reason to start Pacheco, he had 12 PPR points in both games vs. the Broncos last season.
- Player: James Cook
- Opponent: New York Giants
- Matchup Rank: 13th
After back-to-back strong performances in Week 2 and 3 on the ground, James Cook has cooled off a bit as of late. Cook has failed to rush for over 30 yards in each of the last two games, which has led to two very underwhelming performances. This week, Cook has a chance to bounce back vs. a Giants DST that is having trouble finding its footing. This season the Giants run D has allowed the 3rd most rushing yards and the most rushing touchdowns.
Top Running Back Sits
- Player: Joe Mixon
- Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
- Matchup Rank: 32nd
The Bengals offense finally got right vs. the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, scoring 34 points. Mixon ended up seeing 29 touches in that game, turning them into 13.4 PPR points. It could have been a much bigger day for Mixon, but he failed to convert four carries inside the five for touchdowns. This week Mixon slips to the RB3/flex range as he has a tough matchup vs. a stout Seattle Seahawks run D. Seattle this season has allowed the lowest yards per carry. Mixon could find the end zone, so he’s not a full fade, but avoid him in DFS in Week 6.
- Player: Josh Jacobs
- Opponent: New England Patriots
- Matchup Rank: 27th
Josh Jacobs and the Raiders’ run offense hasn’t been able to rekindle the magic of 2022. Jacobs has been fine for fantasy as he currently sits as the RB14 through Week 5, but his 235 rushing yards puts him outside the top 20 for running backs. This week the Raiders will take on the New England Patriots. This is a big moment for Head Coach Josh McDaniels as he takes on his former team. The issue is Bill Belichick has had the upper hand on most of his disciples in the past. This, coupled with the fact the Patriots have only allowed the 6th lowest yards per carry on the year, makes Jacobs a flex play only in Week 6.
Honorable mention Sit: Arizona Cardinals RBs vs. the Rams
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
