The Best NFL Running Backs for Week 9
Nick Chubb has been the best running back in the NFL this season. He leads the league with 841 yards rushing, and his 10 rushing touchdowns is three more than anyone else. But if you’re looking to ride with a top back in Daily Fantasy Football, or you love putting money down on running back prop bets, Chubb is off the table in Week 9. He’s on a bye. And so is Saquon Barkley.
According to the matchup stats, as tabulated by Cold, Hard Football Facts, these are the backs that are your next best bet.
Derrick Henry vs. Kansas City
Kansas City has actually been quite good against the run this NFL season. They rank eighth in Defensive Hog Index and second in Defensive Rusher Rating. But Henry has been on such a tear since a slower start to the season, that rolling with King Henry is a good play, no matter how good the defense.
Henry has four straight 100-yard games, and last week he ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns for the fourth consecutive time when playing the Houston Texans. With a struggling passing game, especially with the uncertain health of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Henry is going to continue to get the ball early and often. He’s averaged 30 carries a game over the last three weeks.
Raheem Mostert vs. Chicago
Last week against the Lions, Raheem Mostert was sharing carries with Chase Edmonds. Edmonds has since been traded to Denver, and until newly acquired Jeff Wilson gets up to speed, Mostert is the guy for the Dolphins.
Not only has Mostert averaged 4.9 yards per carry since NFL Week 4, Cold, Hard Football Facts ranks the Bears 31st in Defensive Rusher Rating. And that was with Roquan Smith having a great season at linebacker. Without Smith, who is now in Baltimore, the Bears defense will be even worse against the run.
It’s a perfect storm for Mostert – an uptick in carries because of recent trades, and a much weaker opponent because of recent trades.
Josh Jacobs vs. Jacksonville
Even as the Raiders failed to score last week, and didn’t make it to the Saints side of the field until their final drive, Josh Jacobs was okay. He averaged 4.3 yards on 10 carries and caught two of his four targets. But when the Raiders offense was rolling in each of their three previous NFL games, it was because they consistently gave the ball to Jacobs. He went for 144, 154, and 143 in those three games, and the Raiders averaged 33 points.
Considering the egg they laid last week; the cure is to get back to the basics. Run Jacobs, and run him some more. And as it turns out, the Jaguars are not at all good at stopping the run. Cold, Hard Football Facts ranks them 25th in Defensive Rusher Rating. In Jacksonville’s current five-game NFL losing streak, they have given up an average of 141.6 yards rushing per game, and that includes allowing only 45 to the Colts.
The Raiders are angry, Josh Jacobs is having a great season, and the Jaguars defense is about to pay the price.
