The seventh week of the NFL season has now come to an end and everyone in fantasy football who had to endure Christian McCaffrey's bye week is glad he's back in Week 8. While McCaffrey had the week off, there were other running backs who ran their way to notable performances in Week 7.
Of all of the running backs in the NFL, it was two unforeseen names who led the way for running backs in scoring this past week. Chase Edmonds garnered 35 fantasy points while Latavius Murray was able to get 32 points.
Both Edmonds and Murray had big games due to David Johnson and Alvin Kamara being injured. This week, we have quite a few running backs who are in line to do what Edmonds and Murray did in Week 7.
All of the picks in this article are based on PPR (points per reception) scoring and can be used in season-long or DFS (daily fantasy sports) leagues. With that in mind, here are the running backs to start and sit in your lineups in Week 8.
RBs to Start in Week 8
Rams' Todd Gurley (vs. Bengals): Todd Gurley has been disappointing up to this point of the season with his lack of usage in the Los Angeles Rams offense. Gurley has yet to have a game that he's gotten 20 touches in 2019. However, for the people who have been patient with him, his upcoming schedule bodes well for him.
Gurley has a decent chance to have one of his best games of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. The Bengals have allowed 893 yards and 1o total touchdowns to RBs (both the most in the NFL).
Packers' Aaron Jones (vs. Chiefs): The Green Bay Packers seem to be getting into a groove on offense and Aaron Jones is right in the center of it. The Packers running back has gotten more involved as a pass-catcher; catching 21 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown in the past four games.
Jones is currently the fourth highest-scoring running back in fantasy and he's set to have another big-time performance against the Kansas City Chiefs this week. Kansas City's defense has given up 889 yards to RBs (second-most in the NFL).
Steelers' James Conner (vs. Dolphins): Similarly to Gurley, James Conner has yet to live up to the expectations of him being a first or second-round pick in fantasy drafts. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back had his best game of the season with 30.9 fantasy points in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coming out of his bye week, Conner will get an opportunity to run against a hapless Miami Dolphins defense. The Dolphins have surrendered nine total touchdowns to RBs (second-most in the NFL).
Other RBs to Start: Patriots' Sony Michel (vs. Browns), Chiefs' LeSean McCoy (vs. Packers), Raiders' Josh Jacobs (vs. Texans)
RBs to Sit in Week 8
Redskins' Adrian Peterson (vs. Vikings): Adrian Peterson suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran running back had 81 yards on 20 attempts as the Washington Redskins fell to the 49ers 9-0.
Peterson missed Monday's practice but even if he plays in Week 8, he'd be facing his former team—the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have only surrendered one rushing touchdown to RBs (second-best in the NFL).
Broncos' Phillip Lindsay (vs. Colts): The Denver Broncos are struggling offensively and Phillip Lindsay is the only consistent weapon on the roster. Lindsay had his worst game of the season in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The second-year running back scored just 4.2 points and this week he'll draw a talented Indianapolis Colts defense. The Colts have held RBs to just 20.2 fantasy points per game (sixth-best in the NFL).
Cardinals' David Johnson (vs. Saints): One of the biggest disappointments in Week 7 was David Johnson. The Arizona Cardinals' dual-threat back was active despite an injury with a favorable matchup against the New York Giants. Instead of Johnson getting the touches though, Chase Edmonds touched it 29 times for 150 yards and three touchdowns.
Even if Johnson gets back into the driver seat in Week 8 as the starter, he faces a stingy New Orleans Saints defense. The Saints have given up 18.2 fantasy points per game to RBs (fourth-best in the NFL).
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