Favorable Running Back Matchups for Week 6 (2021)

Photo of Jonathan Klonowski Jonathan Klonowski Follow on X Send an email October 14, 2021
3 minutes read

The two picks from last week’s London game proved to be fairly successful with both Michael Carter and Cordarrelle Patterson scoring double-digit fantasy points in half-PPR scoring last week. Carter is a particularly interesting fantasy asset going forward this season. The rookie again had a rushing attempt within the 5-yard line which he converted into a touchdown. He was again utilized in the passing game, seeing another three targets while receiving ten rushing attempts. The hope is now that these numbers continue to increase. His upside is limited somewhat by the offense, but upcoming matchups against the likes of the Bengals and Dolphins may be ones to target.

Cordarrelle Patterson, meanwhile, benefitted from Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage not making the trip across to London. The versatile back saw an impressive nine targets, reeling in seven receptions for 60 yards and adding a further 54 yards from 14 rushing attempts. Given his usage in this offense, he should be a weekly starter until we see otherwise.

And so to week 6…

James Robinson (vs MIA)

Following his bizarre usage in week 1, last year’s waiver wire sensation has quietly been having another successful season. The second-year back is the current RB10 in half-PPR scoring after a noticeable uptick in usage and production. After seeing just 11 touches in week 1, Robinson has now seen at least 19 touches in each of the last three games. Last week he enjoyed his best game on the ground so far this year, rushing 18 times for 149 yards and a touchdown – his first 100-yard rushing game this season.

Robinson now travels across to the UK to play the Dolphins in the second London game of the season in what should be a favorable matchup. This year Miami has allowed the second-most points to running backs, only behind the Jets. This included a 100-yard rushing game from Jonathan Taylor two weeks ago and a solid outing from Leonard Fournette last week.  Expect another big performance from Robinson this weekend.

Myles Gaskin (@ JAX)

This week I am again picking opposing running backs at Tottenham. The Miami backfield has generally been one to avoid this year with the team struggling to get anything going on the ground so far. The Dolphins have only rushed for 352 yards this season, the lowest total in the league. The matchup this coming Sunday, however, provides the team with an opportunity to reverse that trend, as they face a Jacksonville team that allows the fifth-most points to running backs. The Jaguars have already allowed nine rushing touchdowns this year, the joint-most in the league.

Myles Gaskin is the most likely to benefit from the matchup. He has handled just under 50% of the team’s running back rushes and has been the primary pass-catching option out of the backfield. Gaskin is joint-second on the team in receptions with 22, seeing at least five targets in four games this season – including ten last week.

Javonte Williams (vs LV)

Rookie Javonte Williams has had a solid start to his career. The Broncos’ second-round pick in this year’s draft, however, has split time with veteran Melvin Gordon and is yet to have a true breakout game thus far. The rookie is currently joint-third in the league in missed tackles forced, according to PFF, only behind Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry (while tied with Damien Harris). Another positive note is that Williams has seen an uptick in the passing game. After seeing just one reception in each of his first two games, he has now seen three receptions in each of his last three games.

Williams now has a favorable matchup against divisional rivals the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs this season, according to FantasyData. The team has also allowed 672 rushing yards this season, the eighth-most in the league. The breakout is coming sooner rather than later.

Khalil Herbert (vs GB)

Injuries to the rest of the running back room have thrust rookie Khalil Herbert to the forefront as the bears face rivals Green Bay this weekend. The Packers are not quite the easy matchup for running backs they were last year. Green Bay this year has given up an average of just under 22 points to running backs this season in half-PPR scoring, which ranks around the middle of the pack.  

The injury to David Montgomery meant Herbert led the team in rushing with 18 attempts for 75 yards at a solid 4.2 yards per carry. Now with Damien Williams on the COVID list, the rookie is in line to handle the vast majority of the workload this Sunday. After a good performance last weekend Herbert is a viable flex-play, who should see plenty of volume, for those needing to deal with injuries and bye-week absentees.

Photo of Jonathan Klonowski Jonathan Klonowski Follow on X Send an email October 14, 2021
3 minutes read
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