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Two capable running backs -- a head coach's dream, but a fantasy manager's nightmare.
Throughout training camp, the fantasy community attempted to deduce which running backs would emerge from several crowded backfields. Sometimes, the answer isn't revealed until Week 1. Other times, we still don't have a clear picture following the first round of games.
Below, you'll find an analysis of how some backfields look after Week 1. Who, if anyone, emerged as a team's clear top running back?
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Cincinnati Bengals
Players: Zack Moss, Chase Brown
For the third straight season, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense struggled out of the gate. Through 167 passing yards, 10 points, and a hampered receiving corps, Zack Moss rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown on just nine attempts. Considering the Bengals ran 48 plays in the ballgame, 11 touches is a healthy amount.
Moss played 10 of Cincinnati's 11 third down snaps (according to Tru Media), a role initially believed to belong to Chase Brown. The second-year back was on the field for about a third of the snaps and caught as many passes (three) as rush attempts.
#Bengals Week 1 RB Usage
- Zack Moss: 65% snaps, 9 carries, 13 routes, 4 targets (61 yds, TD)
- Chase Brown: 33% snaps, 3 carries, 12 routes, 3 targets (23 routes)Moss had more pass game work, goal line work. He is the RB to start in this backfield
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 8, 2024
Like other teams below (Dallas, Tennessee), coaches hyped the backfield as a true tandem effort. After one week, it's Moss' backfield and Brown is the handcuff. Moss has difficulties staying healthy (he's never played a full 16 or 17-game season), so there's no rush to cut ties with Brown.
The Bengals travel to Arrowhead for a tilt against a tough Kansas City defense in Week 2. Don't expect the offense to improve much, making Moss a risky play even with the bulk of the touches.
Dallas Cowboys
Players: Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle
This may be what we classify as a good Ezekiel Elliott game. In his return to Dallas, the former All-Pro rushed 10 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for nine yards. An average average with a short touchdown plunge. That's the dream at this point in Elliott's career.
ZEKE SCORING TDs FOR THE COWBOYS.
📺: #DALvsCLE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/CHYqTpZfPa— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Zeke more or less alternated series with Rico Dowdle. The latter took eight carries for 26 yards and caught one pass for six yards. Deuce Vaughn saw just one carry.
This game was a confirmation of what was reported throughout training camp. Elliott and Dowdle are in a timeshare, with the longtime Cowboy appearing to have a slight lead for opportunities.
The Browns have a good rush defense and the Cowboys jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. A different game script may give us more insight into how these running backs will be deployed. Until then, Elliott is a non-PPR flex and Dowdle is bench depth.
Denver Broncos
Players: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime
The prize for the most frustrating backfield of Week 1 goes to...the Denver Broncos! *boos*
After the preseason, Javonte Williams seemed like the running back to have on your roster in Denver. Not only would he cover running downs, but he's a capable receiver out of the backfield. Jaleel McLaughlin would sprinkle in on passing downs and Audric Estime would be a distant third in the pecking order.
Williams rushed seven times in the first half and caught his lone target in the final minutes of the second quarter. He recorded one carry (for zero yards) in the entire second half. It's difficult to blame it on the game script. The Broncos were ahead at halftime and were down only one score until the opening moments of the fourth quarter.
Coaches may have been frustrated with his 2.9 yards per carry and searched for an offensive spark. Then again, McLaughlin averaged 2.7 yards per carry on his 10 attempts. He also caught five passes, somehow for only one total yard. Audric Estime ran twice for 14 yards.
Broncos RB rushing stats:
Jaleel McLaughlin: 27 yards on 10 carries
Javonte Williams: 23 yards on 8 carries
Audric Estime: 14 yards on 2 carries
Sean Payton: "It's going to be hard to (play) quarterback period if that's the best we can do running the ball."
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 9, 2024
Despite the opportunity imbalance, Williams was on the field more and played more third-down snaps than his younger counterparts. He's still the best Denver running back, but this offense may hold all runners back.
While throwing short benefits fantasy running backs, Bo Nix's 3.3 yards per pass attempt won't lead to many scoring chances. That's why the Broncos didn't score a touchdown until the game's outcome was essentially settled.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Players: Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby
The coaches warned us. They wanted to keep Travis Etienne Jr. fresh by limiting his touches. We didn't believe them because Tank Bigsby was a disaster in his rookie season and remained the direct backup.
