DFS DRAWING BOARD - NFL Week 8 - Running Backs

big-e (56)in #sports • 6 years ago

Welcome back to another weekly article related to NFL DFS. We are entering Week 8 of the NFL season and with it brings some major high scoring games to pick through. This should be an exciting week with plenty of fantasy points to be had. We have our weekly QB article out of the way, now its time to attack the RB position.

Last week was just a bad week in general for DFS. The RB position, however, ended up pretty solid as we hit on our picks of Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, and Kerryon Johnson. Unfortunately, LeSean McCoy was injured early in his game but otherwise our RB picks performed. Lets try to keep that rolling into Week 8.

Each week we take a step back to review the upcoming weeks matchups and crunch the numbers to develop a series of position specific articles related to top daily fantasy sports plays. Whether you are playing on FanDuel, DrafKings, or even configuring your season long NFL lineups, these articles should serve as a reference tool and helpful guide to choosing the best players. I've shortened these articles to give you only the necessities and bottom-line reasoning as to my top choices. This is a no bullshi*t article and by that I mean the players and plays I suggest are those that I will be using in my personal lineups. Nothing is excluded. We intend to win. The goal is to make great lineups, win money, and share our success stories. If you are new to my blog or daily fantasy sports in general, I encourage you to check out my DFS Introduction post which provides some general context on what DFS is and how to play. Spoiler alert, if you like playing fantasy sports and winning money, DFS is the platform for you. Also, if you haven’t already, feel free to follow my referral links and sign up for Fanduel and Draftkings. Each provides its own set of bonuses for new users.

With that being said, here are my top plays at the running back position for Week 8. Enjoy, upvote, and comment on your weekly outlook.

RUNNING BACKS

James Conner - Pittsburgh Steelers

$7,500 / vs. CLE / PIT - 8

I'm liking the Steelers in general this week for a variety of reasons. If you aren't going with Big Ben and Pittsburgh receivers, your next best option is to find room for James Conner. Thats not to say Conner isn't a solid addition to a Big Ben stack, but for any lineup I don't have the QB/WR stack, I will for sure be fitting Conner in. The weather in Pittsburgh isn't ideal right now for a passing attack. Its cold and rainy for an outdoor game played on a grass field. The University of Pittsburgh has also played a game on Saturday on the same field, so we might be looking a sloppy field that may favor the run game more. Furthermore, Pittsburgh is a solid favorite this week (-8) and if they go up big early, which is very possible, expect them to pound the run game and Conner for the remainder of the game. Conner has been a beast so far this season. He is effective both in the run game and pass game which helps no matter how the game flow of the game changes. His opponent, Cleveland has been giving up huge yardage to RBs this season. They are currently surrendering over 112 rushing yards (6th worst) and 1 TD (2nd worst) to the RB position this season. Even Tampa Bay's weak run game was able to rack up over 100 yards rushing and 3 rushing TDs against the Browns last week, albeit much of that came from Winston. One of those performances included James Conner Week 1 where he rushed for over 130 yards and had 2 TDs. Since Week 4, Pittsburgh has committed themselves to keeping the run game active, as they should with one of the best offensive lines in the game. Conner is by far my favorite RB heading into Week 8.

Kareem Hunt - Kansas City Chiefs

$7,100 / vs. DEN / KC - 10

Kareem Hunt is coming off a monster game last week where he scored 3 total TDs and had a highlight reel hurdle against Cincinnati. I recommended Mahomes in my QB article and if you are not getting exposure to KC with him, I think you have to look into Hunt again this week. KC in general has been putting up boat loads of points and are playing again in a high total game this week at home vs. Denver. Even better, KC is favored by 10 points thus favoring Hunt and the run game. Should KC take a solid lead, Hunt's will receive plenty of opportunity. But, again, similar to Conner, Hunt barely comes off the field and will remain involved in the passing game, should KC go that route. There is little doubt Hunt will get 20-25 touches this week against a Denver defense that has shown weakness against the run. In fact, Denver, for how good they have been against the pass, have given up the 2nd most DK fantasy points to the RB position this season at a 33.57 average, which is insane. Denver ranks as the 3rd worst team in terms of RB rushing yards against, surrendering over 135 yards per game. KC played in Denver Week 4 and Hunt was able to feast with 121 yards rushing and a TD on 21 carries. He is a workhorse back, involved in the passing game, playing at home as a huge favorite vs. a very weak rushing defense. Sign me up for Hunt this Sunday.

Isaiah Crowell - New York Jets

$3,700 / at CHI / NYJ + 7.5

Isaiah Crowell enters Week 8 as a great value play at just $3,700 on DK and similarly bottom tier priced on other sites. The Jets season starter, Bilal Powell was just placed on the IR with a significant neck injury this past week, thrusting Crowell into the starting roll. This play is less about the matchup and more about the opportunity coupled with price. At such a low price, we really don't a crazy performance out of Crowell. Realistically, Powell should receive somewhere around 15 touches this week. The negative is Crowell has never been a great running and the Bears are a stout defense. However, with increased opportunity as the only back in town, I have faith Crowell can, at the very least, pay off his almost minimum price tag. If you are looking for some value savings, Crowell could be your guy this weekend.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Phillip Lindsay - $5,200 - Broncos

Similar to Denver, Kanas City also doesn't have a stout run defense, or defense in general leaving most Denver players in a great spot. Freeman is out for Denver leaving more touches for Lindsay. Lindsay has been pretty good this year and we can expect 10-15 touches between rushing and receiving. A high total game, decent price tag, and one of Denvers best playmakers make Lindsay a solid play this weekend.

Kerryon Johnson - $5,300 - Lions

Lions are finally starting to exclusively use Johnson as their primary RB which has produced great results. Johnson has looked great with opportunity and that should continue this weekend in Seattle. Expect 15-20 touches against and average Seattle defense.

Adrian Peterson - $4,900 - Redskins

Peterson isn't getting enough love this year but he is having a very solid season. He approaches 100 yards each game, which on DK involves a significant bonus in points. He hasn't necessarily hit value but his 100 yard game, bonus, and TD game is coming. The Giants are an average, at best, defense.

Doug Martin - $4,400 - Raiders

Risky pick here but Doug Martin should get the first crack to be the lead back replacing Marshawn Lynch. He hasn't shown much promise in his limited use this year but the Colts do offer a decent matchup for the RB position. I like Crowell at a cheaper price but if you are looking for some value outside of Crowell, Martin could fit that bill.

Thats about it for the RB position for Week 8. As always, good luck this weekend and lets win some money!