Fansided

FanDuel NFL 2018: Week 11 lineup

By Joe D'Aloisio

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Running Backs: Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers- $8,700 & Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys- $8,400

This week a big money is being spent at the running back position. Gordon and Elliot are both priced in the top-5. Let’s begin with the third most expensive back, Gordon. He currently has 672 yards, tied with Adrian Peterson for fifth most in the league. His seven touchdowns on the ground is tied fourth in the NFL with Kareem Hunt.

Gordon has totaled over 100 all-purpose yards in three consecutive games, he has also crossed the goal line in all three of those contest. During that stretch, he is averaging 25.7 fantasy points per game.

Last week his versatility flashed and helped him earn 25 fantasy points against the Oakland Raiders. He rushed for 98 yards and also caught five passes for 72 yards and one touchdown.

This week Gordon faces the Denver Broncos, who have allowed running backs to rush for 1,061 yards, eighth most in the NFL. Denver hasn’t allowed a running back to rush for 100 yards since allowing 232 yards on the ground to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6. But, this unit is still vulnerable.

Backs are still averaging nearly 23 fantasy points per game against the Broncos. In five career games against Denver, Gordon has rushed for 352 yards. He also snagged 11 passes for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Don’t let Gordon’s history against the team scare you. Be confident in Gordon and in the fact that he has had at least 100 yards or a touchdown in every single game this season.

Meanwhile, Elliot is coming off a huge game against the Eagles. He carried the ball 19 times for 151 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry, which is tied for a season high. He also caught six passes for 36 yards and one score. This was his first multi-touchdown game of the season. His 33.7 fantasy points were fourth amongst backs in Week 10.

Elliot has never played against the Falcons, but is poised for a big game. Atlanta is coming off a game in which they allowed rookie Nick Chubb rush for 176 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown. He also caught three passes for 33 yards and one touchdown.

Atlanta has surrendered the most yards on the ground against running backs, but they have allowed them to do the most in both the run and pass game. Running backs have rushed for eight touchdown passes and have caught five, tied for second most in the league. They have scored a total of 283.8 fantasy points, second most in the league.

On average, they have surrendered 31.5 fantasy points per game to backs. They are one of two teams in the league to allow over 30 fantasy points per game against the position group. Elliot’s performance will determine if the Cowboys win or lose against the Falcons.