You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Puka Nacua. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Some fantasy managers might be worried about Kamara, who is coming off two down performances and logged just four more carries (15) than Kendre Miller (11) in Week 4. But I'm not concerned -- not this week, at least. The Giants have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and the second-most rushing touchdowns to opposing RBs this season, coughing up 6.0 yards per carry and yielding explosive runs at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL. They also give up plenty of yardage through the air (235.5 passing yards allowed per game, eighth-most in the NFL). It is very likely we'll see Kamara's best fantasy game so far this year.
Two weeks ago, Montgomery (29.4 fantasy points) probably won a bunch of people their matchup. Last week (1.2 points), he probably did not. Montgomery is averaging 7.2 fewer touches per game than Jahmyr Gibbs this season, indicating that Montgomery is taking more of a backseat in this rushing attack. We've seen the ceiling and floor of Montgomery's new role in back-to-back weeks. This week, against a Bengals team that has struggled to defend the run, the game script should be on Montgomery's side. Plus, the veteran is always a threat to score a touchdown, given that he is tied for the fifth-most goal-line attempts among RBs.
Skattebo is already showing a safe floor and tantalizing ceiling. The rookie has scored at least 13 fantasy points in each of the last three games, hitting a high of 24 in Week 3. Since Week 2, Skattebo has tallied the third-most red-zone carries in the NFL among running backs, with only Josh Jacobs logging more goal-line attempts. We have seen that the Giants will feed him carries if they are leading and pepper him with targets if they are trailing. Start Skattebo against the Saints, who are in the top 12 in rush yards allowed to RBs.
If the Patriots cared about your fantasy teams, these would be the only two backs they feature this week. Of course, they do not, and so they've given Antonio Gibson work as they've seen fit. Still, Henderson did log more snaps, carries, routes run and targets than Gibson in Week 4. He was also used near the goal line and scored a touchdown. The arrow is certainly pointing up. Stevenson is top dog in this rushing attack, but his workload (10.5 touches per game) has made him a flex option. This week, though, both are in play, due to the matchup with a Buffalo squad that has allowed the eighth-most rushing yards to RBs and gives up explosive runs at a rate that is, by far, the highest in the NFL. The upside is high enough to take a shot on each.
Marks has been a stash for me -- and this week, after turning 21 touches into 119 scrimmage yards and two total TDs against the Titans, he can be elevated into starting lineups. The rookie should be less dependent on the game script than Nick Chubb, whon Marks seems to be overtaking in Houston's backfield, as Marks can be heavily utilized in the passing game. I would look to play him against a very beat-up Ravens defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards, second-most rushing touchdowns and fifth-most receiving yards to running backs.
Sit 'Em
Without Joe Burrow running the offense, the Bengals have show no consistent ability to move the ball, severely limiting the chance for their offensive players to score touchdowns -- and ruining fantasy teams everywhere. Brown has yet to rush for 50 yards. Targets have gone his way, but he has not been effective as a receiver. It's hard to blame someone who is averaging a league-low -0.7 yards before contact per carry, which means he is getting hit, on average, behind the line of scrimmage. And this is a very tough matchup, with the Lions allowing the eighth-fewest rushing yards to opposing backs. Anyone who starts Brown is likely hoping for catches in garbage time. That is a tough way to live in fantasy.
The Browns have held the following backs under 50 rushing yards so far this season: Chase Brown (43), Derrick Henry (23), Josh Jacobs (30) and David Montgomery (12). Sure, Jahmyr Gibbs got to Cleveland for 91, but Mason is much more like the first four backs I named than he is like Gibbs. On average, Cleveland defenders make first contact with opposing backs behind the line of scrimmage. The Browns have also allowed just two explosive runs all year, and both were to Gibbs. To make matters worse, it seems likely that Mason won't be given the passing-down duties that tend to go to Aaron Jones when Jones is healthy, with Zavier Scott ticketed for those (the former receiver turned running back is a sneaky add in deeper leagues). I would avoid Mason if possible.
Typically, a back rocking the kind of volume that Pollard has seen (18.5 touches per game) would be a must-start, but sadly, that is not the case here. Pollard has scored fewer than 11 fantasy points in three of his four games. In the other, he needed a touchdown to crack 13. The Cardinals have been tough on opposing running backs this season, allowing 3.8 yards per carry and stuffing backs at an above-average rate. I mostly want to avoid this Titans offense at all costs. If you have bye issues and need a safe 10 points, give Pollard a shot; otherwise, get away.
Pacheco had his best game of the season last week, in an extremely favorable matchup against Baltimore -- and topped out at 12.8 fantasy points, with that total being propped up by a touchdown. Now might be a sell-high window, given that Week 4 actually marked a step back for him, usage-wise: Pacheco played fewer snaps and had nearly half as many carries as Kareem Hunt. He was also second among Chiefs RBs in targets, behind Brashard Smith. Teams that split duties between three backs is the stuff of fantasy nightmares, especially when one takes into account the fact that Kansas City has been led in rushing yards by a non-RB in three of four games. Plus, the Jags have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards to RBs, and just two runs of 10-plus yards all year.
After missing Week 3 with a foot injury, Charbonnet returned to action last week to once again serve as a thorn in the side of Kenneth Walker III managers. Against the Cardinals, Walker was the lead option, but Charbonnet still played 45 percent of snaps, had 12 carries and saw the goal-line work. That's enough of a role for Charbonnet to hinder Walker in fantasy, but it might not be sufficiently significant to give Charbonnet standalone value -- especially not this week, against a Bucs team that has allowed the fewest rushing yards to running backs. Tampa has given up just 2.9 yards per carry and two rushing touchdowns all season to the position. Give Walker another shot, but get away from his backfield mate.
