Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Running Backs Fantasy Football Week 11: Time for Tony Pollard to Break Out

The Cowboys rusher has been a disappointment but this matchup should get him healthy.

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. Buccaneers
2. Austin Ekeler at Packers
3. Travis Etienne vs. Titans
4. Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Bears
5. De’Von Achane vs. Raiders
6. Breece Hall at Bills
7. Josh Jacobs at Dolphins
8. Derrick Henry at Jaguars
9. Javonte Williams at Dolphins
10. D'Andre Swift at Chiefs (Mon.) 

Week 11 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: Colts, Falcons, Patriots, Saints

Week 11 Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports

Tony Pollard at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): I can’t believe these numbers, but Pollard has scored single digit points in five of his last six games. That’s awful. So, consider this a bit of validation … I’m sticking with him in a plus matchup against the Panthers. Their defense has allowed 15-plus points to eight running backs this season, including five who have put up over 20 points. Pollard should rebound.

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

Aaron Jones vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Jones is driving fantasy managers mad, as he’s scored single digits in all but one of his last five games including just 9.4 points last week. Still, I’m going to keep the faith and start him in what is a plus matchup against the Chargers. Their defense has given up double digits to 10 backs, including seven with at least 16 points and two with more than 26 points.

James Conner at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Conner returned to action last week and played a featured role, seeing 16 touches in a win over the Falcons. While his point total wasn’t great, the volume was there for the veteran. He should fare far better this week, as Conner faces a plus matchup against the Texans. This unit has allowed 11-plus points to backs 10 times, including four with more than 17 points.

Brian Robinson vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Robinson, listed as a start ’em last week, had a career day as a receiver with six catches, 119 yards and one score. He’ll be in the RB2/flex conversation this week, as Robinson faces a Giants team with nothing to play for at this point. Their defense has allowed 4.5 yards per rush, the second-most rushing yards and 23.1 points per game to runners in 2023.

Javonte Williams vs. Vikings (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Williams has (finally) taken over as the featured back in Denver, as he's seen a majority of the workload in his last two games. In that time, he's carried the ball a combined 48 times and seen a bananas 55 touches. That's reason enough to start him this week, even against a Vikings defense that's been tougher than you think against running backs. 

More Starts

David Montgomery vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Devin Singletary vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Darrell Henderson vs. Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

De’Von Achane vs. Raiders ($6,600)
Derrick Henry at Jaguars ($6,300)
James Conner at Texans ($5,700)

---

Week 11 Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports

Isiah Pacheco vs. Eagles (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Pacheco is in a bit of a rut, scoring fewer than seven fantasy points in each of his last two games. This week’s matchup against the Eagles won’t help his chances to rebound, either. No team in the league has allowed fewer rushing yards or fantasy points to opposing backs, and just one (Breece Hall) has beaten them for more than 15 points.

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

Najee Harris at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Harris has been much better in the stat sheets lately, scoring 15-plus points in three of his last four games. He also scored three touchdowns in those contests. That makes him tough to sit during the byes, but this week’s matchup in Cleveland is a tough one. Their defense has allowed just one touchdown and the fifth-fewest points to road running backs in 2023.

James Cook vs. Jets (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Cook has been up and down in the stat sheets lately, scoring single digits in four of his last six games while scoring more than 12 points just once in that time. He’ll be a risk-reward flex this week against the Jets, who held Cook to just 46 rushing yards in the regular-season opener. Don’t expect a high ceiling in this important AFC East matchup.

D’Onta Foreman at Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Foreman has saved the season for a lot of fantasy managers, scoring 17-plus points in two of his last four games. The problem this week is that he has a bad matchup against the Lions, who have given up just 544 rushing yards and 3.6 yards per rush on the season. Khalil Herbert is also close to making a return, which would muddy this backfield moving forward.

Chuba Hubbard vs. Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hubbard has taken over as the lead back in Carolina, but he hasn’t produced great totals. In fact, he’s scored fewer than eight points in two of his last three games. That trend could continue against the Cowboys, who have allowed fewer than 18 points per game to backs. Game script could also be an issue for Hubbard, who is a middling flex at best.

• Watch NFL games live with Fubo: Take advantage of special holiday pricing today!

More Sits

Darrell Henderson vs. Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Miles Sanders vs. Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Kareem Hunt vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Saquon Barkley at Commanders ($7,100)
James Cook vs. Jets ($6,100)
Rachaad White at 49ers ($6,000)