My weekly matchup chart highlights the best positional matchups vs. the toughest. Translation: green is a good matchup for the position, red is bad, and yellow is neutral. This information is updated weekly based on fantasy points against (to date) and a few other factors and presented in no particular order per tier.
Notable RBs on BYE this Week
D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Rico Dowdle
My Guys This Week
Chubba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Something clicked for Hubbard and the Panthers in Week 3 – Andy Dalton. Who would have thought that a change at QB would have brought about sweeping increases in value to every skill position on that offense? (insert raising hand emoji). Anywhosers, since Week 3, Hubbard has been on an ABSOLUTE touches tear – 26, 22, 17, and 23 (the NFL leader over that span). Carolina is currently leaning on their best offensive player. However, you have to wonder how much longer because Jonathon Brooks’ pending activation (Dave Canales said Monday that they’d be opening the 21-day window soon) is just around the corner. I don’t expect that to be this week, and as such, Hubbard will continue to eat. Washington ranks 21st against the RB position this season, so the matchup is just right. RB6 on the season will deliver a Top 15 performance this Sunday.
CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 21: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against DeShon Elliott #32 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a NFL preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images)
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard has actually been a bit of a touches-monster also, averaging just under 20 a game so far in 2024, which is kind of nutso to me because Tyjae Spears is such a talented back who deserves more touches himself. And back in draft season, we all kind of thought the split would be quite a bit different, didn’t we? It’s basically 67/33 at this point, with Pollard getting nearly 75% of the snaps against the Colts. What was I saying? Oh yeah, Pollard this week. With snap share trending towards Pollard, this week’s matchup in Buffalo looks even tastier. Buffalo ranks 31st against running backs, having been gouged in 5/6 games this year. Tennessee will have to control the clock to stand a chance, and Pollard would have to be a big part of that equation. Conversely, if they have to throw to stay in the game, I could see Pollard accumulating targets/catches as well. Ipso facto, I dig the game script either way, and I see a positive finish for Pollard.
Honorable mention: Tank Bigsby (JAX), Kyren Williams (LAR), J.K. Dobbins (LAC)
My Fades This Week
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
I know. I KNOW. Kenneth Walker III is football’s equivalent to Royce Lewis. When he’s healthy and out there, HE MASHES. Exhibit A – Walker III is RB13 on the season despite missing two games. Exhibit B – super sturdy floor, generally (hasn’t scored less than 10 points in a game all season. You can bank on those kind of numbers. I just don’t like the matchup this week. Atlanta has faced some decent backfields (Pittsburgh, Philly, New Orleans, Carolina) and come away as the sixth-ranked defense against RBs. Plus, Seattle has to travel farther than almost every team in the NFL, and jetlag is a thing (not that it’s a complete game changer, but the effects are there – it’s science). Seattle also has one of the worst-projected OL/DL matchups of the week (-4% line advantage, per PFF), so Walker III may not find much space to break loose against the Falcons. Walker may just be matchup-proof, but there are too many variables I don’t like this week for him or our fantasy lineups.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 14: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball to score a 7 yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Entering 2024, this was Conner’s backfield. Through five weeks, it’s been Conner’s backfield. But something happened in Week 6 – we saw Conner’s snap share decrease to 28%, a season-low BY FAR. Conner still leads this backfield, and while I don’t think that’s in jeopardy, he’s been ceding snaps (and touches) to the other RBs on the roster. Benson and Demercado both have been at least 20% in two of the last three weeks, with Demercado coming in at 53% against the Packers. I’m certain Conner’s lack of production against the Packers was a game script and injury thing, as Green Bay dominated whistle to whistle. I am, however, still a bit concerned about Conner going forward – starting this week against a Chargers team that is fairly stout against the run (4th). I’ll admit they haven’t really faced a great back yet, and Pittsburgh kind of got to them a bit in Week 3. But they’ve only allowed one touchdown on the season, and that’s something I can’t overlook. With the Arizona backfield shaping into more of a timeshare than we anticipated (at least at this point in the season), I’m souring a bit on Conner as an option. Start him where you have to, but I expect he’ll be on the outside of the top 24 this week.
Honorable mention: Aaron Jones (MIN), Jordan Mason (KC), Bucky Irving (TB)
