Which running backs have the most favorable fantasy matchups? Which backs should you consider sitting?
Here's a breakdown of five notable running backs featured in Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon and Matthew Freedman's Week 11 fantasy football rankings.
The No. 1 RB
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
Gurley checks in as the unanimous top running back once again, but this time in a historically high-total home matchup against the Chiefs. Kansas City has been abysmal on run defense, allowing 5.1 yards per attempt and 121.7 rushing yards per game this season.
Gurley has some of the best touchdown equity in the league as he leads the Rams with 51% of their red-zone opportunities and 25.5% of their red-zone target share.
The Most Favorable Matchups
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Over the past six weeks, Zeke's 24.0 touches per game leads the league. Now he gets a plus draw against a Falcons defense that ranks 30th in Pro Football Focus' run defense grades.
His 5.3 targets per game is the second-highest mark on the Cowboys, and no other team is allowing more receptions or receiving yards per game (64.33) to opposing running backs than the Falcons are, per Sports Info Solutions.
David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Since Byron Leftwich took over as the Cardinals' play-caller, Johnson has seen 20 and 28 touches over the past two weeks, along with four and nine targets.
This week's matchup against the Raiders doesn't get much better for Johnson as Oakland ranks 26th in PFF's run-defense grades while allowing 141.0 rushing yards per game on the ground.
Johnson checks in with an average rank of 6.7 among our rankers in PPR formats.
Matchup Downgrades
Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings head to Chicago with a weak implied team total of 21.5 points. Even worse is their 22nd-ranked run-blocking offensive line (per PFF) could struggle against a Bears defense that ranks as PFF's No. 1 run defense unit.
Overall, the Bears have allowed only two rushing touchdowns this season while allowing only 3.6 yards per attempt and 84.0 rushing yards per game.
Cook has an average rank of 19.0 in PPR formats, while Murray has a weak average rank of 36.0 for Week 11.
Eagles RBs
The Eagles head to New Orleans as 9-point underdogs as of writing (see live odds here) where they'll face the Saints' No. 6-ranked run defense unit.
Since the Eagles are large road underdogs against a pass funnel defense, it's reasonable to expect the Eagles to take it to the air with their exceptional pass-catchers: Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Golden Tate and Zach Ertz.
None of Philadelphia's running backs rank inside our rankers' top 30 across PPR, standard and half-point PPR formats.
Want another edge? Be sure to keep up with the week's news on FantasyLabs.
