Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Chase Brown

Saturday, October 11, 9:13 AM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle is in line to make his second straight start with Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out again for Week 6 against Dallas. Dowdle erupted for 234 total yards and a touchdown on 26 touches in Week 5 against Miami in his first spot start of the year. Dowdle may have earned more snaps moving forward when Hubbard returns from injury, given how well he's played. Dowdle and the Panthers should be successful moving the ball on the ground again on Sunday versus a Dallas defense that has allowed 4.5 yards per carry and the seventh most PPR points per game to opposing running backs this season. Dowdle should be fired up as a borderline RB1 for Week 6.

Saturday, October 11, 11:34 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown hasn't played well this season. After scoring a touchdown in the Bengals' Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns, the 25-year-old hasn't visited the end zone since then. He only had eight carries for 27 yards in Week 5 versus the Lions. Fortunately, Brown made up for it by catching seven of his eight targets for 21 yards. Cincinnati won the first two games of the 2025 campaign. Unfortunately, the Bengals have lost their last three contests, so the team is desperately looking for a win in Week 6 against Green Bay. Joe Flacco, who was recently acquired in a trade with the Browns, will get the start under center for that one. However, Flacco's knowledge of the playbook will presumably be limited, meaning Brown may see more touches than normal while potentially getting an uptick in short passes out of the backfield. With that said, the Packers defense has been a challenge for opposing offenses throughout the year, which isn't good news for Brown, Flacco, Ja'Marr Chase (illness), and Tee Higgins. Still, the 2023 No. 163 overall pick remains worthy of a start in all fantasy formats based on his upside alone, especially for managers with limited options at the running back position.