This article will tell you about eight running backs that our advanced stats indicate can be productive in lineups as we approach Sunday’s Week 8 slate of NFL action. The advanced metrics that FantasyData provides our subscribers are not the end all be all. They are very useful at helping you better understand matchups in order to make the best possible lineup decision.
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Boston Scott
Miles Sanders did not practice yesterday, which isn’t a great sign for his availability on Sunday as the Eagles face the Cowboys. Sanders was expected to miss a week or two with his knee injury. The Eagles have a bye week coming up in Week 9 which would provide him additional time to recover. Scott handled 15 touches last week and finished with 17 PPR fantasy points. He played 69 percent of the Eagles offensive snaps.
The Boston Scott Game. 🦅@BostonScott2 | @Eagles
📺: #NYGvsPHI — TONIGHT 8pm ET on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/W5bCPYgMfo pic.twitter.com/LsJ1oRbPdl— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2020
A high percentage (78%) of Scott’s rushing attempts have come against light defensive fronts. He’s been very efficient with his opportunities this season. Scott has averaged one Yard Created Per Attempt and 0.76 fantasy points per opportunity this season. Yards Created are all yards above and beyond what was blocked. They’re generated by the runner after the first evaded tackle. Scott’s a must-start against a Cowboys defense that has given up 27.4 PPR fantasy points per game to running backs over the last five games.
Darrell Henderson
The Rams average nearly 32 rushing attempts per game which rank second in the NFL. Los Angeles’ backfield can be frustrating, but Henderson has had 14 or more rushing attempts in four of his last five games, including each of Henderson’s last three. He’s faced a base or light defensive front on 87% of his rushing attempts. Henderson’s opportunity share this season has been 47 percent. He’s averaged 1.14 Yards Created Per Attempt and 0.87 fantasy points per opportunity.
Darrell Henderson is really good.
Like good enough to not use a second round pick on Cam Akers good.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) October 27, 2020
Henderson is an excellent start against the Dolphins in Week 8. Miami’s defense has allowed an average of 29 PPR fantasy points per game to running backs over its last five. The Rams are favored over the Dolphins and as a result Henderson should see plenty of opportunities.
Melvin Gordon
Some may be buying into the revenge game narrative as Gordon and the Broncos face the Chargers. He’s played 73.5% of Denver’s offensive snaps and has an opportunity share of nearly 74% with Phillip Lindsay missing time earlier this season. Gordon has four games with 18 touches and he’s scored a touchdown in each of them. He’s had five rushing attempts this season of 15 or more yards. Top running back scorers have averaged 21.3 PPR fantasy points per game against the Chargers over the last five games.
Le’Veon Bell
I’d be surprised if Chiefs head coach Andy Reid doesn’t give Bell an opportunity to eviscerate the Jets defense and get some revenge. Last week he had six rushing attempts for 39 yards. The Chiefs have averaged 28.6 rushing attempts per game this season. Both Bell and rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire should both be able to eat considering the Chiefs are heavy favorites. Bell has averaged 0.65 fantasy points per opportunity this season behind the Jets subpar offensive line. Imagine what he can accomplish in the Chiefs offensive scheme.
.@LeVeonBell getting going with the @Chiefs. #ChiefsKingdom
📺: #KCvsDEN on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nCwBl54Akc pic.twitter.com/lv77W9pkXX— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2020
The Jets defense has allowed an average of 26.5 fantasy points per game to running backs over the last five games.
Myles Gaskin
Gaskin has played 65.4 percent of the Dolphins offensive snaps and has an opportunity share of 63 percent. He’s averaged 14 PPR fantasy points per game and can be viewed as a weekly RB2. Gaskin is ranked 14th in Juke Rate and is averaging a respectable 0.77 fantasy points per opportunity. His role will be unchanged with rookie Tua Tagovailoa under center. The Rams defense has improved as the season has progressed. Top running back scorers have only averaged 11.86 PPR fantasy points per game against them over the last five games. It is worth noting that the Rams defense has struggled against backs being used as receivers out of the backfield. Over the last five games, backs have averaged 4.2 receptions and 32.6 receiving yards against them.
Lamical Perine
Perine set a season-high in rushing attempts (11), rushing yards (39), and receiving yards (16) last week against the Bills. He’s on the RB3 radar against the Chiefs.
lamical perine is new york’s new bell cow back:
*33 snaps (gore 17)
*11 routes
*3 targets
*13 touches
*3 rz touches (gore 0)
*13.5 fantasy points
*4.3k salary wk 8 pic.twitter.com/o9cnBklFnv— the podfather (@Fantasy_Mansion) October 26, 2020
Kansas City has allowed six running backs this season to score a touchdown or accumulate 100 or more total yards. Perine has a faced a light defensive front on 57% of his rushing attempts this season.
Zack Moss
Moss had seven rushing attempts for 47 yards against the Jets. He also had three receptions for 25 yards. Moss is averaging two Yards Created Per Attempt and 0.92 fantasy points per rushing attempt this season. The Bills face a Patriots defense this week that has allowed a 100-yard rusher in back to back games. Moss is an upside RB3 this week.
Leonard Fournette
Fournette has two games with the Buccaneers where he’s been given 10 or more touches and has scored 15 or more PPR fantasy points. He’s averaged 1.58 Yards Created Per Attempt and 1.01 fantasy points per opportunity this season.
#Bucs Week 7 RB Usage
– Leonard Fournette, 56% snaps, 11 carries, 7 targets (97 yards)
– Ronald Jones, 43% snaps, 13 carries, 2 targets (36 yards, TD)— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 25, 2020
The Buccaneers backfield will continue to be a committee between Fournette and Ronald Jones. Fournette is the one being used more as a receiver out of the backfield. Last week against the Raiders he was targeted seven times. Fournette is on the flex radar against the Giants in Week 8. New York’s defense has allowed an average of 27 PPR fantasy points per game to running backs over its last five.
Conclusion
FantasyData has a wealth of statistical information available to you at your fingertips. Do you ever wonder how to weave all of the information together in order to make informed decisions for your fantasy football team? That’s the purpose behind the Advanced Metrics series that I’m writing this season. One way to approach any decision in fantasy football is to analyze two things. The first one revolves around the narrative. What are NFL Insiders, beat writers, and coaches saying. The second one revolves around the statistics, metrics, and other data. Take a moment to think of a piano. You can play music with one hand, but once you use both hands the music is even better. You should have the same mindset when it comes to managing your fantasy football team. If you have additional questions you can also refer to my fantasy football rankings or better yet reach out to me on Twitter for an immediate response (@EricNMoody). Thanks for reading and please sign up for FantasyData Premium.
