As Week 8 of the NFL season approaches, fantasy football managers are keenly observing running back (RB) committees that could dictate their success. With several teams employing a rotational strategy, here’s a look at some notable RB committees to watch this week.
Key RB Committees to Monitor in Week 8
Cardinals RB Committee
The Arizona Cardinals have struggled as injuries sidelined their leading running backs James Conner and Trey Benson. Stepping into the spotlight, Bam Knight emerged as the primary back in recent weeks. In Week 7, Knight dominated the snaps with 51%, amassing 57 rushing yards on 14 carries. Michael Carter lagged behind, mustering just 11 yards on seven carries. As the Cardinals head into their bye week, Knight looks to maintain his role, particularly with Benson’s return timeline uncertain.
Giants RB Committee
The New York Giants are working with a two-back system featuring Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. In Week 7, Skattebo played 60% of snaps, finishing with 60 rushing yards and impressively catching three passes for 34 yards. Despite Tracy’s flash of brilliance with a 31-yard touchdown run, he only managed nine rushing yards overall. Skattebo remains the lead back, especially heading into a challenging matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles this week.
Bears RB Committee
Chicago’s backfield has turned into a committee with D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai sharing the workload. Swift had a breakout performance in Week 7, rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown. Monangai also found success, scoring his first NFL touchdown. Both players are in play for the coming weeks, especially with favorable matchups against the Ravens and Bengals ahead.
Patriots RB Committee
The New England Patriots have found their rhythm behind quarterback Drake Maye. In a Week 7 victory over the Titans, Rhamondre Stevenson dominated with 75% of snaps, rushing for 88 yards and scoring a touchdown. TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings saw minimal involvement, making Stevenson a strong RB2 option. This week, the Patriots face the Browns, which could present a challenging matchup.
Titans RB Committee
The Tennessee Titans have also utilized a shared backfield between Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. In recent games, the snap distribution has been relatively equal, although Pollard tends to edge out Spears with slightly better overall stats. Both players are still searching for consistent production, with Pollard managing to find the end zone more regularly than Spears.
Chiefs RB Committee
In Kansas City, Isiah Pacheco has taken the lead in the running back hierarchy. He played a significant role in a recent dominating win, carrying the ball 15 times for 57 yards. Kareem Hunt’s role appears to be diminishing as Pacheco remains the primary option. Additionally, rookie Brashard Smith is carving out a niche as a receiving option, making him a potential asset in fantasy lineups.
Panthers RB Committee
The Carolina Panthers are gaining momentum with back-to-back victories. The RB committee features Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, who shared carries evenly in Week 7. Dowdle has put up impressive numbers in previous weeks, while Hubbard is gradually working his way back from injury. Both running backs hold flex potential, especially as they face the Bills in the upcoming match.
As the season progresses, monitoring these committees will be crucial for making informed roster decisions. Fantasy managers should stay alert to shifts in playing time and production, particularly as teams deal with injuries and matchups in the upcoming weeks.
