Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Running Backs to Start
Rico Dowdle CAR
The Carolina Panthers have leaned into a true two-running back approach, splitting drives between Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. In Week 7, Dowdle saw a 46% snap share, turning 18 touches into 96 total yards while Hubbard logged 17 touches for 55 yards. Though Hubbard has run more routes and seen slightly more targets, Dowdle has consistently been the more efficient and explosive option, generating chunk plays and forcing missed tackles at a higher rate. Among 57 qualifying running backs, he ranks inside the top 20 in both explosive run rate and missed tackle rate while ranking fourth in yards after contact per attempt. With Carolina’s offensive identity continuing to shift toward the ground game, this backfield appears to be trending in Dowdle’s favor as his per-touch effectiveness stands out weekly.
That efficiency will be key this week in fantasy football, as the Panthers face a Buffalo defense that has struggled to contain explosive rushers. The Bills have allowed the highest rate of explosive runs and the most yards after contact per carry in 2025, creating a favorable setup for Dowdle to build on his recent production. His combination of power and elusiveness makes him well-suited to exploit this matchup, especially if the Panthers can keep the game competitive. With consistent opportunity and elite per-touch numbers, Dowdle should be viewed as a strong start in Week 8 fantasy football lineups.
JK Dobbins DEN
J.K. Dobbins has remained the focal point of Denver’s backfield even during a recent fantasy dip. Over the past two weeks, Dobbins has averaged 16 touches and 77.8 total yards per game, showing solid rushing efficiency despite limited passing involvement. His Week 7 outing was a microcosm of that trend, 81 rushing yards on 14 carries but minimal receiving work. Still, Dobbins continues to lead the backfield in routes run, and his explosive playmaking ability remains a strength. Among 57 qualified backs, he ranks sixth in explosive run rate and 16th in yards after contact per attempt, demonstrating his ability to generate production even without heavy passing volume.
This week presents an ideal opportunity for Dobbins to reassert himself as a strong RB2, with a matchup against a Cowboys defense that has been generous to running backs. Dallas has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards, fourth-most fantasy points per game, and the highest rate of explosive runs in the league. Dobbins’ usage and efficiency this season bode well against the Cowboys’ defense, which struggles to contain big plays. Expect Denver to feature Dobbins early and often to control tempo, making him a strong RB2 with upside for Week 8.
Chase Brown CIN
Chase Brown has stepped into an improved role since Week 6. His efficiency has also been strong, producing 74.5 total yards per game over that stretch while maintaining solid underlying metrics. Brown ranks 16th in missed tackle rate and 17th in yards after contact per attempt, showing growth in his ability to create yards beyond the blocking. Cincinnati’s offensive line has done its part as well, ranking third in yards before contact per attempt, allowing Brown to run with rhythm and confidence. This is a big change from the 0.08 yards per contact allowed by the offensive line to open the season. Even without elite fantasy box scores, the workload and advanced stats indicate steady opportunity and performance.
This week, Brown will be able to turn his improved efficiency into a nice day in fantasy football against the Jets. While they have allowed the 10th fewest rushing yards overall, they rank 8th in yards after contact per attempt and allow nearly 19 points per game to opposing RBs. While I feel less confident compared to my previous two picks, the improvements from Cincinnati’s offensive scheme have helped open up the running game, making Brown a strong play this week. Brown has RB1 upside and should find the end zone for the first time since Week 1 this week.
Running Backs to Sit
Rhamondre Stevenson NE
Rhamondre Stevenson has seen a welcome increase in workload recently, logging over 70% of New England’s offensive snaps in consecutive games and averaging 20 touches per contest. His performance last week against Tennessee, 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown, reminded fantasy managers of his potential when volume and game script cooperate. Among 57 qualified running backs, Stevenson ranks 11th in missed tackle rate, showing he still has the elusiveness to create on his own. The Patriots’ offensive struggles on the ground game are well known still and have also made him more touchdown-dependent than ever, placing extra pressure on volume to sustain fantasy value.
Unfortunately, Week 8 presents one of Stevenson’s most difficult fantasy football matchups. The Browns have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs and just three total touchdowns to the position all season. Their defense ranks top-five in both fewest rushing yards and lowest explosive run rate allowed, making yardage and big plays difficult to come by. Stevenson’s volume might keep him involved, but his chances of finding the end zone are slim in this matchup. Fantasy managers should sit Stevenson this week unless desperate for a flex option, as he’s unlikely to deliver more than low-end production against this elite Cleveland run defense.
Tony Pollard TEN
Tony Pollard has reclaimed his spot atop the Titans’ backfield rotation, seeing 59% of snaps and commanding a strong passing-down role with a 35.9% route share and 17.6% target rate after only playing 48% of snaps in Week 7. While the increased involvement through the air is encouraging, Pollard’s inability to turn touches into consistent fantasy output remains a concern. He has yet to top 15 fantasy points in any game this season and has been held under 10 points three different times. Among qualified backs, Pollard ranks just 32nd in missed tackles forced per attempt, signaling a dip in his signature elusiveness. Tennessee’s inconsistent offensive line play hasn’t helped either, with negative game scripts often forcing Pollard into less efficient check-down situations.
For fantasy football managers, Pollard remains a risky start in Week 8 against a Colts defense that ranks among the league’s best against running backs. Indianapolis has held opponents to the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to RBs. Even though Pollard did manage one of his better outings against this same defense earlier in the season, his split workload with Tyjae Spears and reliance on passing game volume make him hard to trust. Unless you’re in a bind, Pollard should be viewed as a sit or low-end flex in all formats this week. His path to fantasy relevance hinges on heavy target volume, which isn’t a reliable foundation given Tennessee’s current offensive rhythm.
Jaylen Warren PIT
Jaylen Warren’s rise in Pittsburgh’s offense has been one of the brighter storylines this season. After years of watching Najee Harris dominate touches, Warren has finally taken command of the Steelers’ backfield, logging over 65% of snaps in two of his last three games. He’s averaging nearly 19 touches and over 100 total yards during that span, proving his efficiency is translating with volume. Among 57 qualifying backs, he ranks second in missed tackles forced per attempt and seventh in yards after contact per attempt, both elite marks. His compact running style and burst have provided a much-needed spark for the Steelers’ ground game, especially as they lean more heavily on him in key situations.
However, fantasy football managers may want to sit Warren this week, given the brutal matchup he faces against Green Bay. The Packers’ defense has been a nightmare for opposing runners, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards per game and the lowest explosive run rate in the NFL. They’ve also held backs to below-average yards both before and after contact while giving up no receiving touchdowns to the position. Warren’s workload will keep him on the field, but efficiency could be har
