Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Javonte Williams


Week 8 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
8.6 36.2 0.2 2.1 14.3 0.1

Rico Dowdle News

Rico Dowdle Productive in Win Over Saints, but Clear No. 2 Option

Sunday, October 25, 10:07 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle carried the ball nine times for 41 yards (4.6 yards per carry), and caught all six of his targets for 45 receiving yards (7.5 yards per reception) in France during a 16-10 Week 7 win over the New Orleans Saints. He played 28 offensive snaps. Dowdle was fairly productive and heavily involved in the passing game, as he led the Steelers in receptions and tied for the team lead with wide receiver DK Metcalf in targets. However, it is evident that running back Jaylen Warren will remain the preferred option in the running game. Warren played 40 offensive snaps and rushed 18 times for 101 yards (5.6 yards per carry). Warren added three receptions (on four targets) for 36 yards (12.0 yards per catch). Warren out-touched Dowdle 21-15, compiling 137 scrimmage yards compared to 86 total yards for Dowdle. The Steelers prefer to use a two-running back attack, and Dowdle will continue to get plenty of touches, but expect Warren to keep operating as the lead back as the 2026 season progresses.


Week 8 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
18.2 78.0 1.0 2.4 14.4 0.1

Javonte Williams News

Javonte Williams Gets Going With 155 Yards and TD Against Eagles

Monday, October 26, 7:39 PM

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams and the Cowboys' run game was finally able to break out in the 38-21 victory on Monday Night Football against the banged-up Philadelphia Eagles. Williams had big holes to run through all night and finished with 25 carries for a season-high 155 yards (6.2 yards per attempt) and one touchdown. He was not targeted at all in the passing game. It was a nice bounce-back performance for the 26-year-old after he had a season-low 11 rushing attempts for 41 yards in last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite the fact that Williams came into Monday's game with under 4.0 yards per carry, he has now found the end zone in each of the five games and has eight rushing touchdowns through the first seven weeks of the 2026 campaign. He has had a nose for the end zone so far after his 2025 breakout in his first year in Dallas, and he will be a good bet to find paydirt again in a strong Week 8 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. If Dallas can continue to run the ball like they did on Monday night, they will be a very tough offense to stop.


Rico Dowdle vs. Javonte Williams

Still trying to decide between Dowdle and Williams? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rico Dowdle is projected to score 8.6 points this week while Javonte Williams is projected to score 18.2 points.