Fantasy Football: Recapping running back touches for key backfield splits in Week 5
We’re back for another look at some of the key backfield splits, reviewing running back fantasy football performances from Week 5.
We had some rough football in the early window with a few blowouts, but surprisingly, the biggest RB performance of the season—and perhaps the most exciting game overall—came in Carolina. The Panthers shocked the Dolphins in a thrilling contest. Below, we’ll break down how RB touches shook out for some key teams and what it means for fantasy football moving forward.
### Carolina Panthers
Down 17-10 at halftime and trailing 24-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Panthers mounted a comeback to secure their second win of the season, 27-24. Carolina was without starting running back Chuba Hubbard due to a calf injury, which meant it was the “Rico Dowdle Week.”
If you were playing Dowdle, our condolences—he absolutely went off against a weak Dolphins defense, recording the first 200-yard rushing performance of the season. Dowdle finished with 26 touches (including three catches), totaling 206 rushing yards and 28 yards receiving. He narrowly edged Jonathan Taylor for the top RB fantasy score in the early window, posting 30.9 points. That score has a strong chance of holding up as the RB1 overall for the week.
Trevor Etienne also saw some action with four carries for 22 yards. Rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. was involved with four touches as well. However, this game was clearly Dowdle’s backfield to own with Hubbard sidelined.
Prior to his injury, Hubbard was getting the bulk of carries but was only averaging 4.1 yards per attempt, with a noticeable lack of explosive plays. If Hubbard remains out, Dowdle is a very solid RB2 with upside to be an RB1 in all fantasy formats. Should Hubbard return, you can expect a more traditional split backfield after Dowdle’s dominant performance in Miami. Dowdle proved he knows what it takes to be a lead back from his time last season in Dallas.
Calf injuries can be tricky for running backs, so if Dowdle is still available on your waiver wire, run—don’t walk—to grab him.
### Houston Texans
The fantasy gods can be cruel. One week they seem to hand us a gift in Woody Marks, and the next, they take it away.
In Week 5, the Texans routed a depleted Ravens squad that was without Lamar Jackson. The game was a messy one, but C. J. Stroud looked like a fantasy star again with four passing touchdowns. However, the backfield story took a surprising turn.
Rather than leaning further into Marks as expected, the Texans favored veteran Nick Chubb. The 29-year-old led the backfield workload with 11 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown. Marks contributed seven carries for just 24 yards. Neither back recorded any catches, each only having one target.
Chubb finished with 12.1 fantasy points while Marks managed just 2.4. We also saw garbage-time touches for Dameon Pierce, who had seven carries. A few wide receivers even received carries, and British Brooks (yes, Brooks) got a couple of touches as well.
It’s tough to draw firm conclusions from a blowout game like this, so don’t panic just yet about Marks’ role. Clearly, however, he hasn’t overtaken Chubb in the backfield as many anticipated after last week.
From a football perspective, it makes sense for Houston to keep feeding Chubb, even if it’s frustrating from a fantasy standpoint. Marks still has value, especially with an injury to one of the lead backs, giving him potential RB2/FLEX upside.
For now, both Chubb and Marks are volatile FLEX options. The Texans will be on a Week 6 bye.
### New Orleans Saints
This week felt different for Kendre Miller. After a trendy waiver wire pickup following his 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown against the Bills, Miller was again trusted with double-digit carries in Week 5 against the Giants.
He finished with 10 carries for 41 yards and no touchdowns, adding one catch for eight yards. Meanwhile, veteran Alvin Kamara was less effective on the ground with eight carries for just 27 yards (3.4 yards per carry). Kamara still featured in the passing game, catching four passes on six targets for 28 yards, though the production was modest.
Right now, Miller looks like the more impactful back on the ground. This likely means we’ll see continued splitting of rushing attempts, with Kamara maintaining his usual receiving workload.
Kamara’s age is starting to show, and there’s ongoing speculation he could be traded before the deadline since the Saints are not expected to be playoff contenders this season.
Miller remains under-rostered at just 31% on Yahoo and should be targeted again on the waiver wire this week. New Orleans trusted him plenty in a competitive game, which is a strong vote of confidence.
Still, despite the positives, Miller remains a risky FLEX option in deeper leagues but appears to have good long-term value as a backup with upside.
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Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses and backfield roles continue to evolve.
https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/fantasy-football-recapping-running-back-touches-for-key-backfield-splits-in-week-5-205124546.html
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