J.K. Dobbins let us down in Week 7 at Arizona, but he should rebound in a major way in Week 8 against the Saints. I consider Dobbins a top-10 Fantasy running back in all leagues.
The Cardinals did a good job containing Dobbins, who only scored 9.6 PPR points despite 17 total touches. He had 14 carries for 40 yards and three catches for 26 yards on three targets, and I love that he has at least 17 total touches in five games in a row.
This week, Dobbins should dominate the Saints, who are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Three running backs in the past two games (Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker and Javonte Williams) have scored at least 18.5 PPR points against New Orleans, and Dobbins should have the chance for a dominant outing.
While last week was frustrating to watch Dobbins fail against the Cardinals, he should bounce back in Week 8. Be happy that Dobbins is on your Fantasy roster for this matchup against the Saints.
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RBs to Start
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Williams picked a great time to have a good game in Week 7 at New Orleans when he scored 26.1 PPR points, and now Fantasy managers can trust him heading into Week 8 against the Panthers. Carolina is No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and 11 running backs have scored at least 12.1 PPR points against the Panthers this season. I like Williams as a borderline starter in all leagues, and Jaleel McLaughlin can be used as a flex given this matchup.
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In two games as the starter for the Chiefs, Hunt has scored at least 18.7 PPR points in each outing against the Saints and 49ers. He has 49 carries over that span and three touchdowns, and the only thing lacking is his role in the passing game where he has just five catches on six targets. That said, the Raiders are No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and one running back has scored at least 15.5 PPR points against Las Vegas in every game this season. I like Hunt as a top-15 Fantasy running back in all leagues in Week 8.
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I'm hopeful that Swift stays hot coming off his bye in Week 7, and he's worth starting as a No. 2 running back in all leagues. Prior to his bye, Swift had scored at least 20 PPR points in three games in a row against the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars. He had at least 21 total touches in each outing, and he scored a touchdown in each game, with a combined 13 catches on 13 targets. The Commanders have allowed five running backs to score at least 16.5 PPR points this season, and Washington has allowed three rushing touchdowns to Derrick Henry (two) and Chuba Hubbard in the past two weeks.
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This could be the last time we see Mason in a featured role, and he's worth using as a No. 2 running back in all leagues against Dallas. San Francisco has a bye in Week 9, and Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) could return in Week 10. Let's hope that motivates Mason to have a dominant performance against the Cowboys, who are No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Four running backs have scored at least 18.9 PPR points against Dallas this season, and Mason will hopefully have his fourth game this year with at least 17.4 PPR points.
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White is part of a three-headed backfield with the Buccaneers now that Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker are sharing touches, but White's role in the passing game should be solidified -- and needed. With Chris Godwin (ankle) and Mike Evans (hamstring) injured, White should be a go-to option out of the backfield for Baker Mayfield. We saw that in Week 7 against Baltimore when Evans and Godwin were hurt, and White had six catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns on six targets. He also scored at least 15.9 PPR points in two games against the Falcons last year, and he had 10 carries for 72 yards and three catches for minus-6 yards against the Falcons in Week 5. In PPR, White should be used as a No. 2 running back in all leagues, and he's a flex in other formats as long as Irving and Tucker continue to get carries.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Brown had a down game in Week 7 at Cleveland with just 7.3 PPR points, but prior to that he scored at least 14.4 PPR points in three outings in a row. He played more snaps than Zack Moss the past two games, and that should continue against the Eagles. Philadelphia's run defense has looked better in the past three games against Tampa Bay, Cleveland and the Giants, but four running backs this season have scored at least 12.5 PPR points. I like Brown as a high-end flex in Week 8.
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The Dolphins offense should improve dramatically with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) expected to return in Week 8, and that should benefit all of the main skill players. Mostert ran well in his past two games against the Patriots and Colts with a combined 30 carries for 130 yards and two catches for 18 yards on two targets over that span, although he lost a fumble in Week 7 at Indianapolis. De'Von Achane is a must-start running back in all leagues against the Cardinals, who have allowed seven running backs to score at least 12.0 PPR points this season, and Mostert is worth using as a flex.
