Favorable Running Back Matchups for Week 11 (2021)
Each week Fantasy In Frames is highlighting key running back matchups to take advantage of. Here are four favorable running back matchups for Week 11!
It was a successful week last week, with AJ Dillon scoring twice and finishing as THE RB1 on the week after Aaron Jones’ injury. Jones is likely to be out 1-2 weeks according to reports, meaning Dillon should shoulder the vast majority of the work – particularly close to the end zone. Dillon’s usage in the passing game, meanwhile, remains encouraging. The second-year back saw another two receptions for 62 yards last week.
Let’s hope for more success this week!
Let’s get into the four more running backs to look out for this week…
Michael Carter (@ MIA)
Jets rookie Michael Carter continues to impress after another strong performance in week 10, and now has a juicy matchup against a division rival. Carter has scored at least ten points in half-PPR scoring in four of his last five games, including last week. The rookie accumulated 39 yards and a touchdown on the ground from 16 attempts, with another 43 yards from four receptions (six targets). It is worth reiterating that these numbers were against the Buffalo Bills who allow the fewest average points to running backs this season.
Carter, however, has a much better matchup this week against the Miami Dolphins. While they are coming off an impressive performance against the Baltimore Ravens, it’s hardly a matchup to avoid for Carter. Additionally, with Joe Flacco at quarterback it would be unlikely we see a change from the high passing volume Carter has received in recent weeks. After his recent performances, he’s close to becoming an every-week fantasy starter – particularly in PPR leagues.
Michael Carter is RB18 on the season but over the last month is RB3! He’s being getting the Lions share of the carries and piling up the receptions. pic.twitter.com/QcFWwh3D85
— Daniel Harms (@InHarmsWay19) November 18, 2021
D’Onta Foreman (vs HOU)
Following Derrick Henry’s injury, the backfield has been split between Jeremy McNichols, Adrian Peterson, and D’Onta Foreman, but the latter has potentially begun to emerge as the leader in the pack. The veteran saw his touches jump from five in his first game, without any targets, to 13 last week including two receptions. Foreman led the team in rushing attempts against the Saints with 11, versus eight for Peterson and four for McNichols. Now with McNichols in the concussion protocol, the backfield may only be split in two this coming week against Houston.
The Texans continue to be one of the most favorable matchups for running backs. Houston has allowed the tenth-highest average points to the position so far this year, according to FantasyData. The team has also allowed the second-most rushing yards this season, allowing an average of 137 rushing yards per game while opposing teams have scored 15 rushing touchdowns against the lowly Texans – the second-highest in the NFL.
Myles Gaskin (vs NYJ)
After seeing fairly irregular usage in the opening weeks of the season, Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin has seen more consistent touches in recent weeks. The third-year running back has now seen at least 15 touches in each of his last four games. This issue, however, has been his efficiency as he has failed to reach 60 scrimmage yards in three of those four games. His fantasy production has been buoyed by his usage in the passing game, with Gaskin currently ranking fifth in receptions amongst running backs.
This week the matchup doesn’t get much better for Gaskin. The Jets rank first in average fantasy points allowed to running backs, according to FantasyData, astonishingly allowing just over 35 points per game to the position. His fantasy production has been fairly irregular this year, but Gaskin is great flex-option in week 11.
Mark Ingram II (@ PHI)
The veteran received a bell-cow workload in week 10 in Alvin Kamara’s absence, breaching 100 all-purpose yards against Tennesee. Ingram rushed 47 times for 47 yards and a touchdown, adding a further 61 yards through the air on four catches (seven targets). While Kamara appears set to return this coming Sunday against the Eagles, it seems unlikely he’ll receive his usual workload after returning in a limited fashion this week before missing Thursday’s practice.
This presents Ingram with another opportunity to produce and this time in a much more favorable matchup on paper. The Saints are facing an Eagles defense that is allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, according to FantasyData. Even if Kamara plays, Ingram is likely to be the 1B, and with a lack of offensive weapons elsewhere, he’s a worthy flex-option again this week.
Look at the details. @markingramII
— NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2021
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