Fabs Top 10 Running Backs
1. Jonathan Taylor vs. Chiefs
2. Christian McCaffrey vs. Saints
3. Saquon Barkley vs. Cowboys (MNF)
4. Austin Ekeler at Jaguars
5. Derrick Henry vs. Raiders
6. D’Andre Swift at Vikings
7. Joe Mixon at Jets
8. Dalvin Cook vs. Lions
9. Leonard Fournette vs. Packers
10. Nick Chubb vs. Steelers (TNF)
Complete positional rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | FLEX | K | DST
Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Week 3 Start ‘Em: Running Backs
Start of the Week
David Montgomery vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Montgomery looked great last week in Green Bay, rushing for 122 yards while averaging over eight yards a rush. He also saw 50% of the backfield touches, so there was no committee with Khalil Herbert. Next on the schedule is a date with the Texans, who have allowed an average of more than 28 points per game to running backs since Week 13, 2021.
SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Montgomery over 67.5 rushing yards
Start ‘Em
Antonio Gibson vs. Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Gibson didn’t post a huge stat line last week, but he did score a touchdown and 12.1 fantasy points in a loss to the Lions. Next up is a date with the Eagles, who have allowed the sixth-most points to running backs since Week 13, 2021. During that time, which includes a total of seven games, their defense has allowed 16 or more points to a back five times.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): CEH has had a very nice start to the 2022 campaign, scoring a combined 38.2 points in his first two games. He’s in the RB2 or flex conversation this week, as he’ll face a Colts defense that’s been bad against the run without LB Shaquille Leonard. The talented linebacker is out of action once again, so Edwards-Helaire will be in a great position to find success.
James Robinson at Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): What Achilles surgery? Huh? Forget about it! Robinson has been a star in the first two weeks, scoring a combined 35.7 fantasy points while seeing 35.6% of the Jaguars backfield touches. While the Travis Etienne truthers won't like it, Robinson is still the best runner in this offense and should be considered a solid flex option against the Chargers.
Dameon Pierce at Bears (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pierce scored just 8.7 fantasy points last week, but he did see 43.2% of the backfield touches in a loss to the Broncos. That was up from the 23.5% share he had in the opener. The rookie also averaged a solid 4.6 yards per rush in the contest. He’ll be on the flex radar against the Bears, who were smoked for 193 rushing yards by Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.
SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Pierce over 58.5 rushing yards
More Starts
• Miles Sanders at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Cordarrelle Patterson at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Michael Carter vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains
• James Robinson at Chargers ($6,100)
• David Montgomery vs. Texans ($5,900)
• Michael Carter vs. Bengals ($5,200)
Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Sit of the Week
Ezekiel Elliott at Giants (Mon. 8:15 p.m., ESPN): As a Cowboys honk, I'm hoping that having Zeke as the Sit of the Week invokes some sort of reverse jinx. His level of production has been minimal in the first two games, and just 4% of his carries have come with eight-plus men in the box this season. He's also averaged just 13.9 points in four career road games versus the Giants, and those were in his .
Sit ‘Em
A.J. Dillon at Buccaneers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Dillon will be in a lot of fantasy lineups this weekend, so consider this more of a warning than a hard sit 'em. The Buccaneers' defense is tough on running backs, allowing an average of just 11.7 points in their first two games. Tampa Bay also has the seventh-fewest points to the position since Week 13, 2021, and Dillon is splitting work with Aaron Jones.
SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Dillon over 14.5 receiving yards
Cam Akers vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Anyone who tells you they know what to expect from the Rams backfield is lying. Akers started and saw more touches than Darrell Henderson last week, but he was second in snaps (35-27) in what is now a committee. Akers also averaged a meager 2.9 yards per rush compared to Henderson's 4.7. Starting either of these backs is a risk regardless of the matchup, so I wouldn't trust Akers as much more than a low-end flex starter.
Chase Edmonds vs. Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Edmonds burned a lot of fantasy fans last week, as he saw a mere 11.1% touch share in a win over the Ravens. That was down from the 34.8% share he had in Week 1, as the Dolphins went with Raheem Mostert as their lead back. This rotation is confusing, to be certain, and the Bills have one of the top defenses in the NFL. Edmonds is a risk-reward flex.
Jeff Wilson Jr. at Broncos (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Wilson did lead the 49ers backs in touch share (33.3%) in his first game without Elijah Mitchell, and he should see even more work with Tyrion Davis-Price out of action. I’d still be wary of him as more than a flex this week, as the Niners face a Broncos defense that’s allowed an average of 16.9 fantasy points per game to runners since Week 13 of last season.
SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Wilson Jr. under 55.5 rushing yards
More Sits
• Damien Harris vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Travis Etienne at Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Devin Singletary at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Fades
• A.J. Dillon at Buccaneers ($6,000)
• Damien Harris vs. Ravens ($5,600)
• Devin Singletary at Dolphins ($5,600)
More fantasy & NFL coverage:
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