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Allen could be a flex in Week 8 against the Patriots if the Jets have the chance to play with a lead. In Week 3 against New England, Allen had a season-high 11 carries, and he finished with 55 yards and three catches for 13 yards on three targets. Allen only has nine total touches in his past two games against Minnesota and Buffalo since Breece Hall is dominating the workload, but I can see Allen doing more in this matchup. The Patriots are No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and a pair of running backs have scored at least 10.0 PPR points in each of the past two games against the Texans (Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce) and Jaguars (Tank Bigsby and D'Ernest Johnson).
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Najee Harris is establishing himself as a quality No. 2 running back in all leagues with his performance in the past two games against the Raiders and Jets, but Warren is worth using as a flex option against the Giants in Week 8. Warren had a solid outing in Week 7 against the Jets with 12 carries for 44 yards and two catches for 15 yards on three targets, and he appears finally over the knee injury that knocked him out for two games prior to Week 6. Harris also should benefit with Russell Wilson starting for the Steelers, and the Giants have allowed six running backs to score at least 13.1 PPR points this season.
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If Travis Etienne (hamstring) is out again in Week 8 against the Packers then I like Johnson as a flex option in PPR. If the Packers are playing with a lead against Jacksonville then Johnson should get more work in the passing game then Tank Bigsby, who only has two targets this season. Johnson has nine targets in his past three games, and he had seven catches over that span. He also had 10.0 PPR points in Week 7 against New England with nine carries for 38 yards and three catches for 32 yards on four targets.
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RBs to Sit
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Dowdle has taken over as the lead running back for the Cowboys, and he scored at least 10.5 PPR points in each of his past three games against the Giants, Steelers and Lions. He caught two touchdowns over that span, but otherwise he's been held to 61 total yards or less in all but one game this season. The 49ers aren't a lockdown run defense, but I would only use him as a flex in Week 8 in the majority of leagues.
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It was great to have Chubb back in Week 7 against the Bengals, and he scored a touchdown in his 2024 debut. But he only had 11 carries for 22 yards and the score and one catch for 10 yards on three targets. We'll see how things go with Jameis Winston under center for the Browns, but this is a brutal matchup against the Ravens in Week 8. Baltimore hasn't allowed a running back to gain more than 46 yards on the ground, and only four running backs have scored rushing touchdowns this season. If Chubb doesn't score a touchdown in this game then his production will be minimal.
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Stevenson was terrible in a great matchup in Week 7 at Jacksonville with seven carries for 18 yards and two catches for 7 yards on three targets. He's now scored 8.2 PPR points in three of his past four games, and he was limited to six carries for 23 yards and a fumble in the first game against the Jets in Week 3. The Jets have struggled with Ray Davis and Najee Harris in the past two games, but they are still No. 10 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. I would only use Stevenson as a flex option in Week 8.
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Tracy dominated snaps for the Giants in Week 7 against Philadelphia compared to Devin Singletary, 39-12. We'll see if that continues in Week 8 against the Steelers, but I would sit both Giants in Week 8 in the majority of leagues. Against the Eagles, Tracy had six carries for 23 yards and three catches for 9 yards on three targets, and it will be tough to trust him against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is No. 9 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and this Giants offensive line is a mess without left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot).
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Mattison was excellent in Week 7 at the Rams with 23 carries for 92 yards and three catches for 31 yards on three targets, and he scored 15.3 PPR points. He also scored 17.5 PPR points in Week 6, and he's worth using as a flex option in most weeks. But it will be tough to trust him in Week 8 against the Chiefs, who are No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. No running back has gained more than 58 rushing yards against Kansas City, including matchups with Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, J.K. Dobbins, Alvin Kamara and Jordan Mason. I would avoid Mattison in most lineups in Week 8.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Pollard has been great for Fantasy managers this season, and he scored at least 15.2 PPR points in four of six games. But he's coming off a down game in Week 7 at Buffalo with only 8.5 PPR points, and Tyjae Spears (hamstring) could return in Week 8 following a one-game absence. Pollard should be considered a low-end No. 2 running back or flex option in Week 8 against the Lions, who are No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Detroit will make stopping Pollard a focal point, especially with Will Levis (shoulder) hurt and DeAndre Hopkins now traded to Kansas City.
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