RB Starts/Sits
Six backfield calls for Week 8: three backs to trust and three to bench.
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Now, on to the picks…
🔥 START: Bucky Irving (TB) vs. Falcons
Irving bounced back from a rough Week 6 with the best rushing game of his career.
Ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries (24 fantasy points) as Tampa Bay rolled up 258 rushing yards against Carolina
Both scores came near the goal line: from four yards and one yard out; last season he had zero carries inside the 5-yard line because Sean Tucker owned that job
Atlanta has allowed 14+ fantasy points to six different backs and ranks third-highest in EPA allowed to opposing backfields
If the goal-line work is shifting his way, his ceiling just went up. He’s a high-end RB2 this week.
🧊 SIT: Emanuel Wilson (SEA) vs. Bears
Wilson’s 100-yard Week 7 looks great in the box score, but his time as Seattle’s lead back is likely ending.
Zach Charbonnet was activated from PUP and practiced fully last week, and Jadarian Price has been designated to return from IR
The Chiefs game was only the second 100-yard rushing performance of his career, and he entered it averaging 3.4 yards per carry
Chicago has been one of the NFL’s toughest run defenses, allowing the sixth-fewest points to backs
Monitor Charbonnet’s status this week, because Wilson takes back the lead role if Charbonnet sits again. Even then, this matchup caps his upside.
🔥 START: Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) @ Dolphins
Stevenson has quietly become one of the steadiest producers in fantasy, and Week 8 gives him his best matchup yet.
Has scored 17+ fantasy points in three of his last four games, with 57 touches as New England’s clear lead back
Went for 93 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches in Week 7, after leading all backs in yards per catch (10.8) last season
Miami gives up the fourth-most points to running backs, has allowed 15+ to six different backs, and projects as one of the two weakest run defenses in the league over the next month
Even with the low carry counts, his receiving role keeps him safe, and this defense can’t stop backs. Start him with confidence.
🧊 SIT: J.K. Dobbins (DEN) vs. Chiefs
Dobbins saved Week 7 with a goal-line touchdown, but the bigger story is that he’s losing his grip on Denver’s backfield.
Played just 14 snaps in Week 7 (6 carries, 23 yards) while rookie Jonah Coleman logged 30 snaps and 9 carries for 54 yards
Held under 50 rushing yards in six of seven games, with RJ Harvey taking the pass routes and PPR-friendly targets
Kansas City allows the eighth-fewest fantasy points to backs and held him to 36 yards on 8 carries with zero targets in Week 1
He’s a touchdown-or-bust option in a three-man committee, against a defense that already shut him down once. Leave him on the bench.
🔥 START: Bhayshul Tuten (JAX) vs. Colts
Tuten comes out of the bye as Jacksonville’s lead back and with the best game of his career behind him.
Scored a career-best 24.7 PPR points in Week 6, turning only four targets into 48 yards and two touchdowns
Ranks fifth in avoided tackles per attempt and seventh in yards after contact per attempt
Indianapolis has given up 23+ fantasy points to three different backs this year
He’s already had three touchdowns erased by holding flags this season, so his numbers could be even better. Fresh legs and a soft matchup make him a confident RB2.
🧊 SIT: Quinshon Judkins (CLE) @ Steelers
Judkins is coming off a two-touchdown day, but this is the wrong week to chase it.
Pittsburgh allows the third-lowest rushing success rate in the NFL and has held Jonathan Taylor, Chase Brown and Bucky Irving under 12 fantasy points
In the first meeting in Week 4, he managed just 3.1 yards per carry and needed six catches to make his day worthwhile
That receiving lifeline is shrinking, since Dylan Sampson ran 19 routes to Judkins’ 13 in his season debut
His volume keeps a floor in place, but against one of the league’s stingiest run fronts he’s a FLEX at best. Look elsewhere if you can.
That’s the list. Set your lineups, and we’ll be back this weekend with the week’s news updates.
-Joe
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