Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Running Backs Fantasy Football Wild Card: Isiah Pacheco Stays Hot

The Chiefs’ second-year back ended the regular season strong and should continue to produce in the playoffs.

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.

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

Wild Card Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

(AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Isiah Pacheco vs. Miami Dolphins (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, Peacock): Pacheco ended the regular season on fire, scoring 21-plus points in three of his last four games. He has also been seeing well over 20 touches per game, and this week’s matchup vs. the Dolphins makes him a solid starter. Their defense has allowed 10 total scores and the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing home running backs 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

Rachaad White vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Mon. 8 p.m. ET, ESPN): White’s last two games left something to be desired from a statistical perspective, but he should rebound against the Eagles. This team is in total disarray, losing five of its last six games including losses to the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. Their run defense has also allowed the third-most points to runners in the last four weeks.

More Starts

Tony Pollard vs. Green Bay Packers (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
Aaron Jones at Dallas Cowboys (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Tony Pollard vs. Packers ($6,100)
Jerome Ford at Houston Texans ($5,500)

Wild Card Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

D’Andre Swift at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mon. 8 p.m. ET, ESPN): Swift, who missed the regular-season finale with an illness, has scored fewer than 10 points in six of his last eight games, and this week’s matchup against the Buccaneers makes him a gamble. Their defense has been tough on backs, allowing the second-fewest points in the last four weeks and the sixth-fewest points to road runners overall.

Sit ’Em

Devin Singletary vs. Cleveland Browns (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Singletary has been a nice flex option in recent weeks, but his numbers haven’t been eye popping. In fact, he’s scored fewer than 13 points in four of his last six games. While the Browns defense isn’t as formidable against runners on the road, this unit still surrendered just 83.2 rushing yards per game to the position for the season.

More Sits

David Montgomery vs. Los Angeles Rams (8 p.m. ET, NBC)
Najee Harris at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Raheem Mostert at Kansas City Chiefs ($6,700)
David Montgomery vs. Rams ($6,200)

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