RBs to start in Week 8
Eagles’ Boston Scott (vs. Cowboys): Playing anyone who suits up against the Cowboys seems to be a superior method in fantasy football this season. Dallas has allowed 5.2 yards per attempt and 178.3 rushing yards per game (both are most in the NFL). If Miles Sanders is out for the second consecutive week, Boston Scott should be able to perform well on the ground and as a receiving threat versus a putrid Cowboys defense.
Rams’ Darrell Henderson (vs. Dolphins): The Los Angeles Rams have the seventh-ranked rushing offense in the NFL and a large part of that is due to the emergence of Darrell Henderson. When Henderson has seen 18+ touches, he’s managed to score at least 19 fantasy points in the two games he’s reached that mark. Expect Henderson to be used heavily against a Miami Dolphins defense that is giving up 5 yards per carry (third-most in the NFL) and 28.42 fantasy points per game (seventh-most in the NFL) to RBs.
Patriots’ Damien Harris (vs. Bills): Hear me out, I know the offense of the New England Patriots has looked awful in recent weeks. But maybe — just maybe — they could get back on track by pounding the ball. It helps they face a Buffalo Bills defense that is susceptible to the run, conceding 126.7 rushing yards per game (12th most in the NFL) and a team that just allowed a modest 13.5 fantasy points to rookie La’Mical Perine. Fire up Damien Harris of the Patriots this week, who’s averaged 5.8 yards per attempt in two of his first three games in 2020.
Other RBs to consider in Week 8: Chiefs’ Le’Veon Bell (vs. Jets), Buccaneers’ Ronald Jones/Leonard Fournette (vs. Giants), Bengals’ Giovani Bernard (if Joe Mixon is out vs. Titans), Packers’ Jamaal Williams (if Aaron Jones is out vs. Vikings)
RBs to sit in Week 8
Chargers’ Joshua Kelley (vs. Broncos): At times, Joshua Kelley has looked like a starting RB in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers. Other times, he’s looked like a rookie RB that is still getting acclimated to the speed of the NFL. Kelley is now splitting touches with Justin Jackson and his matchup with the Denver Broncos in Week 8 doesn’t do him any favors. It’s probably safe to bench Kelley against a defense that is holding opposing RBs to 471 rushing yards (seventh-fewest in the NFL) and 17.53 fantasy points per week (third-fewest in the NFL).
Giants’ Devonta Freeman or Wayne Gallman (vs. Buccaneers): Dating back to the beginning of the 2019 season, the best run defense in the entire NFL has remained the Buccaneers. After permitting a league-low 3.3 yards per carry last season, Tampa Bay is giving up only three yards per carry in 2020. Regardless of whether it is Devonta Freeman or Wayne Gallman starting at RB for the Giants this week, both of them should be warming your bench in Week 8.
