Favorable Running Back Matchups For Week 5 (2021)

Photo of Jonathan Klonowski Jonathan Klonowski Follow on X Send an email October 7, 2021
4 minutes read

Week 4 matchup predictions were fairly successful, although I’ll admit three of the four were players higher up the rankings who I expected to bounce back. Zack Moss, meanwhile, had a great matchup last week and had a solid outing. The second-year back rushed 14 times for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ blowout win against the Texans. Going forward he’s not someone I expect to move into RB2 territory any time soon but will be a viable flex-play and bye-week fill-in on occasion.

So who should we be paying attention to in week 5?

Cordarrelle Patterson (vs NYJ)

After a one-year hiatus due to COVID, the London games return this week as the Falcons and Jets travel across the Atlantic for this Sunday’s game. UK fans will be treated to watching the current RB3 in fantasy – Cordarrelle Patterson. Just like all predicted, right…?

The veteran, now onto his fifth team, has scored five total touchdowns this year the joint-most amongst running backs including three last Sunday. This, on top of his usage in the passing game, has propelled him up fantasy rankings. Patterson has seen 22 targets so far this year, the third-most in the league amongst RBs, reeling in 18 receptions for 235 yards – the highest number of receiving yards amongst running backs this year. This is all coming despite only playing on around a third of offensive snaps this season.

Patterson now faces the Jets who have allowed the most points to running backs this season. The return specialist has been a revelation so far this season, and while the production may look a little unsustainable given the usage, I would expect another good showing this Sunday.

Michael Carter (@ ATL)

On the opposite sideline at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be Jets’ rookie Michael Carter, who has seen his role steadily increase. Carter found the endzone for his first NFL touchdown last week in their overtime win against the Titans and has now seen at least ten touches in each of his last three games. The Jets’ fourth-round selection in this year’s draft handled 13 rushes last week, accounting for 65% of the team’s running back rushes. He has also seen usage in the passing game, which was one of his main strengths in college, receiving three targets in each of the last three games. His usage and production are on the up and Carter should be viewed as the clear starter going forwards.

He now has another favorable matchup as the Falcons have allowed the tenth most points to RBs so far this year. With his usage increasing and a good matchup ahead, Carter appears to be a solid flex play this week.

Chase Edmonds (vs SF)

Despite not scoring a single touchdown so far this season, Chase Edmonds ranks as RB17 in half-PPR scoring, according to FantasyData. Edmonds has been the primary pass-catching option out of the backfield for Arizona this year, totaling at least four receptions in each game so far. In total the fourth-year back has seen 22 targets, the joint-third most amongst running backs, registering 20 receptions for 140 yards. Edmonds, therefore, leads the team in receptions after the first four games, and we should not expect his usage to drop anytime soon.

One of the main concerns surround Edmonds coming into 2021 was his lack of usage around the goal line. While Conner has seen the majority of touches inside the ten with nine, Edmonds has seen four – compared to three during the entirety of the 2020 season. It is likely only a matter of time before he finds the end zone.

Edmonds and the Cardinals now face the 49ers, in what is projected to be one of the highest-scoring games of the week. San Francisco has not been nearly as strong defensively as many predicted coming into the season, and given his usage this season, Edmonds is in line for another strong performance.

Damien Harris (@ HOU)

Damien Harris would have likely had more luck running against a brick wall last Sunday, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held the Patriots to -1 rushing yard. And no, that’s not a typo. Harris has been New England’s lead back so far this season, accounting for around 70% of the team’s running back rushes. He has also, surprisingly, started to see a slight uptick in passing work. Harris has recorded seven receptions this year, already surpassing the five he saw during 2020.

Harris now has a favorable matchup against the Houston Texans. The Patriots come into this game as around nine-point favorites, which should provide Harris with plenty of opportunities for touches in a positive game script. On top of this, the Texans are just outside the top ten in points allowed to running backs. The team has already allowed eight rushing touchdowns this year, the joint-most in the league, and has seen opposing teams rush for 548 yards, the fifth most in the NFL this season.   

The last two weeks have seen Harris face two of the most difficult matchups in the league with both Saints and Bucs ranking in the bottom ten points allowed to running backs. So after two down weeks against tough run defenses, I’m expecting a bounce-back performance from Harris against the lowly Texans this week.

Photo of Jonathan Klonowski Jonathan Klonowski Follow on X Send an email October 7, 2021
4 minutes read
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