Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs
1. Christian McCaffrey at Bengals (Mon.)
2. Tony Pollard at Cardinals
3. Bijan Robinson at Lions
4. Derrick Henry at Browns
5. Travis Etienne vs. Texans
6. Josh Jacobs vs. Steelers
7. Joe Mixon vs. Rams (Mon.)
8. Kenneth Walker vs. Panthers
9. Kyren Williams at Bengals (Mon.)
10. Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Falcons
Complete Week 3 running back rankings
Week 3 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Week 3 Start ‘Em: Running Backs
Start of the Week
Gary A. Vazquez/USA TODAY Sports
Kyren Williams at Bengals (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Williams has been on fire to start the season (and out of nowhere to boot), scoring four touchdowns in his first two games. The Rams appear to be over Cam Akers (again), so Williams is now seeing most of the snaps and touches out of the backfield. While the Bengals defense can be tough against the run, Williams is still a firm start ‘em.
Start ‘Em
Isiah Pacheco vs. Bears (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Pacheco’s numbers haven’t been great, as he’s failed to score double digits in each of his first two games of the new season. Still, he’s on the flex starter radar when the Chiefs host the Bears. Their defense has surrendered the fifth-most points to enemy runners this season, not to mention the second-most points to the position since the start of last year.
Najee Harris at Raiders (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Harris has had a bad start to the season, and it now looks like he’s in a committee with Jaylen Warren. The good news for both backs is an upcoming matchup against the Raiders, who have been awful against the run. In fact, only two teams have given up more fantasy points to the position since the start of last year. He’s a risk, but I’d start Harris.
Miles Sanders at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Far be it for me to give the inconsistent Sanders some fantasy love, but he does have a great matchup this week in Seattle. Their defense has given it up to running backs, allowing a total of 22 touchdowns and the fifth-most points to the position since last year. Also, the position has scored four touchdowns against them in two games in 2023.
Alexander Mattison vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Mattison has not lived up to expectations after two weeks, ranking 32nd in points among backs. The position is now very thin overall though, and a matchup against a Chargers defense that’s been bad against the run makes Mattison a flex. Los Angeles has allowed 21 total touchdowns and the sixth-most points to backs since the start of 2022.
Joshua Kelley at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Kelley was stuffed by a tough Titans defense last week, but I’d still flex him this week if the Chargers are without Austin Ekeler (ankle) once again. That’s based on a great matchup against the Vikings, who allowed 175 rushing yards, one touchdown and 27.1 fantasy points to D’Andre Swift last week. Again, be sure to monitor Ekeler’s status beforehand.
More Starts
Brian Robinson Jr. vs. Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Raheem Mostert vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Gus Edwards vs. Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Joshua Kelley at Vikings ($5,400)
Isiah Pacheco vs. Bears ($5,400)
Gus Edwards vs. Colts ($5,300)
Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Sit of the Week
Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
James Conner vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Conner is a tough player to sit, and I wouldn’t do it if I had no reliable alternatives. Just keep in mind that he’s got a tough task ahead against the Cowboys. No defense in the leagues has allowed fewer total touchdowns (6) or fewer fantasy points (17.1 PPG) to opposing running backs since the start of last season, so Conner could have a tough week.
Sit ‘Em
Dameon Pierce at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Pierce has been awful in the stat sheets, scoring a combined 12.2 points in his first two games. He’s averaged just 2.7 yards per rush, and he’s broken just two tackles in his 30 touches. Pierce is also being bitten by negative game scripts, which has been a real problem. The Jags have allowed the third-fewest points to backs so far this season, too.
Jerome Ford vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Ford is going to be in a ton of fantasy lineups, as he’s next in line for touches after the Browns lost Nick Chubb for the season. And while he will get the snaps and touches, keep in mind that the Titans defense is nasty good against the run. In fact, their defense has allowed just 3.3 yards per rush and the fourth-fewest points to runners since last season.
Dalvin Cook vs. Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Cook might not be washed, but he’s definitely in the laundry basket. He’s scored a combined 9.1 fantasy points in his first two games, during which time he’s averaged a meager 2.4 yards per rush. He should be on the bench against New England, whose defense has allowed seven touchdowns and the seventh-fewest points to backs since last season.
Zack Moss at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Moss was tremendous a week ago, as he scored a touchdown and 20.7 fantasy points in a win over the Texans. He also saw all the backfield snaps and touches, which is huge for his value. Still, I want to see him do that against another team (Houston is awful vs. backs). The Ravens will be a much tougher test, so I’d temper expectations for the veteran runner.
