Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Running Backs Fantasy Football Divisional Round: Chiefs Lean on Isiah Pacheco

The second-year back has been a reliable asset for Kansas City and fantasy managers.

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.

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

Divisional Round Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Isiah Pacheco at Buffalo Bills (3 p.m. ET, NBC): Pacheco has been steady in the stat sheets, scoring at least 15.8 points in four of his last five games including the playoffs. The Bills have allowed some big games to backs at Orchard Park as well, with five scoring at least 17.9 points including two who scored at least 27 points. With elite volume going in his direction, too, Pacheco should remain a solid pick.

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Start ’Em

Aaron Jones at San Francisco 49ers (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, Fox): Jones has been on fire in the last month, scoring at least 14 points in four straight games including 32.1 points in last week’s win over the Dallas Cowboys. This week’s matchup in San Francisco is tough for Jones on paper, but the 49ers’ defense did allow five yards per rush to enemy running backs in their last four games of the regular season.

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Isiah Pacheco at Bills ($6,400)
Gus Edwards vs. Houston Texans ($5,900)

Divisional Round Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

David Montgomery vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3p.m. ET, NBC): Montgomery has been consistent, scoring at least 10 fantasy points in nine straight games. The downside has been his ceiling, which has lowered into the low teens in the last few weeks as he loses work to Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery also has a bad matchup against the Bucs, who haven’t allowed a rushing score to a back since Week 15.

Sit ’Em

Rachaad White at Detroit Lions (3 p.m. ET, NBC): White was one of the best sleepers in fantasy football this season, but a matchup in Detroit makes him a risk. Their defense has allowed just two backs to beat them for more than 11.1 points at Ford Field, and not a single runner has rushed for even 70 yards against them. So, while White can score as a receiver, too, his rushing ceiling seems a bit limited.

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Rachaad White at Lions ($6,500)
James Cook vs. Kansas City Chiefs ($6,300)

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