We’re back for another look at some of the key backfield splits, reviewing running back fantasy football performances from Week 5. The early window featured some lackluster football with a few blowouts, but surprisingly, we witnessed the biggest RB performance of the season—and the most exciting game overall—in Carolina, where the Panthers shocked the Dolphins. Below, we’ll break down how RB touches shook out for some key teams and what it means for fantasy football moving forward.
### Carolina Panthers
Down 17-10 at halftime and 24-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Panthers staged a comeback to secure their second win of the season, 27-24. Carolina was without starting running back Chuba Hubbard due to a calf injury, which meant it was a Rico Dowdle week. If you were playing Dowdle, our congratulations are in order. He exploded against a weak Dolphins defense for the first 200-yard rushing performance of the season.
Dowdle finished with 26 touches (including three catches), racking up 206 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards. He narrowly edged out Jonathan Taylor for the top RB fantasy score in the early window with 30.9 points. That score has a solid chance to hold up as the RB1 overall for the week.
Trevor Etienne also saw some action with four carries for 22 yards, and rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. was involved with four touches. However, this was clearly Dowdle’s backfield in Hubbard’s absence. Prior to the injury, Hubbard had been receiving the bulk of carries but was only producing 4.1 yards per attempt, with a noticeable lack of explosive plays.
If Hubbard remains out, Dowdle is a very solid RB2 with RB1 upside in all formats. Should Hubbard return, expect a split backfield after Dowdle’s impressive showing against Miami. He has demonstrated he knows what it takes to be a lead back from his time in Dallas. Calf injuries can be tricky for running backs, so if Dowdle is still available on waivers, grab him—don’t walk.
### Houston Texans
The fantasy gods can be cruel. One week, they appear to bless us with Woody Marks; the next, they take Marks away.
In Week 5, the Texans routed a depleted Ravens squad missing Lamar Jackson. The game was ugly and dominated by C.J. Stroud’s four passing touchdowns, making him look like a fantasy star again. However, in the backfield, the expected shift toward Marks didn’t materialize. Instead, veteran Nick Chubb led the carry count.
The 29-year-old Chubb had 11 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown, while Marks served as the backup with seven carries for just 24 yards. Neither back caught a pass, with each totaling one target. Chubb finished with 12.1 fantasy points; Marks had only 2.4.
Dameon Pierce also saw garbage time touches with seven carries. A few wide receivers even got occasional carries, and (believe it or not) British Brooks logged a few touches as well.
It’s tough to read too much into a blowout like this, so it’s not time for full panic on Marks just yet. Clearly, he hasn’t overtaken Chubb as the lead back, despite last week’s expectations. From a football perspective, Houston is fine giving Chubb carries, which is understandable but frustrating for fantasy owners.
Marks will still hold value and remains an injury away from weekly RB2/FLEX status. For now, both Chubb and Marks should be considered volatile FLEX options. Keep in mind, Houston is on a Week 6 bye.
### New Orleans Saints
Unlike the situation with Marks, the backfield in New Orleans appears to have swung more in Kendre Miller’s favor this week. Miller was a trendy pickup after last week’s solid performance, where he carried 11 times for 65 yards and a touchdown (12.5 fantasy points) against the Bills.
In Week 5 versus the Giants, Miller again earned double-digit carries, finishing with 10 carries for 41 yards plus one catch for eight yards. Meanwhile, veteran Alvin Kamara was less effective on the ground, churning out just 27 yards on eight carries (3.4 yards per carry). Although Kamara saw plenty of work in the passing game—four catches on six targets for 28 yards—it was modest production.
Miller currently looks like the more impactful back in the running game. This should result in more of a ground carry split, while Kamara continues to get his usual passing-game usage. However, Kamara’s age is becoming apparent, and there is continued speculation about a possible trade before the deadline since the Saints aren’t expected to compete for a playoff spot.
Miller remains under 31% rostered on Yahoo and should definitely be targeted off waivers again this week. New Orleans trusted him plenty in a competitive game, which is encouraging. That said, Miller is still a risky FLEX option in deeper leagues but a backup with promising long-term value.
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Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses, and be sure to monitor these backfields closely for potential fantasy football breakout opportunities.
https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/fantasy-football-recapping-running-back-touches-for-key-backfield-splits-in-week-5-205124546.html
