Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR rating system in fantasy football. This column will not cover elite NFL players like Josh Allen, Bijan Robinson or Ja’Marr Chase. Instead, I will look at players who might exceed or fall short of expectations at each position. For all your final Fantasy roster decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings, which will be updated daily throughout the 2025 NFL season.
1. Bijan Robinson vs. Bills (Monday)
2. Christian McCaffrey at Buccaneers
3. Jahmyr Gibbs with the Chiefs
4. Jonathan Taylor vs. Cardinals
5. Josh Jacobs vs. the Bengals
6. De’Von Achane vs. the Chargers
7. James Cook at Falcons (Monday)
8. Saquon Barkley at Giants (Thursday)
9. Kyren Williams with the Ravens
10. Javonte Williams with the Panthers
Complete the Week 6 running back rankings
Bye : Texans, Vikings
Start of the week
Quinshon Judkins at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Judkins is the leader in Cleveland, as he has seen his touch share that of an elite-level runner. He was also matchup-proof, putting up solid totals against good defenses like the Packers, Lions and Vikings. Keep him in your lineups against the Steelers, who have allowed three running backs to beat them for more than 16 points in four games.
Start them
Rico Dowdle vs. Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Dowdle went crazy last week, throwing for 206 yards with a touchdown and scoring 32.4 points. He also saw an insane 51 percent contact share out of the backfield. So if the Panthers are without Chuba Hubbard again, Dowdle is a great option in a revenge game against the Cowboys. Three running backs have had more than 17 points against them this season.
JK Dobbins at Jets (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): Dobbins has been phenomenal for the Broncos and Fantasy fans, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and scoring more than 14 points in four of his first five games. He should continue that success in London against a poor Jets defense that gave up over 17 fantasy points to three running backs, including two who scored over 26 points.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. Bears (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC): Is it finally time for Bill? He got the start and led Commanders running backs in snaps and touches last week, and found the end zone twice as a result. I’d throw it against the Bears, who gave up more than 12 points to five running backs, including three who had more than 15 points. They also allowed 6.1 yards per carry.
Tony Pollard at Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Pollard had a solid game in Week 4, scoring a touchdown and 14.8 fantasy points in a wild win over the Cardinals. He also averaged a season-high 4.8 yards per carry, which is clearly a positive. Next up is a favorable matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed a combined 47.6 fantasy points to Jonathan Taylor and D’Andre Swift in their last two games.
More departures
• Javonte Williams at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Rhamondre Stevenson at Saints (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• David Montgomery at Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Session of the week
Alvin Kamara vs. Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS): It’s very difficult to sit a player like Kamara, but I would temper my expectations. He’s averaging a modest 3.9 yards per carry and 11.4 fantasy points this season, and he’s lost touches to Kendre Miller in recent weeks. I also don’t like his matchup against the Patriots, who just limited fantasy superstar James Cook to just 4.9 PPR points in Week 5.
Sit them down
Derrick Henry vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Much like Kamara, Henry is very difficult to sit in most leagues. Since scoring 29.2 points in Week 1, the King has scored a combined 30.1 in his last four games, during which he has averaged just a paltry 3.2 yards per carry. He also faces a Rams defense that has allowed the fewest points per game to running backs on runs alone, so I would be wary of Henry.
Chase Brown at Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Brown’s value took a hit early in the season, as did most of the Bengals players in Joe Burrow’s absence. And while it’s tough to sit him, I’d be wary of this week’s game against the Packers. Their defense allowed just 3.7 yards per carry, and it held all but two backs to 25 rushing yards or fewer in their first four games of 2025.
Jaylen Warren vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Warren has been consistent for Fantasy fans, scoring over 13 points in each of his first three games. Barring a setback, he should be back from a knee injury in time to play in Cleveland. The game was bad, however, as the Browns defense held all but one running back to 13.1 points or less, and only one passed for more than 18 yards as a receiver.
Isiah Pacheco vs. Lions (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Pacheco had another modest stat line last week, scoring 8.6 fantasy points in 10 touches. He also continues to lose work to Kareem Hunt, including those always-important goal-line runs. Pacheco also has a tough game next on the schedule, facing a Lions defense that has allowed the seventh fewest fantasy points to opposing rushers this season.
More seats
• RJ Harvey at Jets (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
• Kenneth Gainwell vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Kareem Hunt vs. Lions (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
