Start 'Em, Sit 'Em running backs: Week 11 fantasy football

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em running backs: Week 11 fantasy football

Admin November 14, 2024

Week 10 saw many top-rated running backs perform well. Atlanta‘s Bijan Robinson led the way in all formats with 134 total yards and two touchdowns. Carolina‘s Chuba Hubbard and Arizona‘s James Conner rounded out the top three performers in standard and half-PPR formats.

This week, both Hubbard and Conner are off with a bye. As are other top running backs from Week 10, including Tampa Bay‘s Bucky Irving and the New York Giants‘ Tyrone Tracy Jr.

That means some tough decisions for fantasy football managers. Here are five running backs to start and five to sit for Week 11.

Fantasy football start ’em: Week 11 RBs

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (at Tennessee Titans)

Jones was carted off against Jacksonville last week but returned to the game and finished with 101 total yards on 19 touches. It’s been three weeks since he last scored a touchdown.

Enter the Titans defense. Tennessee has allowed eight total touchdowns to running backs in the last four weeks. They’ve kept most running games in check yardage-wise but have allowed plenty of trips to the end zone. Jones should have a solid game where the Vikings’ defense could shine and lean the game script to a more run-heavy approach.

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. New England Patriots)

Williams has gone scoreless in his last two games after scoring at least one touchdown per week through Week 8. He’s averaging 89 yards per game in that span, with a lost fumble in Week 10 against Miami. Luckily, he’s facing a Patriots defense this week that has allowed at least 120 total yards to opposing running backs in seven of their last eight games. Running backs have also scored nine touchdowns in that span.

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Montgomery had his second-lowest yardage total of the season (56) against the Texans in Week 10. Luckily, a rushing touchdown saved the day for fantasy football managers with Montgomery in their lineup. In Week 11, he’ll face a Jaguars defense that has been one of the more porous run defenses in recent weeks. Jacksonville’s allowed 173 total yards per game and four touchdowns to opposing running backs over the last three weeks. Even if Jahmyr Gibbs gets more touches than him this week, Montgomery has plenty of opportunities to put up fantasy points.

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at Buffalo Bills)

Hunt had a season-low 35 rushing yards in the win over Denver in Week 10. He had much better luck in the passing game, where he had seven catches for 65 yards, both season-highs. Those totals could flip this week against the Bills.

Buffalo has allowed 181 yards per game and three touchdowns to opposing running backs in the last two games. That yardage total comes at 5.6 yards per touch, so there’s consistently been opportunity on a snap-by-snap basis. The Chiefs could lean into the run game more against the Bills, and Hunt should reap the benefits.

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (at New Orleans Saints)

Cleveland returns from the bye against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. New Orleans hasn’t allowed huge yardage totals recently – 164.2 yards per game over their last five matchups – but has given up lots of touchdowns. Opposing running backs have scored 10 touchdowns in that span. Chubb has just one touchdown this season, which will likely change this week.

Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 11 RBs

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at Los Angeles Chargers)

Brown had a solid 104 yards from scrimmage with a touchdown last week, considering he was playing the Ravens’ top-ranked run defense. This week, he faces another tough unit. Los Angeles hasn’t allowed a running back to score since September. The Chargers have allowed top running backs to put up good yardage totals, including Alvin Kamara’s 112 in Week 8 and Conner’s 152 in Week 7, but they keep them out of the end zone. Brown may be in for a similar fate this week.

Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Houston Texans)

Dowdle faces another tough run defense this week against the Texans. Houston held Detroit to a season-low 105 rushing yards, and the Lions’ offense is in a much better place than Dallas’s unit. Dowdle had 54 of the Cowboys’ 146 total yards on offense against the Eagles last week, and things likely won’t get better this week.

Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders (at Philadelphia Eagles)

Ekeler took a lead role against the Steelers in Week 10 with Brian Robinson Jr. out and played well with 51 total yards and a season-high two touchdowns. Even if Robinson Jr. misses “Thursday Night Football” this week, Ekeler could struggle. Philadelphia hasn’t allowed 100 total yards to opposing running back groups since Week 6. They’ve allowed just one touchdown in that span as well. The Eagles’ defense has become one of the best units against the run and Ekeler is a risky start this week.

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

Harris is questionable with an ankle injury for the Steelers’ key Week 11 matchup against Baltimore. If he’s good to go, it could be a tough week. Jaylen Warren was better on a per-carry basis against Washington last week, with 16 total touches. The Ravens have the best run defense in the NFL and just gave up 421 passing yards to the Bengals last week. Pittsburgh is much better served attacking them in the air instead of the ground, which could tip more production in Warren’s favor.

Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at Detroit Lions)

Tank Bigsby left the game early against Minnesota last week, giving Etienne the opportunity to be the lead back against the Vikings. With that opportunity, Etienne Jr. managed just 44 yards on 11 carries. Even if Bigsby is out of the lineup this week, Etienne Jr. could struggle against the Lions. Detroit is sixth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game this season and could jump out to a big lead early, forcing Jacksonville to pass to keep up.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 11

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 11.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 11 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 11.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 11.

→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 11.