Fantasy Football Week 8: Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Running Backs

Ravens running back Justin Forsett has a favorable matchup vs. the Chargers in Week 8. (Getty)

Before we get to the Week 8 running back start and sit recommendations, let’s take a look at few rushing stats which should help you when filling out your lineup:

— The Jets, Steelers and Bears have allowed only 2 rushing touchdowns
— The Falcons and Lions have allowed 10 rushing TDs
— The Jets allow 71.4 yards per game (fewest in the NFL)
— The Browns allow 151.0 yards per game (the worst)
— The Jets allow the fewest yards per carry at 3.4
— The Chargers give up the most at 5.3 yards per carry
— The longest run allowed by the Buccaneers is 21 yards (best in the NFL)
— The Texans have given up an 85-yard run (the longest of the season)
— The Jets, Vikings, Raiders and Seahawks have allowed only 1 rush over 20 yards
— The Chargers have allowed 11 rushes of 20+ yards
— The Browns have allowed 4 rushes of 40+ yards

Click here to see all the NFL’s defensive rushing stats.

Remember to bookmark our fantasy football rankings 2015 page to keep up-to-date on the latest projections and rankings for each NFL week throughout the season. All of my Week 8 rankings are up.

Here’s our version of start and sit: “He Will Shine” and “Show Him the Pine.”

He Will Shine

Justin Forsett, Ravens, vs. Chargers

Running backs have been bolting all over the field vs. the Chargers, who give up a league-worst 5.3 yards per carry. Forsett was held to 36 yards vs. the Cardinals in Week 7 … that’s not happening Sunday. Play him with extreme confidence.

Alfred Blue, Texans, vs. Titans

Blue will get the first crack at carries now that Arian Foster is done for the season. Blue’s last significant action came in Week 3 when he burned the Bucs for 139 yards and a touchdown. While he’s certainly a risk with Jonathan Grimes and Chris Polk ready to roll, the Titans are allowing 129 yards per game, third worst in the NFL. Give Blue the green light. If he gets off to a red-hot start, he’ll stay on the field.

Jonathan Stewart, Panthers, vs. Colts

Stewart has put together two-straight solid games, with 20+ carries in each. The Colts enter the contest allowing 122.7 rush yards per game, so expect Stewart to be a featured part of the Panthers’ offensive attack once again. And Indy’s 8 rush TDs allowed is tied for second worst in the league.

Also start:

Chris Johnson, Cardinals, at Browns
Charcandrick West, Chiefs, vs. Lions (in London)

Show Him the Pine

Latavius Murray, Raiders, vs. Jets

The Jets are allowing a league-low 71.5 rush yards per game and are top at 3.4 yards per carry. Those numbers were helped by the Pats running just 9 times last weekend, but still, the Jets are as tough as they come up front. And for some reason, Murray hasn’t topped 15 carries in any of the past 3 games.

Eddie Lacy, Packers, at Broncos

Lacy has been one of the biggest, if not the biggest, fantasy disappointment of them all. He had a solid Week 1, then, POOF, he’s gone. Why is this happening? Lately, Lacy has been catching some heat about his weight. He’s not tiny. Whatever the issue is, he’s not producing. And the Broncos aren’t a team you snap out of a slump against — they allow just 89 rush yards per game (4th-best).

C.J. Anderson, Broncos, vs. Packers

On the other side of the field from Lacy on Sunday will be Anderson, another colossal bust. The popular first-round fantasy pick says his early-season struggles were partly due to injuries. Oh, well. While the Packers give up 115 yards per game, it’s going to be Ronnie Hillman who gets the first crack. Hillman has clearly outplayed Anderson, who will get only a few touches vs. Green Bay if Hillman can produce.

Also sit:

Ameer Abdullah, Lions, at Chiefs (in London)

Fantasy Football Week 8: Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em Running Backs