NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 8. The official halfway point of the fantasy regular season. With the injuries piling up and bye weeks in full throttle, here are three running backs that should be in your starting lineup for this weekend.
Tony Pollard 54% Started
It’s not rocket science. With Ezekiel Elliott not expected to play (Knee) Week 8 when taking on the Bears, it opens the door for Tony Pollard to see a massive uptick in volume. Zeke’s absence frees up a whopping 16.5 touches per game. The electrifying 25-year old figures to get almost all of them. Pollard is locked for 20+ touches against the #25 run defense in the NFL. A league-high 45.3 percent of the yards against Chicago have come on the ground this season. He’s an RB1 for as long as Zeke is sidelined.
D’Onta Foreman 24% Started
Chuba Hubbard (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 8 against the Falcons. Enter D’Onta Foreman. The 26-year-old now will lead the Panthers’ against a Falcons defense giving up the fifth highest expected points added per rush this season. Foreman last week ran for 118 yards on 15 carries against Tampa. Only four running backs in Week 7 had more rush yards after contact per attempt. He should be considered a high-end RB2 in Week 8.
Tyler Allgeier 26% Started
Maybe not a must start here, but a strong one nonetheless. The rookie has officially jumped counter-partner Caleb Huntley in the pecking order for touches in the Falcons backfield. Allgeier played a season high 62% of the snaps and was rewarded with a TD last week vs. the Bengals. Since Cordarrelle Paterson was placed on the IR (Week 5), the 22-year-old has compiled 44 carries (11 in NFL.) Despite his inefficiencies on the ground and in the pass game, the volume is there and the matchup is there. The only question? Can he find the end zone in consecutive weeks? Consider the rookie a fringe start this week.
