NFL Week 1 brought some monster stat lines from running backs in a record-breaking week. Among them were Ravens RB Derrick Henry rushing for 144 yards and 3 TDs vs. the Colts, and Kenneth Walker III running all over the Broncos to the tune of 173 yards on 23 carries with 2 total TDs before sitting out late in a 31-10 win.
On the disappointing side of things, Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd only posted 37 yards and 13 carries in a 39-22 loss to the Vikings, filling in for Josh Jacobs.
As we sift through Week 2 fantasy football matchups in each game, some running backs are primed to exploit favorable matchups, while others might struggle against tough opponents.
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Below, let's break down some NFL Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em candidates among RBs, including picks to consider on PrizePicks for Bucky Irving, Jadarian Price, and more. Keep this analysis in mind when making your Week 2 fantasy football decisions.
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Start 'Em: Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving
Week 2 Game: Browns vs. Buccaneers – Sunday, September 20, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 60.5 Rush Yards, 14.5 Rush Attempts, 14.5 Receiving Yards
The Buccaneers trailed 14-3 after the first quarter and 24-10 at the half during their Week 1 matchup against the Bengals. That didn’t leave a lot of second-half carries for Irving, who finished the game with 45 rushing yards on 8 rush attempts.
Bucky did record a TD and posted 7 receptions for 48 yards. His backfield mate RB Kenneth Gainwell didn’t get much going on the ground, either, rushing for 15 yards.
Despite his lack of opportunities, there were positives that came from Irving’s performance. Per PFF, he forced 5 missed tackles. He had 30 missed tackles all last season, which ranked 28th among 55 qualified running backs.
As home 8.5-point favorites on PrizePicks, the Bucs' game script should favor Irving receiving more rushing attempts in Week 2. The Buccaneers will face the Browns, who only scored 10 points in their lopsided loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.
The Bucs were down by 24 points at the half in Week 1, eventually losing the game 34-10. Since they had built a big early lead, the Jaguars finished the game with 32 rushing attempts, led by RB Bhayshul Tuten, who turned 15 carries into 66 yards. With the potential for Irving to finish this game with 15+ carries, he has the ability to far exceed his Week 1 output as the clear backfield lead.
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Start 'Em: Seahawks RB Jadarian Price
Week 2 Game: Seahawks vs. Cardinals – Sunday, September 20, 4:25 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 59.5 Rush Yards, 9.5 Receiving Yards, 13.5 Yards Longest Rush
For fantasy purposes, the Seahawks' use of their running backs in their 13-10 victory over the Patriots was frustrating. Price received 10 carries, while RB George Holani had 8. Even RB Emanuel Wilson received 2 carries in short-yardage situations.
Price was the most productive option among the Seahawks’ running back trio. He ran for 52 yards, compared to 29 yards for Holani. Wilson only totaled 3 yards, failing to reach the end zone. Price also led the Seahawks’ backfield in targets, catching both of his for a total of 6 yards.
After being selected with the 32nd pick in the 2026 Draft, Price is the future of the backfield for the Seahawks. He certainly showed more burst than Holani, who averaged only 3.3 yards across 22 carries last year. As the season moves along, it would not be a surprise if the rookie took on a larger role.
Seattle returns from their extended rest with a Week 2 matchup against the Cardinals, who are coming off a 26-14 upset of the Chargers. In that game, Chargers RB Omarion Hampton found his way into the end zone, while also rushing 12 times for 43 yards.
Last season, the Cardinals allowed the sixth-most yards per carry to running backs (4.76) in the NFL. The Seahawks could lean more heavily on their run game with QB Sam Darnold (glute) expected to miss time. That’s potentially good news for Price, as Drew Luck figures to be nothing more than a game manager.
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Sit 'Em: Titans RB Tony Pollard
Week 2 Game: Eagles vs. Titans – Sunday, September 20, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 43.5 Rush Yards, 12 Rush Attempts, 7.5 Receiving Yards
The Titans' offense looked awful in their 23-10 loss to the Jets on Sunday. They were unable to sustain drives, which contributed to Pollard receiving just 7 carries. He turned them into 35 yards, but the lack of volume torpedoed his fantasy contributions.
His backfield mate RB Tyjae Spears wasn’t great, either, posting 3 rush attempts for 12 yards. With only 10 carries between them, there wasn't a lot to go around in the loss.
The game script doesn’t figure to work in Pollard’s favor in Week 2, either, with a matchup against the vastly superior Eagles on tap. They held the Commanders to 9 points through three quarters on Sunday, eventually winning the game 24-22. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Pollard finished with fewer than 10 carries again, making him a risky option in fantasy
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Sit 'Em: Steelers RB Rico Dowdle
Week 2 Game: Steelers vs. Patriots – Sunday, September 20, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 38.5 Rush Yards, 0.5 Player TDs (Demon)
Despite back-to-back campaigns of at least 1,000 rushing yards, Dowdle finds himself on his third team in as many seasons. It’s not an ideal landing spot for him, either, with RB Jaylen Warren also in the fold.
In Week 1, Warren finished with 10 carries for 46 yards. Meanwhile, Dowdle only had 8 carries. He didn’t exactly make a case for more work moving forward, totaling just 15 yards.
If there is an encouraging stat for Dowdle, it’s that he logged 39 snaps in Week 1, compared to 25 for Warren. However, as long as both players are healthy, they should cap each other’s upside.
In addition to a rotation that is not ideal for fantasy purposes, the Steelers are facing a Patriots team that was third in Rush EPA allowed last season, according to RBSDM. Another muted stat line could be on the horizon for Dowdle.
Dowdle's rushing yardage projection was 42.5 when posted, but has already dipped to 38.5 as of publishing, signaling the market is moving in the negative direction.
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Irving and Price could both be looking at favorable game scripts in Week 2 that might lead them to productive stat lines. The same can’t be said for Pollard, who may struggle to receive significant carries against the Eagles. Dowdle might also be looking at a limited workload because of his time-share with Warren.
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