Week 11 Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

It’s Week 11 and the fantasy playoffs are just weeks away. Teams need every point they can possibly get in their matchups. This week’s Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em will look at which players you should go with and which should warm the bench.

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RUNNING BACKS

START ‘EM

Mark Ingram vs. Cincinnati

Mark Ingram has been playing lights out since coming back from his injury. He has rushed for at least 100 yards in three consecutive games. He is facing a Bengals defense that is giving up 143 yards rushing per game. Ingram should get the ball about 20 times. Look for Ingram to continue his dominance this week!

Frank Gore @ New York Giants

Frank Gore rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers Week 10 win against the Saints. He now faces the Giants, who gave up 350 yards rushing to the Seahawks last week. The Giants have given up the most rushing yards this season to opponents. They have also given up 13 rushing TDs this season, which is tied for the most in football. Even more, Big Blue has given up the 2nd most fantasy points to running backs this season. If you have Gore on your roster, he is a must start this week.

Ryan Mathews vs. Oakland

Ryan Mathews is coming back this week after missing seven games due to injury. He comes back at a right time as he faces the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have given up the 3^rd most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Chargers are desperate to get their running attack back on track. Look for Mathews to have a productive afternoon.

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Arian Foster @ Cleveland

Arian Foster has a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns this week. Foster is having a great season so far. His numbers on the road are excellent. He has averaged 137 yards rushing in his four road games this season. He has also scored 5 of his 7 touchdowns on the road. The Browns have also given up 1,208 yards rushing this season, which is seventh most in the NFL.

Jeremy Hill @ New Orleans

Jeremy Hill will get the start against the Saints this week, as Giovani Bernard will miss his 3^rd consecutive game with a hip injury. Hill is coming off a bit of a disappointing performance against the Browns. Look for him to have a bounce back week against the Saints, who gave up 144 yards and 2 TDs to the 49ers. Hill will likely find the endzone as the Saints have surrendered 10 rushing TDs this season.

SIT ‘EM

Oct 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during pre game warm ups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Marshawn Lynch @ Kansas City

Call me crazy, but I think Beast Mode cools off this week against Kansas City. Lynch has not been good on the road this year. On the road, he is averaging 56 yards per contest with zero touchdowns. The Chiefs defense has been stellar against the run. They have given up the 4th fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. A couple of reasons being that the Chiefs have not allowed a 100-yard rusher at home and they are the only team in the NFL to not allow a rushing TD all season.

Lamar Miller vs. Buffalo

Lamar Miller had his worst game of the season in Week 10. He rushed 4 times for 10 yards. He has been limited in practice because of a lingering left shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 9. Miami is on a short week as they host Buffalo on Thursday Night Football. I don’t see Coach Philbin giving Miller more than a handful of carries. Miami faces a Bills defense that has given up the 3rd fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Let Miller sit this one out.

Tre Mason vs. Denver

Tre Mason will have a difficult matchup in Week 11 as he faces the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have given up only an average of 67 yards rushing per game and have allowed only 5 rushing TDs all season. Mason has found the endzone only once and has not rushed for more than 85 yards in any game. Fantasy managers should give Mason the day off and look elsewhere for RB help.

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (21) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Bush @ Arizona

Reggie Bush has not looked good all year. He has missed two games so far because of injury and has not been fantasy relevant since Week 3. He only has one rushing TD and has not rushed more than 12 times in any game. This week he faces the Arizona Cardinals, who have been solid against running backs. In fact, they have given up the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. With Bush still feeling the effects of his ankle injury, you’re going to want to let him sit this one out. Theo Riddick might be a more suitable option to play.

Jerick McKinnon @ Chicago

Matt Asiata has to ruin everything for McKinnon owners. Asiata scored three rushing TDs in Week 9, which gives him six on the year. Meanwhile, McKinnon is still searching for his first career touchdown. It is unlikely for McKinnon to jump ahead of Asiata for the goal line carries. I see McKinnon splitting snaps this week in their matchup against a desperate Bears team. It wouldn’t be crazy for a McKinnon owner to jump ship and pick up and play Matt Asiata this week.

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