David Stowe 
We are here ladies and gentlemen! Week 2 is upon us and we have loads of content coming out over the next few days to help you take down your GPP’s and cash in your 50/50’s and Double-Ups. Be sure to hop in discord to get all of the updated information leading up to the first kick. When you have time, be sure to check out the data driven article that Jared put out reviewing week one, we will referenced it heavily for the targets and touches livestream and it provides needed data for this weeks slate. I will not waste a ton of your time here as I know what you are here for so enjoy the WDS: Week 2 NFL Running Back DFS Breakdown 9.19
I am going to put this at the top of my articles until the status quo changes. If you want to play Christian McCaffrey and can afford him, go for it. His floor/ceiling combination is unmatched from week to week. This just saves me a few minutes for every Running Back DFS Breakdown just stating the obvious.
***Note to all new players: Any players that may list in cash are viable options for GPP play. Just understand that Cash plays are likely to have higher ownership.***
I will add ownership percentages to the article later in the week. Those numbers do not really paint a clear picture until Friday. Plays may adjust due to those numbers so be sure to check back. I’ll update accordingly.
GPP:
Nick Chubb, Browns, ($7,800DK/$8,400FD) 7% OWN:
I thought that Chubb was going to be the big chalk this week in cash games due to talent and matchup. But everything points to 6-8% of rosters having him so I LOVE him for GPP.
Urban Meyer looked lost in his head coaching debut. Choosing to throw the ball 51 times against the worst running defense in the league even though Carlos Hyde averaged 4.9 YPC and James Robinson averaged 5.0. The Browns will not make that same mistake and as far as pure running backs go there is arguably no one better than Chubb. I know that some have a concern with Hunt taking targets and touches but there is no reason to be. He is going to go ham on the Texans this week.
David Montgomery, Bears, ($6,100DK/$7,300):
I am thinking this one ends up in the cash category but I’m waiting on ownership info to come out before moving. After watching the replay of the Bears/Rams I can find no smart reason for why Nagy was taking Monty off of the field for Damien Williams. Why take a guy who is ripping off 8+ yard carries the entire game for anything other than needing a breather for a play? Why has Williams randomly starting drives? Why in God’s name are you running end arounds with Marquis Goodwin? Why do you not utilize play action when you have David Montgomery running the ball? Make no mistake, Nagy’s job is on the line in the coming weeks and if he continues to make these mistakes he will no longer be a part of the Bears organization, and year in and year out Cincy’s defenses allows over 5 yards per carry so doing anything besides handing Monty the ball 25 times right up the middle will tell you all you need to know about his future. Montgomery has been nothing short of a revelation over the last eight games and he somehow looks faster, stronger, and has better vision than at any point in his career.
Damien Harris, Patriots, ($5,400DK/$6,200FD) 7% OWN:
I know he coughed up a fumble but I do not see Bill benching their best running back for a single indiscretion and the coaching staff has already voiced their confidence in his ability to “step up” . No better place to step up than an opportunity against a Jets defense that has been bottom five in every measurable category for almost a decade. He lacks receiving upside but has that ever stopped us from playing guys like Derrick Henry or Nick Chubb? If he gets 20-25 carries it will largely come out even in the end. 160 yards rushing is just as good as 100 yards rushing and 3 grabs for 30 yards.
Also Consider: Derrick Henry, Miles Sanders
Cash:
Chris Carson, Seahawks, ($6,100DK/ $6,700FD) 18% OWN:
I’m thinking that some of you have noticed something about several of my plays this week. When it comes to GPP’s this week something that I am planning to do is target these high total games. While people flock to the receivers and tight ends I am completely comfortable taking a back like Carson due to his ability to catch out of the backfield. The Titan’s defense struggled to stop every facet of the Cardinals offense in week one and the Seahawks are arguably better in every facet. When I first saw that Seattle kept five running backs on the roster going into the first week I was a little worried but those concerns were completely unwarranted as Carson carried the ball 16 times for 93 yards, caught all three of his targets for 26 yards, and accounted for 78% of the running back snaps. While everyone is (justifiably) stacking the receivers, take a lineup or two and replace your second receiver with Carson and reap the benefit.
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys, ($6,200/$7,500) 18% OWN
The ownership has heavily skewed towards Zeke as chalk, so while he is no longer a GPP play everything that I saw last week still remains, only now I can recommend as cash only.
One thing stood out to me when I gave the game another watch. Only four running plays of the 77 offensive snaps were designed to take place inside the numbers. Even though Zeke is trimmed down a bit, Pollard is better suited to that style, so it made it appear that Pollard was the guy even though Elliot played 84% of the snaps compared to 24% for Tony. The Bucs were thin defensively in the secondary and the Cowboys were (successfully) beating them out there all night. At the same time, Zeke was tasked with protecting Dak with no Zack Martin on the O-Line and he did a phenomenal job as the Cowboys only allowed ONE sack. Sunday, Martin will be back in action so that need will not be there. The Chargers may have some pieces on defense, but nowhere near the caliber of Tampa, especially up front. Even with Fitzpatrick’s hip injury, Gibson was still producing and ripping off chunk plays with interior runs. While everyone is ready to write Elliott off I am going to lean into him having a huge game. I just think the echo chamber surrounding him has reached an extreme and we get 2019 Zeke in week two.
Austin Ekeler, Chargers, ($7,300DK/$7,000FD)
My final selection for my running back DFS breakdown in none other than Austin Ekeler. It was a little strange seeing him get zero targets in week one but I am willing to chalk that up to a tough Washington defense, the fact that the Chargers did not get him in reps in the preseason, and a leg injury that they wanted to be cautious with. With a 55 point total and a soft Dallas defense, this is shaping up to be a smash spot for Austin. The best part about it is that if you are going to stack this game you are not sacrificing upside due to what should be a heavy utilization in the passing game. Even without a single target in week one he got 15 touches and scored a touchdown giving me a ton of optimism about his upside on Sunday.
Also Consider: Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon, Najee Harris
It is time folks and I wish you all great success in in 2021 and beyond and our WDS: Week 2 NFL Running Back DFS Breakdown 9.19 helps you towards your goals. It is time to start digging into DFS and make sure that we have our processes in place for a successful 2021 NFL campaign. If you have any questions about the Running Back DFS Breakdown, I will be available in the WinDaily Discord chat. Don’t forget to subscribe to the WinDaily Youtube channel and follow me @stoweby and @WinDailySports on Twitter to stay current and up to date on all of our fresh new content!
