Favorable Running Back Matchups for Week 9 (2021)
We had a couple of hits and one very clear miss last week with Damien Harris continuing his excellent season while Kenneth Gainwell saw a clear reduction in usage despite Miles Sanders’ injury. We go again in week 9 with four more players to take note of.
Also, if you haven’t already make sure you tune into @4thAndFrames each week to hear about more players on offense with prime matchups as well:
Devontae Booker (vs LV)
Devontae Booker takes off for 41 yards 💨
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 2, 2021
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/2DNboIyzQa
Booker has been a serviceable replacement in the absence of superstar running back Saquon Barkley. The backup has now seen at least 15 touches in each of his last four games and has been productive since becoming the starter. In half-PPR scoring, Booker has scored double-digit points in three of his last four games. This included his solid performance against Kansas City last week in their 20-17 loss in which he rushed 15 times for 60 yards adding a further 65 yards on five receptions.
Barkley now has an uphill struggle to play on Sunday after landing on the COVID list, whilst he is also dealing with an ankle injury. Booker and the Giants, meanwhile, have another good matchup against a Las Vegas Raiders team susceptible to running backs. This season the Raiders have allowed the ninth-most average points to the running back position in half-PPR scoring. With Saquon likely out for another week, you can fire Booker up again with confidence that he’ll see a full workload again in a good matchup.
Myles Gaskin (vs HOU)
Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin has had a rather mixed year, hitting over 25 fantasy points against a formidable Buccaneers defense yet scoring fewer than 10 half-PPR points in five games this season. Some of the underlying numbers, however, point to the possibility of more consistent fantasy production going forwards. With Malcolm Brown going on IR for at least the next couple of games after suffering a quad injury, running back carries were split between Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed last week with Gaskin the clear lead back. Gaskin has now seen double-digit carries in each of his last two games and at least four targets in all but one game this season.
Gaskin and the Dolphins face the Houston Texans this week in a very favorable matchup. Houston has allowed the sixth-most average points to running backs this season in half-PPR scoring, according to FantasyData. The team has also allowed the most rushing yards so far this year. With Miami currently around 6.5 point favorites over the Texans, Gaskin should have plenty of opportunities to exploit this poor defense in a positive game script.
Boston Scott (vs LAC)
BOSTON SCOTT!!! Where have they been hiding you?? #FLYEAGLESFLY #Philly #Eagles #Football #NFL pic.twitter.com/iUkoqsvAvh
— Brian Westbrook (@36westbrook) November 1, 2021
After Miles Sanders landed on IR it seemed obvious that Kenneth Gainwell, who had seen solid usage earlier in the year, so naturally he was only really used in garbage time in the Eagles win over the Lions. Instead, Boston Scott was the team’s lead back, rushing 12 times at a healthy 5.0 yards per carry, accumulating 60 yards, and scoring two touchdowns.
The matchup this week is another good one. The Eagles face the Chargers who have been one of the most advantageous matchups for running backs, as seen again last week. The LA Chargers have allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league so far this year, and have allowed the fifth-most average points to running backs, according to FantasyData. Scott is a good flex option this week, although he obviously comes with some risk given the coaching decisions in Philly this year.
Elijah Mitchell (vs ARI)
Elijah Mitchell: 350 rushing yards after contact
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 1, 2021
Leads all rookies💨pic.twitter.com/n9W5QxGla8
Since the team’s bye week, 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell has been the clear lead back. The rookie has rushed 18 times in each of his last two outings, reaching the 100-yard mark in each game whilst also scoring a touchdown. Despite not seeing a single target over these two games, Mitchell’s usage and production on the ground should leave us optimistic that he can continue to succeed in neutral and positive game scripts.
San Francisco now welcomes the Cardinals which on paper isn’t the easiest matchup for Mitchell with Arizona allowing the seventh-fewest average points to running backs. The Cardinals, however, allowed both Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to have success on the ground last week as the Packers rushed for 151 yards in their win. One small word of warning, however. Mitchell has been dealing with a rib issue but if he’s starting against the Cardinals on Sunday, you should be able to fire him up again.