Week 10 rewards managers who trust matchups over names. Some backs below are quietly stepping into bigger roles against soft run defenses, while others have recognizable résumés but unfavorable spots.
Here is Week 10's Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Running Backs:
Week 10 Start ‘Em
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders
Charbonnet has quickly looked like himself again after a serious knee injury. He ran 16 times for 77 yards last week, and the expectation is that he will take roughly 65% of the carries when he and Jadarian Price are both healthy. Las Vegas allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs, which makes this a strong RB2/flex spot. A touchdown has been overdue.
Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
Gordon has cooled slightly after four straight games with a rushing touchdown, but this matchup should restore his value. Indianapolis has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs, and it is one of four teams to allow 1,000 rushing yards this season. Start him as a flex with touchdown upside. A defense giving up this much on the ground is a good place to look for a rebound.
Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
Estime became the Saints' between-the-tackles runner last week after Kendre Miller's release. Carolina is one of three teams that have allowed at least 11 rushing touchdowns to running backs, and it has given up one in five straight games. The caution is that this depends on Travis Etienne Jr. staying out, so check the injury report before kickoff. If he is out, Estime is a legitimate flex.
Week 10 Sit ‘Em
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Article Continues BelowBrown caught three passes and scored 10.5 fantasy points against Atlanta, but Samaje Perine led the Bengals in carries. That wasn't the first time this season Perine has led the ground attack. The shifting backfield makes Brown hard to trust against a division rival, even in a game Cincinnati is favored to win. Wait for a clearer workload before putting him back in your lineup.
Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams
Allgeier handled nearly all of Arizona's backfield work with Jeremiyah Love and Bam Knight out, but he gained only 46 yards on 19 touches. He has been inefficient whenever he has been the lead back, including 2.7 yards per carry last week. The Rams have surrendered just three total touchdowns to running backs. Plenty of volume doesn't help if he has to score to produce, so bench him if you have other options.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
This is the hardest sit on the list. Pollard ran for 246 yards and five touchdowns over his last two games before the bye, so benching him feels wrong. But Jacksonville allows only 89.3 rushing yards per game, fifth-best in the league, which caps his ceiling. The Jaguars are also 10-point road favorites, which could push Tennessee into a pass-heavy script. Treat him as a flex rather than a must-start.