RBs to start in Week 11
Panthers’ Mike Davis (vs. Lions): It has been reported that Christian McCaffrey is expected to miss his second consecutive games with a shoulder injury, which means Mike Davis is slated to start in his place. Besides his disappointing performance last week against a stout run defense in the Buccaneers, Davis has performed well in fantasy football this season.
In the eight games he’s played in relief of McCaffrey this season, Davis has averaged 15.9 fantasy points for the Carolina Panthers. Davis should have a better outing than he did last week in Week 11 when he takes on a Detroit Lions defense that has allowed 35.89 fantasy points per game and 13 rushing touchdowns to RBs this season (both are most in the NFL).
Patriots’ Damien Harris (vs. Texans): Since he was activated from injured reserve in Week 4, Damien Harris has shown that he’s the most explosive running back for the New England Patriots. The Alabama product has rushed for 100+ yards in three out of his six starts, which is as many 100+ yard games that Sony Michel has in his last 25 games.
Michel has a chance of being activated from injured reserve himself in Week 11 against the Houston Texans. Unless Michel somehow gets the start, Harris should still feast on a Texans defense that is dreadful against the run, conceding a league-worst 5.2 yards per attempt and 167.4 rushing yards per game this season.
Lions’ D’Andre Swift (vs. Panthers): Finally, the Lions have realized that D’Andre Swift is a way more explosive option than Adrian Peterson at running back. The rookie second-round pick made his first career start in Week 10, scoring 25.9 fantasy points versus a tough Washington Football Team defensive front.
Seeing that he performed remarkably last week, Swift should get his second start in a way more favorable matchup against the Panthers. Carolina’s defensive line is missing Kawann Short, allowing 4.8 yards per attempt (tied for fourth-most in the league) and 28.73 fantasy points per week to RBs, which is also the fourth-most in the league.
Other RBs to consider in Week 11: Washington’s Antonio Gibson & J.D. McKissic (vs. Bengals), Colts’ Nyheim Hines (vs. Packers), Chargers’ Kalen Ballage (vs. Jets), Vikings’ Alexander Mattison (vs. Cowboys)
RBs to sit in Week 11
Rams’ Darrell Henderson (vs. Buccaneers): While the Rams began with a running-back-by-committee approach, Darrell Henderson was seemingly emerging as the No. 1 option. However, during the bye week, it seems as if Sean McVay made a concerted effort to get Cam Akers and Malcolm Brown involved in the gameplan more.
Given that, Henderson’s ceiling is drastically lowered moving forward, barring an injury to one of the other backs. It also doesn’t help that he faces the No. 1 ranked run defense in the NFL in the Buccaneers, who are holding opposing RBs to only 3.3 yards per attempt and 76.6 rushing yards per game.
Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette (vs. Rams): On the other side of the game, it’s been nearly impossible to predict the Buccaneers’ backfield. One week, Ronald Jones will dominate touches, and others Leonard Fournette will handle the majority the workload.
In Tampa Bay’s blowout win over Carolina in Week 10, Jones was the running back to start in fantasy football, while Fournette had a quiet day. Similar to Henderson, with the unknown dynamic in the Buccaneers’ running back room, Fournette is worth benching this week. He also faces a Rams defense that is limiting RBs to 4.1 yards per attempt (tied for eighth-fewest in the NFL) and 20.71 fantasy points (fourth-fewest in the league).
