Everyone runs well against the Panthers. They allowed the most
fantasy points to RBs in 2024 (30.2 FPts/G) and began the 2025
campaign by yielding 143 rushing yards to Travis Etienne in Week
1. They made Etienne look so good, the Jaguars traded their backup,
Tank Bigsby, to the Eagles mid-week. Don’t be scared of
the shared workload with Trey Benson, there is plenty of opportunity
for both of them to thrive this week.
The Bears gave up a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns to RBs
last season and that's a Montgomery specialty. He scored 13 times
in 2023 and 12 times last season. It's very tough to throw against
Chicago so most teams choose to run the ball. Both Jahmyr Gibbs
and Montgomery should be viable in Week 2.
Derrick Henry ran roughshod over the Bills run defense and while
Hall certainly isn't Henry, he showed last week he's certainly
capable and still "owns" the Jets backfield workload. The only
fear is Justin Field pilfering short touchdown runs from the running
back room, but Hall show his old explosiveness last Sunday against
Pittsburgh.
I know we all love what Irving can do as a runner and pass receiver,
but the Texans are one of the best against opposing running backs.
In 2024 they ranked third overall, allowing just 18.7 FPts/G and
just eight rushing touchdowns in 17 games, eighth in receiving
yardage and just two receiving touchdowns. In Week 1 Kyren Williams
averaged just 3.7 ypc.
The Chargers shut down the Chiefs run game in Week 1 allowing
41 rushing yards and 53 combined yards. That wasn't a fluke.
In 2024, they ranked sixth in fewest fantasy points allowed to
opposing running backs. Jeanty's debut was saved by a touchdown
run as he produced just 38 yards on 18 carries. He's not
going to "get healthy" here.
No, I do not expect you to sit a 2,000-yard running back. But
the Chiefs showed in the last Super Bowl that DC Steve Spagnuolo
has no intention of letting Barkley run wild. They will employ
the same defense and force Jalen Hurts to beat them with his arm.
Barkley was 25-57-0 on the ground in SB LIX. Kansas City held
Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris to 53 rushing yards in Week 1.
