You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Ja'Marr Chase. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
This past Sunday, Conner put up 22.2 fantasy points, his second-highest total in a game this season. He has shown to have a very safe floor and clearly brings upside. The best part: He is not game-script reliant, as he is used often both on the ground and in the passing game. Now he faces the Patriots, who have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards to backs. Not to mention, this could be a game where the Cards have a lead late and use Conner to grind out the clock. The Pats have allowed a top-13 fantasy RB in seven weeks already. Conner is a must-start.
Sadly, Jonathon Brooks suffered a torn ACL last week. That leaves Hubbard as the clear workhorse back in Carolina for the foreseeable future. He has been excellent for fantasy, with 15-plus fantasy points in eight of his last 11 games. He has been a fantasy RB1 in four of his last five. This Sunday, he faces the Cowboys, who have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs. Dallas has given up the fifth-most fantasy PPG to the position. In what should be a competitive game, Hubbard is a strong start.
While Jones has been a bit up and down as of late, he has still shown to be a reliable fantasy option, scoring double-digit points in six of his last eight games. Now he draws the Bears, whom he just burned for nearly 20 fantasy points in Week 12. Chicago has allowed the most rushing yards to backs since Week 10. In the last month, the Bears have given up the fourth-most fantasy PPG to the position. This is definitely a week to get Jones in your lineup.
Dowdle has been running hot, rushing for more than 110 yards and scoring over 15 fantasy points in each of his last two games. The former undrafted free-agent signee has dominated volume in Dallas. He brings a safe floor, but this should be an upside week for the Cowboys' lead runner. This is the best matchup a running back can have right now, as the Panthers have given up the most fantasy PPG to the position. On the season, they have allowed the most rushing yards and touchdowns to backs. Since Week 10, they have yielded an absurd 5.9 yards per carry and explosive runs at a league-high rate of 18 percent. The upside is too high to get away from Dowdle this week.
MORE START OPTIONS: Bengals' Chase Brown (at Titans), Commanders' Brian Robinson Jr. (at Saints), Buccaneers' Bucky Irving/Rachaad White (at Chargers).
Sit 'Em
There was a stretch in the middle of the season when Swift was routinely featured as a "start" in this piece. Lately, he's been more of a "sit," with single-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games. He has averaged just 9.6 fantasy PPG in that span, running for fewer than 40 yards in each of the past three games. And to make matters worse, he has to worry about losing goal-line carries, scoring just one touchdown over his last six games. On Monday night, he faces the Vikings, who held him to 9.5 fantasy points in Week 12. They have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards -- and just six rushing touchdowns -- to RBs this season.
Since Pittsburgh's bye in Week 9, Harris has returned to being more of a safe-floor option with only one blow-up game. What changed? Warren is healthy again and seeing more and more work, especially in the passing game. While Warren is hurting Harris' fantasy value, he himself has only scored 11-plus in one of the past five games. This week, these two backs face the Eagles, who have allowed the eighth-fewest rushing yards and just five rushing touchdowns to backs. All in all, they've given up the fifth-fewest fantasy PPG to the position. I would steer clear of both Pittsburgh RBs, given the matchup and the fact that they're eating of each other's plates.
Last week saw Etienne's best fantasy game since he returned from injury at the outset of November. He scored 11 fantasy points. He has averaged just 7.3 fantasy PPG over the past five. Even last week was not really a step in the right direction, as Etienne got just four carries, compared to 18 for Tank Bigsby. Yes, Etienne received a bit more pass-game work, but honestly, he is purely a name at this point. The usage and fantasy production just are not there on a team struggling to score points. Stay far away.
We were just reminded of how low the floor is for Chubb when he does not score a touchdown. In the loss at Pittsburgh, the veteran back was limited to just 4.8 fantasy points, failing to reach even seven points for the fourth time in his seven games this season. Even worse, he was easily out-snapped by Jerome Ford. This Sunday, Chubb faces the Chiefs, who have allowed the fewest rushing yards and just seven rushing touchdowns to backs. Stay far, far away from Chubb this week.
