Who Should I Start? Jordan Mason or Isiah Pacheco

Friday, September 26, 5:01 PM

As the Minnesota Vikings' lead back, Jordan Mason should be viewed as a high-end RB2 and a starting option when his team takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. With Aaron Jones (hamstring) on injured reserve and unable to play, Mason will be the top option out of the Minnesota backfield until at least Week 7, and possibly longer given his effectiveness so far. The first-year Viking surpassed 100 yards and scored twice last week as the No. 1 back, and now he takes on a Pittsburgh defense that ranks 19th in yards per attempt allowed and 31st in missed tackles. Now that Minnesota has other key pieces like left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and receiver Jordan Addison (suspension) back in action, Mason should have a starring role in an offense on the rise.

Saturday, September 27, 12:52 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 4. Pacheco handled 10 carries for 45 yards and one catch for three yards in the 22-9 win over the New York Giants last week. The 26-year-old had a modest 4.5 yards per carry in the contest, but has only averaged 3.7 yards per carry on the season. Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have split the Chiefs backfield evenly this season, but neither back has pulled away as a favorite to handle more work. The modest Kansas City run game duo has failed to produce a rush over 11 yards in 48 combined carries this season. Pacheco has not looked the same since returning from his fibula fracture last season, and he'll need to improve his play before the Chiefs decide to make substantial changes to the run game. The good news is that Pacheco has the easiest matchup for running backs this week, the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, and Pacheco could benefit from this advantageous matchup. Pacheco is ranked RB36 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, putting two spots behind Hunt and on the edge of RB3/Flex range. This could be a make-or-break week for Pacheco's role moving forward, so it will be interesting to see what he can do.