Who Should I Start? Kareem Hunt or Rico Dowdle

Friday, December 5, 10:21 AM

Across 12 games this season, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt has recorded 629 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 144 touches. While the 30-year-old's season-long numbers don't jump off the page, Hunt's work in recent weeks is more notable. He's earned double-digit touches in five straight games and scored five touchdowns in that span. Hunt saw a boost in playing time throughout November due to a knee injury to fellow Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Still, in Pacheco's first game back in Week 13, Hunt remained the clear lead rusher and out-touched Pacheco 15 to five. Even if Kansas City works towards a more even split between the two backs as Pacheco gets healthier, Hunt has proven to be the team's trusted option at the goal-line. Hunt has earned 34 red zone snaps so far this season, compared to just 15 for Pacheco. Hunt profiles as a low-end fantasy RB2 heading into Kansas City's Week 14 matchup against the Houston Texans.

Wednesday, December 3, 1:59 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was outproduced by Chuba Hubbard in last week's upset win over the Los Angeles Rams, as Hubbard finished with 17 carries for 83 yards while also catching two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Dowdle had 18 rushing attempts for 58 yards and added two receptions for 21 yards. It was the first time the Panthers had two RBs each record at least 75 scrimmage yards in a game since Dec. 24 of 2022. "And for Rico, you know, giving him the lion's share of some of those first and second down, those early series and all that is a great way to just get him the ball," head coach Dave Canales said. With Hubbard getting his legs back under him after missing some time with injury, the Panthers appear to be reaching a more effective, balanced approach between the two RBs, with Dowdle becoming the early-down back, and Hubbard working more on passing downs.