Bigbsy matched Etienne's carry total (12 apiece) and outpaced him in efficiency. Etienne logged 45 yards (3.7 yards per carry). Bigbsy hit 73 yards (6.1 yards per carry) Bigbsy was better in yards after contact and rushing yards over expected.
However, the starter caught two passes to Bigsby's zero and scored the team's lone rushing touchdown. Etienne was on the field for 68% of the snaps compared to 34% for Bigsby. Etienne played nine of Jacksonville's 10 third downs and received the only carry inside the 10-yard line. He fumbled another one into the endzone from just outside the 10.
GOAL LINE FUMBLE. @MiamiDolphins take over!
📺: #JAXvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Y505P5cVKn— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Jacksonville also found themselves in an odd game script on Sunday. Playing with a lead for most of the game and attempting to keep the quick-strike Miami offense on the sideline, the Jaguars' coaching staff called 26 run plays. Trevor Lawrence only threw 21 passes.
Bigsby entrenched himself as an insurance running back, should Etienne suffer an injury. Otherwise, Etienne is still the guy in the Jacksonville backfield.
Las Vegas Raiders
Players: Zamir White, Alexander Mattison
Whose hand is the hottest? In Week 1, it was Alexander Mattison. That doesn't mean he'll be the leader of the backfield.
#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce on Alexander Mattison:
“I thought he did a heck of a job. Every time he went in there, made plays. Really good job, also, in pass protection for us.”
on whether he’ll will ride the hot hand:
“We’ve got to” pic.twitter.com/EtAKNP7piX
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) September 9, 2024
Zamir White got the first four running back touches for the Raiders. Mattison entered the game late in the first quarter and scored on a 31-yard catch-and-run. From there, the snap counts tipped in his favor. Per Pro Football Focus, Mattison played 36 snaps to White's 23.
A running back on Las Vegas is only good for fantasy football if there is a clear bellcow. They figured to be a low-powered offense and did not snap the ball within the 10-yard line against the Chargers. Touchdowns will be few and far between. If it's a guessing game whether Mattison or White will get the opportunities, then neither are safe starts.
Los Angeles Chargers
Players: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards
Is there anyone out there not rooting for J.K. Dobbins? Cast aside by Baltimore after three straight injury-riddled seasons, Dobbins is looking to reinvent his career in Los Angeles. He's off to a good start.
J.K. DOBBINS 46 YARDS!
📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/TAO6tSqpQ1— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Dobbins broke off runs of 46 and 61 yards en route to 135 yards on 10 carries (13.5 yards per carry). Gus Edwards, who started the game, tallied 26 yards on 11 carries (2.4 yards per carry). Edwards is 29 years old and looks like it. Dobbins doesn't look like a running back one year removed from a torn Achilles.
The high-value touches are in Dobbins' favor too. He was on the field for 13 of Los Angeles' 14 third-down snaps and played all of the snaps within the 1o-yard line. While his receiving yardage (four) isn't anything to write home about, three receptions are great for a man whose career-high mark is 18 catches.
Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman-led teams will have success on the ground. If Dobbins can remain healthy, he could be the steal of 2024 fantasy drafts.
Tennessee Titans
Players: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Throughout the offseason, the new Tennessee Titans coaching staff stated that they viewed Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears as a 1A/1B situation. The offensive coordinator confirmed an even workload in the practices leading into the season opener.
Titans OC Nick Holz when asked about Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears workload split:
"We still think 50/50."
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 5, 2024
That didn't happen. Pollard was, by all accounts, the clear RB1. The former Cowboy took 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. Pollard and Spears earned four targets apiece with Spears running one more route (15 to 14). Pollard totaled 92 yards compared to Spears' 32.
Spears was on the field for 13 of Tennessee's 14 third-down snaps. Pollard was the early downs back and Spears' name was called for passing downs. The roles could not have been more clear.
Just when we thought we had the answers, head coach Brian Callahan is making it murky again. He said on Monday that the distribution of touches between the duo wasn't where the team wanted it to be. He pointed to a lack of offensive success in the second half from getting the ball in Spears' hands more.
That could continue to be a problem. Caleb Williams threw for 92 yards and somehow looked like a better quarterback than Will Levis. The confidence in the Tennessee offense is low and the matchups don't get better with a Week 2 date with the New York Jets.
Pollard is an RB2/Flex candidate moving forward. Spears is bench depth until the coaching staff walks the walk.
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