Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Running Backs Fantasy Football Week 10: Rhamondre Stevenson Stays Hot

The Patriots running back heads to Germany following his best game of the season.

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 at Jaguars
2. Austin Ekeler vs. Lions
3. Alvin Kamara vs. Vikings
4. Travis Etienne vs. 49ers
5. Breece Hall at Raiders
6. Jonathan Taylor at Patriots
7. Joe Mixon vs. Texans
8. Josh Jacobs vs. Jets
9. Tony Pollard vs. Giants
10. Derrick Henry at Buccaneers

Complete Week 10 rankings

Week 10 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: Chiefs, Dolphins, Eagles, Rams

Week 10 Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Colts (Frankfurt 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): Stevenson is coming off his best game of the season, scoring 22.9 points in a loss to the Commanders. That’s a huge improvement, as he had scored single digits in four of his previous six contests. I’d keep him in all lineups against the Colts, who have allowed 15-plus points to running backs seven times this season.

Colorado, Michigan and Virginia Readers: Get up to $100 from SI Sportsbook

Bet $5 on DraftKings and get $200 in Bonus Bets if not in those states

Start ’Em

Bijan Robinson at Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): This might seem like low-hanging fruit, but is it really? In the last five weeks, Robinson has averaged fewer than nine points per game. That’s awful considering he was a first-round fantasy pick. So, consider this a little bit of encouragement. The rookie should roll over the Cardinals, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to runners.

Javonte Williams at Bills (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Williams is getting hot in the stat sheets, scoring a combined 31.4 fantasy points in his last two games. He also saw a season high 27 rushes in his last game, so he could be pushing past Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. Williams will be a nice No. 2 back or flex against the Bills, who have allowed 13-plus points to seven running backs.

Najee Harris vs. Packers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Are we starting to see Harris turn his fortunes? He has scored 15-plus points in two of his last three games, averaging a solid 14 points in that time. Next up is a plus matchup against the Packers, who have allowed 11-plus points to six runners including four who have scored over 17. That makes Harris and Jaylen Warren both viable fantasy starters this week.

Brian Robinson at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Robinson, listed as a start ’em last week, scored a touchdown and 11.7 points in a road win over the Patriots. He’ll be a nice No. 2 running back or flex starter against the Seahawks, who have been generous to opposing backs lately. In fact, their defense has given up four scores and the sixth-most fantasy points to the position over the last four weeks.

More Starts

Rachaad White vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Aaron Jones at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
David Montgomery at Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Joe Mixon vs. Texans ($6,200)
Brian Robinson at Seahawks ($5,400)
Najee Harris vs. Packers ($4,900)

Week 10 Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Saquon Barkley at Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): I know Barkley is going to be active in most fantasy leagues, so consider this a beware and a fade in DFS. The Giants offense is a mess, losing their top two quarterbacks and Darren Waller in the last two weeks. That leaves Tommy DeVito or Matt Barkley to start against an elite Cowboys defense that will sell out to stop Barkley the entire game.

Colorado, Michigan and Virginia Readers: Get up to $100 from SI Sportsbook

Bet $5 on FanDuel and get $200 in Bonus Bets if not in those states

Sit ’Em

Gus Edwards vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Edwards is going to be tough to sit, as he’s scored six combined touchdowns in his last three games. The problem is, however, that the Browns have one of the top defenses in the league. In fact, this unit has allowed just three touchdowns and the fourth-fewest points per game to the position this season. I’d consider Edwards a risk-reward flex starter.

James Cook vs. Broncos (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Broncos have given up the most fantasy points to running backs this season, so how is Cook a sit ’em? Well, Denver has been far better lately, allowing just 19.1 points per game to runners in the last four weeks. During that time, their defense has limited Isiah Pacheco, Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon to single digit fantasy production.

Kareem Hunt at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hunt has scored double digit points in three of his last four games, but he’s also seen his numbers decline in each of those contests. He played just 21 snaps last week, compared to Jerome Ford’s 47, so Hunt is no longer the lead back. He also has a bad matchup against the Ravens, who have allowed three touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2023.

Devin Singletary at Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Singletary was a popular bye-week option last week in the absence of Dameon Pierce, but he failed to meet expectations. Regardless of Pierce's status for this week's matchup against the Bengals, I'd keep the veteran on the sidelines. Houston's backfield has been a fantasy wasteland, and this could be a pass-happy, high-scoring affair.

More Sits

Zack Moss vs. Patriots (Frankfurt 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)|
Jerome Ford at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Tyjae Spears at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Saquon Barkley at Cowboys ($7,700)
Gus Edwards vs. Browns ($6,100) 
Jerome Ford at Ravens ($5,300)