FanDuel NFL 2017: Week 9 lineup

Running Backs: Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints-$7,900, Christian McCaffrey-$6,100

Over his last three games, coinciding with Adrian Peterson’s departure, Ingram has 65 carries for 294 yards and four touchdowns along with 15 receptions on 16 targets. He did fumble twice last week, but Ingram does not appear to be too deep in Sean Payton’s doghouse. So he’s in good position to keep things rolling against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.

The Buccaneers have allowed five rushing touchdowns to running backs over their last three games, and over the first two of those contests they allowed 4.9 yards per carry to the position. In the last of two games against Tampa Bay last year, Ingram had 18 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

Ingram was benched for fumbles in Week 8 of 2016. How did he follow that up? With 171 total yards (158 rushing) and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in Week 9 last year. That’s an aggressive expectation this time around, but I still like Ingram to answer the bell this week.

McCaffrey has not gotten anything going on the ground so far this season. But he has been heavily involved in the passing game, with at least seven targets in six of eight games and 30 targets over the last three contests. And that was with wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin around, and he has been traded to the Bills.

The Atlanta Falcons have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season (ESPN PPR scoring), and they’re in the bottom-10 of the league in receptions, receiving yards and targets allowed to the position. If the Panthers are going to spread things out and look to showcase speed and athleticism going forward, McCaffrey has an opportunity ahead of him starting this week.