Senior fantasy analyst
Start ‘Em & Sit’ Emis the ultimate weekly look at NFL matchups and how they’ll affect yourfantasy footballteam.Fantasysuperstars such asPatrick MahomesandChristian McCaffreywill not be featured in this column. All player matchups are based on a PPR scoring system. For your final starting lineup decisions, checkmy weekly fantasy football lineup rankings.
Byes:Buffalo Bills, (Chicago Bears) ,Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders
Start ‘Em
Start of the Week – Derrick Henry vs. Denver Broncos
Henry hasn’t put up monster numbers in recent weeks, but he has scored at least one touchdown in all but one of his first five games. He should produce this week, though, as theTitanswill go up against aBroncosdefense that’s given up the seventh-most rushing yards and an average of over 28 fantasy points a game to running backs.
Kerryon Johnson vs. Green Bay Packers
Johnson has become a workhorse for theLions, playing on 72 percent of the snaps while averaging 24 .5 touches in two games before the bye. He’s a must start against thePackers, who have surrendered 5.3 yards per rush, seven total touchdowns and an average of nearly 32 fantasy points per game to opposing backs.
Austin Ekeler vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ekeler didn’t see much work as a runner last week, but he did see (targets) (catches). So even withMelvin Gordonback in the mix, Ekeler proved that he still has a big role in the (Chargersbackfield. He’ll remain a viable RB2 / flex starter versus theSteelers, who have allowed nearly seven catches per game to opposing running backs.
Carlos Hyde vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Hyde continues to be the lead back in Houston, which was evident last week when he rushed the football 21 times and scored a touchdown in a win over Atlanta. He’s on the RB2 / flex starter radar this week, as theTexans (face a) Chiefsdefense that’s surrendered the second-most rushing yards (133 .6 YPG) and 5.3 yards per rush to enemy runners.
Kenyan Drake vs. Washington Redskins
Remember Drake? Yeah, he was a top – 20 fantasy back last season but has been invisible through four games in 2019. Well, this is the time to start him as a flex based on a strong matchup against theRedskins. This unit has given up an average of 160 .4 scrimmage yards and the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing runners.
Start ‘Em:(Sony Michel) vs.New York Giants(Thur.),Devonta Freemanat Arizona Cardinals
Sleepers:Chris ThompsonatMiami Dolphins,Chase Edmondsvs. Atlanta Falcons
Sit ‘Em
Sit of the Week – Jordan Howard vs. Minnesota Vikings
Howard is tough to bench during the bye weeks. However, he still saw fewer snaps and split touches 50 / 50 withMiles Sanderslast week, so this is still a committee. What’s more, Howard has to face aVikingsdefense that has given up 3.7 yards per rush and one rushing touchdown to enemy running backs. I’d fade him if possible.
Joe Mixon vs. Baltimore Ravens
I get it … you probably have to start Mixon this week. Here’s the problem … he’s 29 th in fantasy points among backs, he’s averaging 3.7 yards per rush behind an awful run-blocking line, and the (Bengals) are throwing the ball 70 percent of the time. TheRavenshave also allowed the seventh-fewest scrimmage yards to opposing backs.
LeSean McCoy vs. Houston Texans
McCoy had just two touches and no carries last week, and he also lost a fumble in a loss to theColts. WithDamien Williamsback and seemingly back atop the depth chart, McCoy should be seen as no more than a desperation flex starter against theTexans. This could be a high-scoring affair, but most of the production with be via the air.
Ronald Jones vs. Carolina Panthers
Predicting what is going to happen in theBuccaneersbackfield is impossible week to week. Just when you thought Jones was the man, his snaps and touches dropped to a near 50 / 50 split with Peyton Barber in last week’s loss to theSaints. Next up is a date with thePanthers, who allowed nine rushing yards to Jones back in Week 2.
Royce Freeman vs. Tennessee Titans
Freeman has played on more snaps thanPhillip Lindsayover the last two weeks, and both backs continue to split touches in theBroncosbackfield. The problem has been in Freeman’s production, as he’s scored just 17 .7 points in the last two weeks while Lindsay has cruised to 31. TheTitanshave been tough on runners too.
Sit ‘Em:(Jon Hilliman) atNew England Patriots(Thur.),Duke JohnsonatKansas City Chiefs
Busts:LeSean McCoyvs.Houston Texans, (Miles Sandersat Minnesota Vikings
Michael Fabiano is an award-winningfantasy footballanalyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of theFantasySports Writers Association (FSWA)Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael onTwitter,Facebook,YouTubeandInstagram
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings