Fansided

FanDuel NFL 2018: Week 9 lineup

By Joe D'Aloisio

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Running backs

  • Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers – $7,900
  • Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns – $6,600

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are decent against the run, but not talented enough to contain McCaffrey. Similar to Cam Newton, McCaffrey’s versatility makes him very valuable. Last week against the Ravens, McCaffrey rushed for 45 yards and one score. He also caught four passes for 11 yards and one score.

Through seven games, McCaffrey has 92 rushed for 423 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one score. He has also caught 44 receptions for 300 yards and two scores. The second-year back leads the Panthers in receptions and is fourth in the NFL in receptions among running backs. The only three backs who have more are Saquon Barkley (58), Alvin Kamara (47) and James White (45).

McCaffrey has scored 10+ fantasy points in every single game this season. His 19.6 total last week was the third most this season.

Last week was the first time the Buccaneers allowed a running back to eclipse the 100+ yard mark. However, opposing backs are averaging nearly five yards per cary in consecutive weeks. The position group is scoring 25.1 fantasy points per game, tied for ninth in the league.

It’s hard to believe that someone from the Cleveland Browns makes the Week 9 lineup after the week they just had. Cleveland fired head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley. But, that shouldn’t discourage you from adding Chubb to your lineup.

The rookie running back is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and his role in Cleveland’s offense continues to steadily increase. With the departure of Carlos Hyde, Chubb is much more involved in the offense. In back-to-back games, he has had 18 carries. Prior to that, the most he had in a single game was three.

In those last two games, he has carried the ball 36 times for 145 yards and one score.

This week, the Browns take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who have a prolific offense but a weak defense. The Chiefs have allowed running backs to eclipse the 100 yard total in five of their eight games. In four of those games, backs have totaled at least 141 yards.

Last week, the Chiefs allowed a season-high 178 yards on the ground. Their run defense has allowed 882 yards on the ground, seventh most in the NFL. On average, backs are scoring 29.4 fantasy points per game against the Chiefs. The only team that has allowed more on average is the Atlanta Falcons.

Expect Chubb to get a ton of touches and have plenty of opportunities to be the workhorse of this post-Haley offense.