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Below you will find our Week 9 running back rankings, to help determine your RB starts/sits for this week, brought to you by Bill Dubiel (@Roto_Dubs), Nick Mariano (@NMariano53) and Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).
Featured writer Ben Ruppert also highlights some RB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 9, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 9. You can also check out RotoBaller's overall player rankings here.
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Week 9 Running Backs - Rankings & Matchups Analysis
LeSean McCoy is looking like he is going to play on Monday night for the Bills, which gives him an immediate boost in our rankings. Not too much higher up given Seattle’s defense is excellent against the run, however. Over the past five weeks there has been no tougher run defense to face. Shady is an exceptional talent, but Seattle has already had to stop Devonta Freeman, David Johnson, and Matt Forte over the past few weeks. Last time Shady came in to play after saying he was OK, he barely made it through a half. I would cautiously sit McCoy through his bye week, and hope he is heathy for the stretch run of your playoffs. This defense on the road in prime time will be too much to handle for Shady and the Bills run game.
It will be interesting to see how things shake out in the Saints backfield, as they enter a juicy matchup with the 49ers this Sunday. After Mark Ingram was benched last week due to fumbling the football, Tim Hightower came in and rushed 26 times 102 yards against the tough Seahawks defense. Since 2011, Ingram has received 25 carries only twice, and has no games this season with over 20 rushing attempts. Heading into this week, word on the street is the two will (brace yourselves) be in a committee moving forward. Ingram went from a solo backfield to the back-end a two-man committee in no time, leaving fantasy owners in the dust. Even in this primes matchup, I would sit both options until we see how this plays out.
The only things the Panthers defense has been good at stopping this season is the running game; they have given up the eighth fewest fantasy points to the RB position this season. Todd Gurley certainly sees enough volume to still have a productive day, but this is the team that just held David Johnson to only 24 rushing yards on 10 carries. His 3.0 YPC leaves much to be desired, but over the past few weeks the Rams have gotten him more involved in the passing game, averaging 4.5 receptions for 40 yards per game. Over the past two weeks we’ve seen the highs and lows of QB Case Keenum, leaving the defense free to stack the box and take out the Rams most threating offensive player. You’re likely starting Gurley if you own him, but this matchup will be far from an easy one for Gurley.
Those of you lucky enough to grab Charcandrick West will have yourselves a very nice week or two of production. It’s tough to predict exactly how much or how long a concussion affects someone, but here’s to hoping for a speedy return for RB Spencer Ware. In the meantime, West will carry the rock much like he did for the stretch of games he played last season when Jamaal Charles went down with n injury. Last season from Weeks 7-to-10 (before West hurt his hamstring and Ware earned playing time), West averaged 22 carries for 92 yards and a TD per game. West makes for a solid option this week against a Jaguars defense that was just torn apart by DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry last week. He is a strong play until Ware makes his return from injury.
Can Jay Ajayi keep his 200-yard game streak going? He is among 4 players in league history to hit that mark for two straight games, but no one has ever done it in three straight. He will have an uphill battle this week with the Jets coming to town. The Jets have given up the 17th most fantasy points to opposing RBs this season, but have only allowed opposing RBs to rush for 68.5 yards per game on average. Miami’s healthy offensive line has made all the difference for Ajayi, when at the beginning of the year no RB on the roster (including Arian Foster) could find room to run. This will be a great game to watch as Ajayi chases history. Regardless of the matchup, you must start him if you own him.
My favorite matchup for RBs this week comes in the Titans vs. Chargers matchup in San Diego. DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry formed a lethal 1-2 punch last week, as the pair bowled over the Jaguars last week in prime time. Both RBs played and looked dominant, and should play similar roles this week with Henry earning some more touches, per HC Mike Mularkey. Murray is still the lead back, but Henry also looked amazing last week. San Diego has been bad against opposing RBs all season long, and has seen their pass defense improve with the arrival of QB disrupter Joey Bosa. Meaning, that well see a heavy dose of these backs on Sunday. On the other side we have Melvin Gordon, who has been a TD machine all season long. Tennessee has limited RBs to only 69 yards rushing per game, but also 41 yards receiving this season. Gordon excels in both aspects of the game, so with no competition for touches he gets the buffet all to himself. Expect a ton of rushing attempts on both sides of the ball.
Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
