Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Football Week 6: Running Backs - Fades, Sleepers, Matchups, DFS Bargains

There's reason to feel good about the Rams' Darrell Henderson this week in a matchup against the Giants

Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams or Travis Kelce. Instead, I'll look at the players you have the most questions about to help you set the most effective starting lineup possible. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2021 NFL season.

Byes: 49ers, Falcons, Jets, Saints

Week 6 Start ‘Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Darrell Henderson at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Henderson put up a nice stat line last week, scoring 16.9 fantasy points while seeing a 33.3% touch share. He did lose some red-zone looks to Sony Michel, but that’s not enough to keep him out of fantasy lineups. He’ll be a solid No. 2 option against the Giants, who have given up an average of 170 scrimmage yards and the fifth-most points to enemy running backs.

Week 6 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

• QUARTERBACKS
• RUNNING BACKS
• WIDE RECEIVERS
• TIGHT ENDS
• KICKERS
• TEAM DEFENSES

Start ‘Em

D’Andre Swift vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Swift is in a near-even rotation in the Lions backfield with Jamaal Williams, but the Georgia product has been far more efficient on a points-per-touch basis (1.13 to 0.88). I like Swift as a high No. 2 back this weekend, as he’ll face a Bengals defense that has allowed 14-plus fantasy points to five backs this season. That includes three performances with 20-plus fantasy points.

Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports

Khalil Herbert vs. Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Bears will be without David Montgomery and Damien Williams this week, leaving Herbert as the top runner against the Packers. He's a solid flex option based on volume alone, but the matchup is also favorable. Green Bay has allowed four running backs to scored 15+ fantasy points this season, and the Bears have run the ball 65% of the time since Week 3.

Zack Moss at Titans (Mon., 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Moss has earned a bigger role in the Bills offense in recent weeks, as he’s seen a near 27 percent touch share in his last two games. He’s also seen seven red-zone looks compared to one for backfield mate Devin Singletary. This week, I like Moss as a flex option as the Bills face a Titans defense that's allowed 14-plus fantasy points to four different runners this season.

Darrel Williams at Football Team (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Williams is expected to see a much bigger role in the Chiefs offense over the next few weeks, as Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out with an injured knee. The Football Team has allowed 18-plus fantasy points to a running back in each of its last three games, including 29-plus to Alvin Kamara and Cordarelle Patterson, so Williams should be seen as a nice FLEX option.

More Starts

• Josh Jacobs at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Javonte Williams vs. Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Myles Gaskin at Jaguars (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains

• Javonte Williams vs. Seahawks ($4,900)
• Darrel Williams at Football Team ($4,900)
• Khalil Herbert vs. Packers ($4,600)

Week 6 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Chase Edmonds at Browns (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Edmonds is coming off his worst stat line of the season, scoring just 4.4 fantasy points in a win over the 49ers. He has been dealing with a bum shoulder, and James Conner continues to put a huge dent in his touches in the red zone. Edmonds also has a bad matchup next on the slate, as the Browns have allowed just one back to score more than 10.2 points against them.

Sit ‘Em

Devontae Booker vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Booker will take over as the Giants' new lead back in the absence of Saquon Barkley, who suffered an injured ankle in a loss to the Cowboys. So while he’ll be a volume-based FLEX option in many leagues, keep in mind that a matchup against the Rams and potential negative game script looms. With the Giants offense a mess of injuries, Booker could be in for a long afternoon.

Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Damien Harris vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Harris suffered injuries to his chest and ribs last week, so he’ll be playing at less than 100 percent against the Cowboys. The Dallas defense has been tough on running backs, allowing the eighth-fewest points to the position after five weeks. A projected negative game script could also mean fewer carries for Harris, who should be seen as no more than a risk-reward FLEX this week.

Latavius Murray vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): This weekend's matchup against the Chargers is a positive one, as their defense has struggled against running backs. So while he will have some value as a FLEX starter with four teams on a bye, keep in mind that Murray hasn't rushed for more than 59 yards in a single game and is basically touchdown dependent. If you decide to start him, do it with limited expectations.

Watch NFL games online all season long with fuboTV: Start with a 7-day free trial!

Alex Collins at Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Seahawks will be without Chris Carson for another week, which opens the door for Collins to start another game. He'll be a tough sell in fantasy leagues, though, as the Steelers haven't allowed a running back to score more than 11.6 fantasy points against them this season. Their defense can cheat against the run, as Geno Smith will be starting in place of Russell Wilson.

More Sits

• A.J. Dillon at Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Mark Ingram at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• James Conner at Browns (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Fades

• Chase Edmonds at Browns ($5,600)
• Devontae Booker vs. Rams ($5,400)
• Damien Harris vs. Cowboys ($5,200)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business!

Get fantasy and betting analysis in your inbox by signing up for the Winners Club newsletter

Sports Illustrated may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.