Aug 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs with the ball during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns
START HIM:
David Montgomery:
I’m not breaking the bank. With Khalil Herbert on the IR, and the Bears running the ball more than anyone in the NFL, David Montgomery is finally set to break out of his slump. Of the seven running backs to see 17-plus touches against the Falcons this season, six of them have scored 18-plus fantasy points. Montgomery should see 20+ touches in what projects to be a high-scoring game.
Cordarrelle Patterson:
This is simple. Patterson is Atlanta’s best playmaker. Give him a pass for his week 10 dud. The Falcons had no desire to push him on a short week, in a hurricane, just three days after being activated off the IR. Except Arthur Smith to get back to the basics. The Bears have been dreadful vs. running backs (28th.) Start him.
Brian Robinson:
Despite Washington implementing a RBBC – the rookie continuously gets the slight edge in touches. Fresh off a 22 touch performance vs. the Eagles, the 23-year-old now faces the worst rush defense in the NFL. That puts him in flex conversation.
SIT HIM:
D’Andre Swift:
He’s simply a name at this point of the season. After just playing 16% of Detroit’s snaps Week 9, Swift followed it up a 31% snap percentage last week. He’s not playing enough to warrant a start and a date with the Giants doesn’t seem like the time or place to get going.
D’Onta Foreman:
It’s never fun betting against a player coming off a career game, but this comes down to math. Foreman thrives when the Panthers are winning games. A QB change + a date in Baltimore screams negative game script, which projects better for the Chubba Hubbard’s of the world. The 26-year-old finished with just 21 yards week 9 – a game the Panther trailed from start to finish.
DART THROW:
Isiah Pacheco:
I’m having a difficult time understanding how the starting running back on the Chiefs is just 17% started. The rookie is fresh off a career high 16 touches last week vs. the Jaguars. Pat Mahomes finished 2nd in rush attempts. Kadarius Toney finished 3rd. This is Pacheco’s backfield to lose. On tap week 11? The Chargers, who rank 30th against RB’s.
DEEP DART THROW:
Trestan Ebner:
When David Montgomery missed two weeks earlier in the season it was Ebner who operated as the Bears backup running back. The rookie projects to reclaim that role, now that Khalil Herbert is out. That’s enough to warrant a dart throw if you’re desperate.
