Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Running Backs Fantasy Football Week 8: Isiah Pacheco Continues to Roll

The Chiefs’ second-year back has had five straight solid fantasy performances.

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 or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs

1. Christian McCaffrey vs. Bengals
2. Austin Ekeler vs. Bears
3. Travis Etienne at Steelers
4. Alvin Kamara at Colts|
5. Tony Pollard vs. Rams
6. Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Raiders (Mon.)
7. Breece Hall at Giants
8. Raheem Mostert vs. Patriots
9. Saquon Barkley vs. Jets
10. Kenneth Walker vs. Browns

Complete Week 8 rankings

Week 8 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: None

Week 8 Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports

Isiah Pacheco at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Pacheco has been on quite a hot streak, scoring 13-plus fantasy points in each of his last five games. He’s seen at least 17 touches in each game, too, so Pacheco has emerged as a true featured back. He should thrive against the Broncos, who have given up 15-plus PPR points to six opposing runners including Pacheco’s 15.8 points back in Week 6.

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Start ’Em

Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Raiders (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Gibbs finally met the high expectations of fantasy managers last week, scoring 27.6 fantasy points in a loss to the Ravens. With David Montgomery still on the shelf, the rookie should shine once again in a plus matchup against the Raiders. The Las Vegas defense has allowed eight total touchdowns and the fifth-most points per game to opposing running backs.

Kareem Hunt at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Hunt has posted strong totals in each of his last two games, and he could play an even bigger role in the offense if Jerome Ford is out of action. He’ll face a Seattle defense that has given up 11-plus points to six running backs, including two who have posted more than 17 points. With a potential increase in volume, Hunt is a viable No. 2 fantasy back.

Alexander Mattison at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Mattison lost work to Cam Akers last week, which is a concern, but he’s still a viable flex option against the Packers. The Green Bay defense has allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs, five of which have beaten them for more than 12 points. Green Bay has also given up 17-plus points to four other runners, and one scored more than 30 points.

Dameon Pierce at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Pierce has been tough to trust this season, averaging fewer than nine fantasy points per game. Still, a plus matchup against the Panthers makes him a viable flex option. Their defense has been awful against backs, allowing 15-plus points six times including five runners who have put up more than 20 points. In all, Carolina has allowed the second-most points.

More Starts

Breece Hall at Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Rhamondre Stevenson at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
D’Onta Foreman at Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Breece Hall at Giants ($5,900)
Dameon Pierce at Panthers ($5,300)
Kareem Hunt at Seahawks ($5,200)

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Week 8 Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Brian Robinson vs. Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Robinson has hit a rough spot in the stat sheets, scoring single digits in three of his last five games. During that time, he has averaged a modest 10.1 points. He’ll be a risk-reward flex starter this week, as Robinson faces a tough Eagles run defense. This unit has allowed just 3.3 yards per rush and the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

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Sit ’Em

Joe Mixon at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Mixon will be tough to sit, but let’s be honest … he’s having a subpar season in the stat sheets. He’s scored single digits in two of his last three games, and Mixon is averaging just 11.5 points per game overall. The Niners run defense isn’t impenetrable, but this unit has allowed just four total touchdowns and fewer than four yards per attempt this season.

Darrell Henderson at Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Henderson looked good in his first game off the couch, rushing the ball 18 times and scoring 13.6 points in a loss to the Steelers. That will make him a viable flex option in many leagues, but keep in mind a tough matchup against the Cowboys. Their defense has allowed just one opposing runner to beat them for more than 13.8 fantasy points in 2023.

Javonte Williams vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Williams has actually looked good in his last two games, averaging more than five yards on his 25 combined carries. The problem is that he remains in a committee with Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. Williams also has a bad matchup against the Chiefs, who have given up just three touchdowns and the fifth-fewest points per game to backs.

Zack Moss at Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Moss is coming off his worst stat line of the season, scoring just 7.2 fantasy points in a loss to the Browns. He’s also losing work to Jonathan Taylor, who outscored him by nearly 14 fantasy points last week. The Saints defense has allowed just one running back to beat them for more than 13.9 points this season, so Moss is no more than a risk-reward flex option.

More Sits

A.J. Dillon at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Tyler Allgeier at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Emari Demercado vs. Ravens (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Bijan Robinson at Titans ($6,000)
Joe Mixon at 49ers ($5,800)
Brian Robinson vs. Eagles ($5,400)

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