Conference Championship Game Running Back Start/Sit: Christian McCaffrey, Isiah Pacheco, Gus Edwards and More

Start

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

CMC has the worst possible matchup in the league and may be dealing with a leg injury. With that said, it just doesn't matter. No matter what, you are trying to get him in your lineup at all costs and he will be well worth whatever it takes to own him this week and any week. He's probably the best running back in the NFL and he's definitely the best fantasy running back in the league. Deebo Samuel likely being sidelined, or at the very least limited with a shoulder injury, gives CMC even more value. Last week he saw 17 carries and caught seven of his ridiculous 12 targets. He finished with 127 yards and two TDs with those opportunities. He sees more snaps and opportunities than any back in the league and is the most efficient. Always start him if you want to win your league. 

Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

Gibbs was our back of choice last week for Detroit and he was clearly the superior option. It wasn't even close. He carried the ball nine times for 74 yards and a TD on 8.2 yards per carry and caught all four of his targets for another 40 yards. That's exactly why you opt for him as your starting option. Not only has he gotten his touches up to the point that he's the 1a option in the offense, but he's also so dynamic and explosive. Every time he touches the ball he jumps off the screen. He's electrifying to watch and any play can be a game-changing play. You are looking at a breakout superstar and potentially the RB1 in dynasty next year and a first-round pick in redraft leagues.

 

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Believe it or not, based on fantasy points allowed to running backs this season, Pacheco actually has the easiest matchup this week against the Ravens. They are still solid against the run, but only allowing the 13th-fewest points to the position. Pacheco is also emerging as one of the best young backs in the league and runs like he's been watching film on Marshawn Lynch. At the beginning of these playoffs, I said that by the end of them, he would catapult himself up draft boards for the next fantasy season. He's doing just that and now everyone is getting to see on the biggest stage what he's been doing for most of the season when healthy, especially late in the year. There is no way I'm sitting or avoiding him this week. The weather in the Northeast could also make this a run-heavy game. 

Sit

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

With only four teams playing we have to bench somebody. Unfortunately, because of that, we will be avoiding Montgomery this week. He's been great all year and is more than capable of punching in not only one but a few TDs on any given week. Still, his opportunities are down from where they were early in the season, and it's obvious when you watch the Lions play that he's the inferior talent compared to Gibbs. With only a two-game slate, it's hard to justify playing the lesser back in a committee unless it's simply as a contrarian play or it's your only option in DFS. However, that in no way makes him the better option in Detroit. 
 

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

It's scary telling you to bench Edwards because it feels like whenever I do he goes nuts. It's a cycle with him. He looks like he's done, we say bench him. Then he goes off and makes us look foolish. Rinse and repeat. This has been going on for years now, but the Ravens just can't move on from him. They trust him and he's their guy. Nevertheless, there are now too many mouths to feed in the Baltimore rushing attack and we just can't get him in our lineups this week. 

Last week, Justice Hill led the Ravens' running backs in carries, targets, and both rushing and receiving yards. He finished the game with 13 carries and two receptions for 77 yards from scrimmage. Now you also have Dalvin Cook in the mix who saw eight carries last week and looked really good. It's very possible his role will continue to grow moving forward. Worst of all, you also have Lamar Jackson who ran the ball 11 times for 100 yards and poached two rushing TDs. To make matters even worse, tight end Mark Andrews could return from injured reserve this week and the few dump offs that Jackson does throw will likely go his way. Edwards saw just 10 carries for 40 yards last week and caught a -1-yard reception. That's just not getting it done and the situation could get worse and not better. This also applies to all other Ravens' running backs.