1) Antonio Gibson at Detroit

Gibson has been improving from the beginning of the season until now as all rookies should. He’s posted double digits points in six of eight games and averaged 16.7 FPts/G the past two weeks. He’s reached the end zone in five of the last seven games. Now he faces a Lions’ running back defense ranked dead last, yielding 34.5 FPts/G and Gibson should get the majority of that work. He’s been involved in the pass game, though less than J.D. McKissic, so game situation should be less of a factor.

2) Leonard Fournette at Carolina

Fournette has apparently taken over for Ronald Jones as the primary guy in Tampa, though no one ran the ball last week against New Orleans (four rushing attempts plus a kneel down). Ignore the Saints game and look at the distribution against the Giants and you will see Fournette seeing double the work of Jones. Facing the 28th-ranked Panthers running back defense (28.8 FPts/G) should be a solid opportunity for Fournette as Brady & Co. will work to get the ground game going here.

3) Miles Sanders at New York Giants

Sanders returned to practice Wednesday, a great sign that he’s ready to roll on Sunday against the Giants. He missed the first matchup with the division rival due to injury, but his backup, Boston Scott produced 92 combined yards and the game-winning score. Assuming Sanders is healthy, he’s a better runner than Scott and as good a receiver. The Giants rank 24th against opposing RBs and have been particularly vulnerable to backs out of the backfield (ranked last yielding 503 yards).

Grab some Pine

1) Joe Mixon/Giovani Bernard at Pittsburgh

Even after a bye week, Joe Mixon missed Wednesday’s practice. Not a good sign though he could still practice Friday and play at less than 100%. I don’t care whether its Mixon or Giovani Bernard, I’m staying away. The Steelers are No.1 against opposing fantasy RBs and only Sanders has cracked 17 points against this defense who has faced the likes of; Melvin Gordon, Kareem Hunt, Derrick Henry, Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley.

2) Jerick McKinnon at New Orleans

The Saints have yet to allow 17 fantasy points to a running back all season. The most was 16.6 points to Aaron Jones and McKinnon is no Jones. McKinnon and not Jamycal Hasty is the 49ers’ starting running back, but neither will thrive against a New Orleans defense ranked No.4 to opposing fantasy backs.

3) D’Andre Swift vs Washington

Swift has been a solid running back option over the past five games, averaging 15.1 FPts/G, but this isn’t the game to continue his rise. The Football team gives up yards (728), but not many touchdowns (5) and is particularly stingy with backs out of the backfield, a Swift strength (26-207-1). Only Nick Chubb has cracked the 20-point mark. All told, they rank 11th against opposing backs.

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers