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Alex breaks down the top 10 running backs from Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season and analyzes the storylines surrounding another big week for RBs.
Even with the Chiefs, Rams, Dolphins, and Vikings all on bye, Week 6 was not short of action. It marked back-to-back weeks that we had a high-scoring affair on Thursday Night Football, and overall, offenses appear to be waking up a bit. Seven teams scored 34+ points this week -- the second-most teams this season (Week 5) -- and three squads scored 41 or more. That includes the Bucs dropping the first 50-bomb of the year on the Saints in New Orleans.
It's genuinely been a week-to-week league this year, as storylines and outcomes have changed rapidly with the surge in injuries and teams sorting themselves out in the early going. However, it's at least inspiring to see offenses on the rise as the season progresses. Fortunately, running back scoring was back up this week, as we saw a slight dip in quarterback scoring (at least at the top) from the week prior.
With the Buffalo Bills set to square off against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday Night Football, Breece Hall and James Cook are the only running backs of note that don't qualify for this list. Additionally, Kyren Williams, Aaron Jones, and De'Von Achane are absent with their teams on bye. Again, some new names are highlighted here, while other mainstays continue their weekly residence. Let's get into the top-ten running backs from Week 6 without further ado.
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Top 10 Running Backs of the Week (Including MNF)
Here are the top 10 running backs from Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season in PPR scoring:
| Rank | Player | Team | Points |
| 1 | Sean Tucker | TB | 34.2 |
| 2 | Joe Mixon | HOU | 27.2 |
| 3 | Bijan Robinson | ATL | 25.5 |
| 4 | Derrick Henry | BAL | 25.2 |
| 5 | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG | 22.7 |
| 6 | D'Andre Swift | CHI | 21.9 |
| 7 | David Montgomery | DET | 21 |
| 8 | Kenneth Walker III | SEA | 20.9 |
| 9 | Najee Harris | PIT | 20.2 |
| 10 | Tyler Allgeier | ATL | 19.8 |
1. Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With running back Rachaad White (foot) listed as an inactive on Sunday, second-year back Sean Tucker was afforded increased usage. Tucker shined with his enhanced opportunity, leaving his mark on a blowout 51-27 decimation of the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome. The Syracuse product racked up an impressive 192 total yards and two touchdowns on 17 touches, including converting all three of his targets for 56 yards.
The first TD for @seantucker2020 🙌
📺: #TBvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/yK7Dl8ADPI
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 13, 2024
Aside from being the Bucs' second-leading receiver on the day, the Saints had no answer for Tucker on the ground. The 22-year-old did not receive his first touch until late in the second quarter but immediately took a swing pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield 36 yards to the house, weaving through New Orleans' D. He also ripped off a 36-yard gain on the ground and took 7-of-14 carries for 8+ yards.
Running mate Bucky Irving also saw 14 carries and was efficient with his work (81 yards), but Tucker was the story on this day.
White's injury status for next week is unknown, but with the team's Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens slated for Monday Night Football, he'll be afforded an extra day of rest. If he can't play, Tucker's outstanding outing probably earned him a greater share of the workload in his absence. If White is out, Irving still projects to lead the duo, but Tucker's performance can't be ignored.
2. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Joe Mixon was highly effective in his return to the lineup from an ankle injury that robbed him of playing time since Week 2. He handled just 13 carries in the Texans' 41-21 victory over the New England Patriots but looked no worse for wear -- totaling 102 yards and a score (7.85 YPC). Mixon added another touchdown and 30 yards through the air on 2-of-3 receiving, putting any doubts about his ankle to rest.
The 28-year-old was a welcome sight in Houston's first game with the absence of wide receiver Nico Collins and helped supplement on offense, giving the Texans' ground attack a much-needed boost. No Houston back had racked up more than 53 yards since his exit in Week 2.
Mixon and the Texans will square off against the Green Bay Packers in a road tilt in Week 7. It will be a slightly tougher outing than he had in Week 6, but the former second-round pick should still be considered a fringe RB1.
3. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
While Bijan Robinson hadn't exactly been an outright bust through the first five weeks, fantasy managers were likely still disappointed with his production -- or lack thereof. Fortunately, the former Longhorn had his best outing of the season on Sunday in a get-right matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Robinson rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns on his 15 carries (6.3 YPC) in the 38-20 win over the Panthers and hauled in 3-of-4 targets for ten yards through the air. The touchdowns were his first since Week 3, and he amassed 100+ total yards for the third time in six contests.
.@Bijan5Robinson knows one speed 😤
FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/5vE4GSJRm3
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 13, 2024
It was an excellent bounce-back performance for the 22-year-old, who is now the overall RB6 in PPR formats. With quarterback Kirk Cousins playing better over the last few weeks, this offense should continue to improve in effectiveness and efficiency as the season wanes on.
They'll square off against a Seattle Seahawks squad next Sunday that's sure to be hungry after dropping its third-straight game in Week 6. The former first-round pick will be a high-end RB1 play for the affair, as Seattle's D has allowed the fifth-most rush yards and second-most yards per carry to opposing offenses.
4. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Death, taxes, and Derrick Henry scoring a touchdown -- the inevitable things in life. It was another effective outing for Henry, who rushed 24 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders. He was not targeted in the passing game and averaged 5.5 YPC with a long gain of 27 on the day.
Henry has recorded three games of 130+ rushing yards and scored at least one touchdown each time out -- notching a league-leading 11 touchdowns through six weeks of action. It's been an incredible start to the season for the 30-year-old, as he now also leads the NFL in rushing with 704 yards.
Baltimore will be lined up for what's projected to be a high-scoring affair in Week 7 when they hit the road to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Henry will again be an elite RB1 play for the matchup.
5. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
The Giants fell to 2-4 with their 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. Their defense played well and got to quarterback Joe Burrow on four separate occasions, but for the second week in a row, rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. was the story of the game on offense with New York down Devin Singletary (groin) and sensational first-year wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion).
The 24-year-old lacked efficiency on the ground, totaling just 50 yards and a touchdown on his 17 carries (2.98 YPC), but was heavily involved through the air, reeling in all six of his targets for 57 yards. It marks back-to-back weeks that the former Purdue Boilermaker has eclipsed 100 total yards, and the touchdown was the first of his rookie campaign.
With Singletary's return looming, the question remains regarding the rookie's role when that becomes the case. Still, due to his effectiveness in the veteran's absence, it wouldn't be surprising to see the former wide-out turned running back see an increased role. Tracy and the Giants will take on a more stout run defense their next time out in a divisional matchup in Week 7 when they host the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.
6. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has turned it around in a big way over the last three weeks, leading Chicago to a 4-2 record, and running back D'Andre Swift continues to benefit from Williams' significantly improved play.
Swift turned in his third-straight 20+ fantasy-point performance and third-straight game with a score on the ground. The fifth-year back hit the 20-touch mark again and rushed for an efficient 5.35 yards on his 17 carries (91 yards). Additionally, he pulled in all four of his targets for 28 yards through the air.
After a tumultuous start to the year in which it seemed like he might be a wasted pick, the 25-year-old has worked his way into the tier of must-start options. Chicago will get a bye in Week 7, but return for a juicy road matchup in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. He'll be in high-end RB2 consideration for the contest between the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.
7. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
David Montgomery continued his stellar start to the campaign in the team's 47-9 dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys. He rushed for two scores and an efficient 80 yards on his 12 carries and gained no additional yards on his sole catch. The touchdowns give him six on the year now, and they were from one yard and 16 yards out.
David Montgomery stays on his feet for the TD! 🔥
📺: #DETvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/GaSgaYdTxz— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
Aside from the Ravens' Derrick Henry and the Rams' Kyren Williams, Montgomery is the only other running back to score at least once in each of their outings. It was thought that backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs would seize control of the majority of the work this season and have a true breakout year. However, the two have a near-dead-even split regarding touches and production, with the veteran leading the second-year back 6-to-4 in the touchdown department.
The Lions' RB duo can continue to be started as strong, top-15 weekly plays -- even in a divisional matchup against a stingy Vikings run defense.
8. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III had a rough time on the ground in Seattle's 36-24 loss to the 49ers on Thursday Night Football but was involved enough through the air to save his fantasy day. Walker averaged an abysmal 2.29 yards over his 14 rushes (32 yards) and scored a touchdown, while his 37 yards and eight receptions on eight targets helped supplement his overall line.
It's the second week in a row that the 23-year-old has averaged less than 4.0 YPC, but he's amassed 15 receptions over the two outings and 19 in the three games since returning from injury. Walker was always an excellent runner, but the uptick in passing work greatly boosts his fantasy floor and ceiling.
Backfield mate Zach Charbonnet hit the 4.0 YPC mark on his five rushes but saw just six touches in the game to the Michigan State alum's 22. Seattle will line up against a sieve-like Falcons defense next Sunday in Week 7 and Walker will again be a strong play in the matchup.
9. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
I had been waiting for Najee Harris to have his breakout game, which finally came to fruition in Week 6. Teammate Jaylen Warren was active for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 3, but it was all Harris in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The hulking 26-year-old churned out 106 yards and a touchdown on his 14 carries and hauled in both of his targets for an additional 18 receiving yards. It was his first touchdown of the season, and the Alabama product had multiple, massive individual efforts on the day, highlighting his strength and tackle-breaking ability. His touchdown was a 36-yard scamper and the fourth-year back ripped off chunk gains of 26, 15, 13, and 11 yards throughout the matchup.
Najee will get a stout challenge in Week 7 when his team lines up against the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. Still, he's an integral part of a Steelers offense that runs the ball at the second-highest rate in the NFL (52.9%) and projects to get a good amount of work again. He's had at least 16 touches in each game this season.
10. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Despite his teammate Bijan Robinson having a day of his own on the ground, there was enough work to go around in the Falcons backfield to produce two top-ten outputs in Week 6. Just one week after quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted 58 passes on Thursday Night Football, Atlanta rushed the ball 34 times compared to just 30 throws, and both backs showed out.
Allgeier saw more work than Robinson in this one, toting the rock 18 times while racking up 105 yards and a touchdown, adding three yards on his only target. It's the third time this season that he's out-gained Robinson on the ground, and the second time he's out-carried his counterpart.
Angry run (noun)
FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/CYlmr5tDJx
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 13, 2024
Robinson is in no danger of losing his starting gig. However, this outing is a testament to the fact that Allgeier is still an effective runner and will be a solid producer for the team, albeit a bit inconsistent regarding volume. It's possible the 24-year-old returns some low-end RB3 output more often than not and would receive a significant boost in value if Robinson were forced to miss time as the handcuff to own in Atlanta.
He and the Falcons get a juicy matchup in Week 7 when they square off against the Seattle Seahawks.
Thanks for reading, and best of luck in all your matchups in Week 7!
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