We are back for another running back start and sit article! Let’s recap Week 6 before diving into this Week’s article. It’s always fun to recap when you have a good week, but fantasy football is like a box of chocolates there is always one with cashews…and like who wants that? My cashews chocolate pick from last week was James Cook. Cook face-planted vs. the Giants who looked reborn on defense. The rest of the starts (Kyren Williams/Isiah Pacheco) and sits (Joe Mixon, Josh Jacobs, and Cardinals RBs) were delicious chocolates filled with caramel. If you don’t like caramel, then leave a comment on your favorite Russell Stover random chocolate is below.
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 7. 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: Javonte Williams
- Opponent: Green Bay Packers
- Matchup Rank: 6th
Javonte Williams reminds me of Forrest Gump. Like Forrest, Javonte was going through some leg issues early on, which led to us wanting to throw rocks at him in the fantasy community. However, Week 7 could be that moment like when Jenny yells, “Run, Forrest run” and Forrest broke his leg braces and became a shrimp boat captain. Wait, I think I skipped a few parts. Whatever, this week should be Javonte’s moment to break free, which is why he’s a start vs. a Packers DST that allows the 6th most rushing yards per game. I guess we are saying, “Run, Javonte run” into our fantasy lineups.
- Player: Brian Robinson
- Opponent: New York Giants
- Matchup Rank: 8th
I think a lot of people forget that Brian Robinson got shot in the leg heading into the 2022 season. This led to a lot of hesitation in drafting him after he was mostly inefficient last year. In 2023, unlike Bubba (yes, another Forrest Gump reference, and if you didn’t see the movie, I am sorry, but it’s great, so go watch it. FYI, Bubba was Forrest’s friend who got shot and killed), Robinson has fulfilled his dream of becoming a shrimp boat captain, I mean a viable fantasy starter for my fantasy teams. Maybe I am confusing my dreams with his dreams. Anyway, start Robinson vs. the Giants since we haven’t learned our lesson from James Cook last week.
- Player: Alexander Mattison
- Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
- Matchup Rank: 9th
Kevin O’Connell reminds me a lot of Jenny…from Forrest Gump. Yes, another one, just let me do this! Forrest Gump (now played by Alexander Mattison) was overlooked by Jenny (played by Kevin O’Connell). Like Jenny, O’Connell went out searching for someone to love (this scenario is Cam Akers) instead, Kevin always finds his way back to Mattison. Last week Mattison out-touched Akers 22-2. The 49ers defense is solid, but just allowed a combined 131 rushing yards to the Browns. Mattison isn’t a must-start, but with his volume, he is a solid RB2 with all the byes in Week 7.
Top Running Back Sits
- Player: Josh Jacobs
- Opponent: Chicago Bears
- Matchup Rank: 23rd
I don’t mean to pick on Josh Jacobs, but my god, am I the bully from Forrest Gump, and Jacobs is Gump in this scenario? No, I mean well here. The Bears’ run defense has been solid over the past few weeks, holding notable running backs Brian Robinson (6-10) and Alexander Mattison (18-44) rushing lines. Jacobs, meanwhile, hasn’t gotten it going this season, averaging an insanely low 2.9 yards per carry. Due to the volume, Jacobs will always be a top-24 running back, but if you need upside this week, I would look elsewhere.
- Player: Zack Moss
- Opponent: Cleveland Browns
- Matchup Rank: 26th
Can I do it? Can I have a Forrest Gump reference for every section? Yes, yes, I can! Zack Moss is like Bubba, who has become a beloved friend and a familiar starter in our fantasy lineups. Moss currently sits as the RB4 in PPR PPG. However, like Bubba, his time has come. Moss is slowly seeing less work, but as we hold Moss in our arms on the battlefield of Week 7, let’s not waste Moss’ contribution to our fantasy teams! Let’s go out there and start a shrimping boat company. I mean, win our fantasy leagues. Oh, and as a reminder, once you win, make sure you invest in some type of fruit company.
Honorable mention Sit: Arizona Cardinals RBs vs. the Seahawks
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
