Running Back Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks For Fantasy Football Week 5

Michael Fabiano | Oct 4, 2024

Start Em, Sit Em Running Backs: Week 5 /

It’s Week 5, folks! Time to set those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I'll examine the running backs who could exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their weekly opponent … like Chuba Hubbard and Zack Moss in Week 4!

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I, as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

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Fabs’ Top 10 Running backs

1. Kyren Williams vs. Packers
2. Alvin Kamara at Chiefs (Mon.)
3. Jordan Mason vs. Cardinals
4. Aaron Jones vs. Jets (London)
5. Derrick Henry at Bengals
6. Breece Hall vs. Vikings (London)
7. Bijan Robinson vs. Buccaneers (Thurs.)
8. Kenneth Walker vs. Giants
9. Josh Jacobs at Rams
10. James Cook at Texans

Complete Week 5 running back rankings

Bye Weeks: Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Titans

Week 5 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Start of the Week

Josh Jacobs at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Jacobs has not lived up to his expectations after four weeks, averaging fewer than 11 fantasy points per game. Regardless, he should remain in lineups with a plus matchup against the Rams next on the schedule. Their run defense has already allowed four running backs to beat them for more than 16 points, and that includes D’Andre Swift’s 29.5-point performance this past weekend. 

Start ‘Em

Travis Etienne vs. Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Etienne has been a huge disappointment to this point, averaging a modest 11.6 fantasy points. He’s also been losing work to Tank Bigsby. Still, I’m going to keep the faith and start him against the Colts. In four career games against them, Etienne has scored 21-plus points twice and averaged 16.5 points. So, if for no other reason than for validation, I would keep Etienne in fantasy lineups.

Brian Robinson Jr. vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Robinson Jr. has been quietly solid for fantasy fans, averaging almost 16 points per game. He should remain in lineups this week, even with the expected return of Austin Ekeler (concussion), against the Browns. Their defense has allowed three backs to score 12-plus points against them in the first four weeks, including Devin Singletary's one-touchdown, 18.8-point effort in Week 3.

Chuba Hubbard at Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hubbard has been on fire lately, scoring 22-plus points in each of his last two games. During that time, he’s also averaged more than five yards per rush. He’s also fifth among backs in Rushing Yards Over Expected (+71). He should remain in fantasy lineups against the Bears, who have allowed three backs to put up 18-plus fantasy points in their first four games including two with 20-plus points.

Jerome Ford at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Ford hasn’t put up huge numbers, but he is averaging nearly 13 fantasy points in his first four games. He’ll be a viable No. 2 back or flex starter this week, as the Browns face a Commanders defense that’s allowed four different backs to beat them for 14-plus points this season. That includes James Conner, who beat Washington for 104 rushing yards, a touchdown and 18.3 points last week.

RBs With Good Matchups

• Kenneth Walker vs. Giants (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Najee Harris vs. Cowboys (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
• D’Andre Swift vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Week 5 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024. / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Sit of the Week

James Conner at 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Conner is tough to sit, especially with the bye weeks here, so I would consider this more of a “temper your expectations” situation. The veteran has failed to score more than 11 points in four of his six career games against the 49ers, and their defense has held Aaron Jones and Rhamondre Stevenson to fewer than 10 points in two of the last three weeks. Start Conner with caution this week.

Sit ‘Em

Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Fox): This is more of a warning than a sit 'em, as the Dolphins have been brutal against running backs. The concern is that Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo might use Antonio Gibson more often this week due in large part to Stevenson's recent case of fumbilitis. If Mayo sticks with Stevenson atop the depth chart, he's a viable fantasy starter. Otherwise, Gibson might be the better option.

Chase Brown vs. Ravens (1p.m. ET, CBS): Brown scored two touchdowns and 23.3 PPR points in last week’s win over the Panthers, but I wouldn’t “chase” those points. He had a great matchup against the Panthers, but that’s not the case this week. Instead, he’ll go up against a Ravens defense that’s allowed 2.7 yards per rush and the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. As a result, Brown should be on the sidelines.

Javonte Williams vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Williams is coming off one of his best games of the season, and he still mustered just 10 points in a win over the Jets. He’s now averaging 7.7 points per game, and Williams continues to lose work to Jaleel McLaughlin.  So, while this week’s matchup against the Raiders is very favorable on paper, Williams has proven that he can’t be trusted. Unless you’re desperate, I’d keep him benched.

Kareem Hunt vs. Saints (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Hunt looks like the new lead back for the Chiefs, as he saw most of the team's backfield touches in his first game back with the franchise. While that made him a hot free-agent add this week, he's still no more than a risky flex starter against the Saints on Monday night. Besides Saquan Barkley, no running back has scored more than 11.4 fantasy points against their defense this season.

RBs With Bad Matchups

• Zamir White at Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Rico Dowdle at Steelers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
• Justice Hill at Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)