It was a week of breakout performances for some running backs, specifically Tony Pollard, who tied his career high with three rushing touchdowns. Quinshon Judkins also had his best game of the season with two touchdowns.
Rhamondre Stevenson also had a good day, fueled by his 48-yard touchdown just before halftime against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. Bucky Irving even had a breakout performance with over 100 yards and two touchdowns.
But some running backs did not have breakout games. Derrick Henry only had 45 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. Kenneth Walker III was also held in check with just 36 rushing yards against his old team, and Chase Brown had just 58 total yards.
So, who should you trust in your fantasy lineup
this week? Heading into Week 8, here are the top running back starts and sits.
Start - Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Assuming he returns after missing the last two weeks with an ankle injury, Jeremiyah Love should be in the starting lineup in Week 8. The primary reason is his matchup. The Dallas Cowboys have one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL, giving Love the chance to get back on track and have a breakout game. Perhaps during Love’s two-week absence, the Cardinals have realized he needs to get more involved if the offense is going to get anything going.
Start - Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams was supposed to be Los Angeles’ top running back. However, the Rams have split their backfield between Williams and Corum. But this is a rare scenario where both running backs are viable in fantasy. Over the past three weeks, Corum has scored a touchdown in every game, which is helping his fantasy value. The Los Angeles Chargers have given up six rushing touchdowns this year, giving Corum a good chance to make it four games in a row with a touchdown.
Start - Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Before the Jacksonville Jaguars went on bye, running back Bhayshul Tuten was heating up. He had his best game of the season against the Houston Texans with 39 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Tuten would have more touchdowns if the Jaguars stopped getting called for penalties when he scores, but they could have cleaned that up during the bye week.
Compared to other running backs, Tuten also has a decent receiving upside, and the Indianapolis Colts have given up the eighth-most receiving yards to running backs. They are also trading away some of their top playmakers before the bye, including DeForest Buckner. This should be a good opportunity for Tuten to put up a lot of points.
Sit - Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
After scoring three touchdowns last week against the Cleveland Browns, it seems hard to put Pollard back on the bench. However, the Cincinnati Bengals are one of the worst fantasy matchups for running backs. They have allowed only three touchdowns to running backs all season and have allowed under 100 rushing yards in three games, including last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Pollard also only had one touchdown before his breakout against Cleveland. This sets up a steep fantasy decline this week.
Sit - Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones put up double-digit points in full PPR leagues before their bye week. However, in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, he had only 26 rushing yards and one reception before leaving with a knee injury. His status for Week 8 against the Detroit Lions is uncertain. More importantly, Jordan Mason is back, which will cut into his productivity even if he is healthy. Regardless of whether or not he plays this week, he should stay on the bench.
Sit - Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Throughout the season, Judkins’ production has been up and down, but he had his best game last week against the Tennessee Titans. But the Titans' run defense isn't as good as the Pittsburgh Steelers', who have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to running backs of any team in the NFL. They have only allowed running backs to score four touchdowns. Pittsburgh’s biggest weakness against running backs has been giving up receiving yards, but Judkins doesn't have a consistent history as a receiving back. Just for this week, he should stay on the bench.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start’em, Sit’em Week 8: RB Edition
