Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Saturday, November 8, 1:25 AM

Rico Dowdle is set for a favorable matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 10. Against running backs over the last four weeks, the Saints gave up 521 rushing yards, which is the fourth-most of all teams, and four rushing touchdowns, which is tied for the third-most. Dowdle was the clear lead back for Carolina in Week 9, playing on 73.6% of snaps. In that game, Dowdle rushed for 130 yards on 25 carries, with two rushing TDs, and he totaled 28.1 PPR fantasy points. In the last five games, Dowdle had three rushing TDs, averaged 6.3 yards per carry, and averaged 22.1 PPR Fantasy Points Per game. He exceeded 28 points three times during that span. With a plus matchup against the Saints in Week 10, fantasy players should start Dowdle as a prime must-start option in all formats.

Monday, November 10, 9:38 AM

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (shoulder) exited during the second half of Sunday's Week 10 contest against the Detroit Lions. At the time of his departure, he had six carries for 16 rushing yards and a touchdown, sharing work fairly evenly with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols. Rodriguez Jr. was named team Captain for Sunday's contest, and many reports suggested a potential shift in Commander running back ownership. Still, due to his injury, we couldn't see exactly how things would have played out. Croskey-Merritt ended the game with 11 carries for 30 yards (2.7 YPC), playing most of the second half, while McNichols finished with five carries for 25 yards. The Commanders head to Spain for their Week 11 tilt with the Miami Dolphins, who are bottom-10 against opposing running backs on the season, making Rodriguez Jr. a desperate flex-worthy start, if healthy next week.