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Alex breaks down the top 10 running back performances of Week 9 with an inside look at how they'll fare their next time out.
The running back renaissance is truly upon us in 2024. While rushing touchdowns were down this week, matching the lowest number of the season thus far (23), the top-10 RBs had their best week yet. Week 9 was the first time all season that each athlete to be featured on this list all hit 21 or more fantasy points in their respective outings. Don't feel too bad for the rushers, as combined points per game took a 3.6-point dip from last week's average of 48.6.
The culmination of Sunday night's clash between the Minnesota Vikings and Indianapolis Colts means that we are officially more than halfway done with the regular season, and Monday night's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will usher us into the second half. Week 9 still gave us some intriguing storylines, such as the Carolina Panthers knocking out the New Orleans Saints despite quarterback Derek Carr returning to action. Additionally, Puka Nacua was able to suit up after aggravating his preseason knee injury but was ejected after throwing a punch at a Seahawk defender. Who had that on their bingo card?
Anyway, like I said, the running backs were excellent this weekend, putting on a show and continuing to show out here in 2024. With the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers on bye this weekend, running backs Najee Harris and Jordan Mason are both exempt from this list. Additionally, Kareem Hunt and the Buccaneers' duo of Rachaad White and Bucky Irving do not qualify as they square off tomorrow. Let's jump into this week's top PPR RB performances.
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Here are the top 10 running backs from Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season in PPR scoring:
| Rank | Player | Team | Points |
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | PHI | 32.9 |
| 2 | De'Von Achane | MIA | 32.2 |
| 3 | Alvin Kamara | NO | 27.5 |
| 4 | Chase Brown | CIN | 26.7 |
| 5 | Derrick Henry | LAR | 26.3 |
| 6 | J.K. Dobbins | ATL | 24.5 |
| 7 | Rhamondre Stevenson | HOU | 22.4 |
| 8 | Rico Dowdle | DET | 21.7 |
| 9 | Bijan Robinson | CHI | 21.5 |
| 10 | Chuba Hubbard | IND | 21.2 |
1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley continues terrorizing NFL defenses in his first year in Eagles' green and Week 9 was just another chapter in the book. The 27-year-old ripped off chunks of yardage all afternoon in Philly's 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville came into this one allowing just 4.2 yards per carry to their opponents -- a bottom-five figure in the league. However, the veteran totaled 199 yards on the day, showcasing his burst, vision, and ridiculous athleticism.
Barkley ripped off 159 yards on his 27 carries, including a 19-yard scamper for his second touchdown of the contest. He chipped in another 40 yards and a score on 3-of-4 receiving, marking his third outing of the season with two or more TDs. It was another brilliant showing from the former Penn State Nittany Lion, who had one of the best runs I've ever had the privilege of viewing in my entire life.
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
Philadelphia will square off against their division rival Dallas Cowboys on the road in Week 10. Dallas' defensive unit is a far cry from what it was in years past, so fantasy managers should continue to play him as an elite RB1.
2. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are currently in their second three-game losing skid this season after dropping the season series to their division-rival Buffalo Bills in a 30-27 loss. However, De'Von Achane still had another monster outing. Achane rushed 12 times for 63 yards and a touchdown, piling on another 58 yards and a second score on 8-of-8 receiving.
The 23-year-old now has at least one touchdown and seven targets in every game quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has started. He has scored at least 23 fantasy points in each of those outings, and the 27.8 points he's averaged with the Tagovailoa under center would lead all running backs on a per-game basis -- nearly five full points more than the current leader, Derrick Henry.
It's been an incredible run for the former Aggie, and he'll look to keep it going in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. Achane is an absolute must-start option and will be in the elite RB1 conversation in the team's road matchup.
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Even with quarterback Derek Carr returning in week nine, the Saints dropped their seventh straight game, falling to the Carolina Panthers 23-22. Still, Alvin Kamara was his usual, productive self. The only thing missing from his stat line was a touchdown, but Kamara had a massive day anyway as he racked up an absurd 35 touches en route to 215 total yards.
While the seventh-year veteran hasn't scored in three weeks, he was uber-efficient on his 29 carries, averaging 5.34 yards per attempt (155) and another 10 per catch across his six receptions. The nine targets he saw were tied for his second-highest figure of the season, and he's already up to 63 total through nine games.
With wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) forced from the contest early on a stretcher, his status for Week 10 is unclear. If he can't suit up, Kamara could be in store for another huge day in the passing game when his team squares off against the visiting Atlanta Falcons next Sunday. Fantasy managers should continue to fire up Kamara as a top RB option for the divisional clash.
4. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown briefly left the Bengals' 41-24 domination of the Las Vegas Raiders, but he'd return to put forth his best statistical output of the 2024 season. Before Sunday, Brown hadn't seen more than 17 touches in a single outing but finished week nine with an astounding 32 touches, while teammate Zack Moss (neck) was inactive for the game.
The 25-year-old racked up 120 yards on his 27 carries while adding another 37 yards through the air on 5-of-5 receiving. His score came on a one-yard reception where quarterback Joe Burrow evaded the rush, keeping the play alive long enough to find his running back in the end zone.
.@chasebrown____ got another Joey B TD ball!!
📺: #LVvsCIN on FOX pic.twitter.com/aGMwyMwsjA
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 3, 2024
It was an excellent effort from Brown as he had begun to take on a larger share of the backfield workload even before Moss got injured. With uncertainty surrounding the latter's status heading into Week 10, it could be the former fifth-round pick's backfield again when the Bengals travel to M&T Bank Stadium to take on the Baltimore Ravens. If Moss is inactive again, Brown would be an intriguing play in a game that could feature a lot of offense.
5. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry again proved why he's one of the league's premiere running backs in the Ravens' 41-10 drubbing of the Denver Broncos. The 30-year-old superstar churned out 106 yards on his 23 carries, punching in two touchdowns and adding 27 yards on his sole target. Ho-hum. The former Alabama Crimson Tide scored his 100th -- and 101st -- rushing touchdown Sunday, making him just the 10th player in league history to do so.
It was another banner performance for the long-time Tennessee Titan, eclipsing the century mark for the fifth time in nine games and the third in his last four. He is now up to a league-leading 13 touchdowns through nine games and has scored at least once in each outing. Remember when he sat behind DeMarco Murray for the first two years of his career?
The former Alabama Crimson Tide and his team will line up against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals this Thursday night, and he should continue his torrid stretch. Henry is a weekly elite RB1 option.
6. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
J. K. Dobbins was a fixture in this column through the first two weeks of the season, ripping off long runs like it was his job. However, his efficiency has waned over the last five games, as he has not eclipsed 3.86 yards per carry. Well, Dobbins made his return to the feature in Week 9 with gusto.
The former Ohio State Buckeye made his presence felt in the Chargers 27-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. He amassed 85 yards and two touchdowns on his 14 carries while adding another 20 through the air, hauling in both targets. It was a good showing for Dobbins, and fantasy managers who stuck with him must be happy about his output.
The 25-year-old back will get a more staunch test in Week 10 when he and the Chargers square off against the Tennessee Titans at SoFi stadium. While he's been a bit streaky this year, it will be tough to bench the former Baltimore Raven as LA's offense has been hot in recent weeks. He'll be an RB2 for that outing on one of the NFL's most run-heavy offenses.
7. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
The Patriots lost a nail-biter on Sunday, falling to the Tennessee Titans 20-17 in overtime despite rookie quarterback Drake Maye tossing an impressive touchdown with time expiring in regulation. Yet again, running back Rhamondre Stevenson was lackluster in the yardage department but productive nonetheless.
Week 9 marked back-to-back games for the 26-year-old with two touchdowns, but one came through the air this time. He rushed for a paltry 16 yards and a touchdown on his ten carries but was decently involved in the passing game, reeling in all five of his targets for 38 yards and an additional score.
The Oklahoma product proved me wrong this week when I insinuated in last week's column that he couldn't keep up his touchdown production with staggeringly low efficiency totals. He'll have a chance to do so again next Sunday when the Patriots lineup against the Chicago Bears on the road. Chicago's defense has been excellent this season, so it should be more tough sledding for Stevenson. He's on the RB3 radar for that one.
8. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys continued their tailspin in Week 9 with a 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but Rico Dowdle's breakout game finally came to fruition. He was a late scratch in Week 8 due to an illness, forcing the team to activate running back Dalvin Cook ahead of their outing against the San Francisco 49ers. Still, he looked no worse for wear this past Sunday.
Dowdle put together his second-best rushing total of the season -- 75 yards on 12 carries -- but the real story here was his work in Dallas' passing attack. The fifth-year veteran caught 5-of-6 targets for 32 yards, including a sweet, juggling, concentration grab while lying on his back in the end zone. It's the second game in a row that he has caught five passes and garnered six targets, raising his fantasy floor in the process.
If The Cowboys Are Going To Salvage Their Season This Rico Dowdle Juggling Catch May Be The Reason Why https://t.co/fElP9K5DdA pic.twitter.com/RIR06xD1eV
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 3, 2024
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) will undergo an MRI this week to address the AC joint issue he picked up in Sunday's loss. If Lamb can't go, Dowdle should again see a significant share of targets when Dallas lines up for a divisional clash at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. He will be more of an RB3 with upside if his role in the team's air attack stays consistent.
9. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson was his usual dual-threat self in the Falcons' victory over the Dallas Cowboys, chipping in effectively on the ground and through the air in the 27-21 win. The 19 carries he saw were a season-high, and he churned out 86 yards on his attempts. He was also heavily involved through the air, corralling all seven of his targets for another 59 yards.
Despite his lack of consistent touchdowns in 2024, the 22-year-old has put together a fourth straight outing of at least 21.5 fantasy points and two in a row with seven receptions. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been on fire of late, tossing seven touchdown passes in his last two games. Still, the former Texas Longhorn continues to pile up yardage as he's racked up 790 scrimmage yards through the team's first nine contests.
Robinson will get a juicy Week 10 draw when the Falcons take to the road to square off against their division-rival New Orleans Saints. While the dynamic back could only muster 11.4 fantasy points against them back in Week 4, he's a high-end RB1 and should be in your lineup regardless.
10. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers broke back into the win column this weekend with a 23-22 victory over their division rival, New Orleans Saints. Chuba Hubbard was productive in this one, scoring two of his team's three touchdowns to help improve Carolina to 2-7 on the season.
Hubbard rushed 15 times and accumulated 72 yards, with both of his scores coming on the ground. He also caught 2-of-3 targets for no additional yards. It was the first time this season that the 25-year-old scored more than once in a game, and he continues to be a useful fantasy asset despite second-year quarterback Bryce Young manning the helm of the Panthers' offense.
Carolina will play a Swiss-cheese New York Giants defense next Sunday in Week 10, who allowed 5.4 yards per carry to their opponents heading into this past Sunday -- the highest yards per clip in the league. Hubbard will be on the RB2 radar for the outing and stands a good chance to extend his hot streak.
Thanks for reading, and best of luck in all your matchups in Week 10!
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