Favorable Running Back Matchups for Week 7 (2021)
Welcome to the bye-pocalypse…
Last week’s predictions were a little mixed. James Robinson handled ALL of the running back carries, scoring a touchdown in the Jaguars’ first win of the season against Miami. Khalil Herbert also found the endzone against Green Bay. Expectations for Herbert should be tempered this week, however, as the Aaron Rodgers-owned Bears face a Buccaneers team who have only allowed 329 rushing yards this season – the lowest in the league.
Gaskin and Williams, however, didn’t live up to expectations. Gaskin gained just 14 yards from his 11 touches against the Jaguars and despite the good matchup against the Falcons this week, he’s not someone you can have much faith in until proven otherwise.
Good luck in week 7, with six teams on bye and a plethora of injuries, we all need it.
Chuba Hubbard (@ NYG)
This was special.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 17, 2021
Chuba Hubbard's first NFL TD!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/MNlkL0LISC
Since Christian McCaffrey has landed on IR the Carolina backfield has been dominated by rookie Chuba Hubbard. The Panthers’ fourth-round selection in this year’s draft has handled an average of 20 touches over the last three weeks and has been efficient so far. The rookie has now recorded at least 60 yards from scrimmage in each of his last four games. Head coach Matt Rhule also recently indicated that the team would look to lean on the run stating “we’re gonna redefine who we are, and we’re gonna run the football” after Sam Darnold’s recent struggles.
This weekend Hubbard and the Panthers travel up to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants in what is a favorable matchup for Hubbard. This year the Giants have allowed the sixth-most points in the league to running backs, allowing at least 130 rushing yards in each of the last three games.
Damien Harris (vs NYJ)
Harris continues to lead the New England backfield and is coming off another impressive performance. Last week against the Cowboys he rushed 18 times, gaining 101 yards and a touchdown, and has now seen at least 14 touches in four of his six games. Harris has largely been fairly safe this year – his two unproductive performances have come against two of the toughest matchups, the Saints and the Buccaneers.
This week’s matchup doesn’t get much better. The Patriots are up against division rivals the New York Jets in a game they are around 7-point favorites. The Jets have given up the second-most points to running backs this season, only behind the Detroit Lions, and continue to be a matchup we should look to exploit. Start Harris with confidence this week.
Cordarrelle Patterson (vs MIA)
Patterson has evolved into an every-week starter whatever the matchup given his current usage in this offense – but this week’s game looks to be an enticing one. He faces a struggling Dolphins team who lost to the previously undefeated Jaguars in London last week. Miami has allowed the fourth-most points to running backs this season, including James Robinson’s 100- yard combined performance last week.
The veteran saw another uptick in usage against the Jets, recording 14 rushes and seven receptions. This represented his highest number of touches so far this year, and Patterson has now seen at least five receptions in his last four outings. While this may have partly been helped by the fact Calvin Ridley did not make the trip to London, we should expect Patterson to remain heavily involved in the Falcons offense.
AJ Dillon (vs WAS)
Good morning. pic.twitter.com/JfrLv9d40O
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) October 18, 2021
‘Quadzilla’ has carved out a clear role for himself in Green Bay this season after a fairly quiet rookie campaign. Dillon has seen in at least ten touches in each of the last three games, at an average of 78 scrimmage yards over that period.
This week Green Bay plays the Washington Football Team. The Packers currently stand as 8.5 favorites meaning Dillon is likely to face a positive game script and a possible blowout win could see an uptick in usage over starter Aaron Jones. Despite high expectations for this defense before the season, Washington has been a surprisingly good matchup for running backs this season. The Football Team has allowed the ninth-most points to running backs this season, according to FantasyData. If you’re struggling for starters this week, Dillon should provide you with a solid floor in a favorable matchup.