Let's examine the case of two former backup running backs who have been thrust into out-of-nowhere large roles — and potentially large fantasy point totals — due to RB1 injuries, those replacements rushers being Chicago Bears RB Kyle Monangai and Los Angeles Chargers RB Kimani Vidal.
These two young bucks are in different vibe classes right now: Monangai is coming off a titanic performance where he rushed for over 175 yards in a spot start for RB D’Andre Swift, while Vidal had a dismal 30 yards on 12 carries in a really good matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
If you have both backs on your fantasy roster, which one should you start? Let’s take a look at this Week 10 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle for your RB position. For more Start 'Em, Sit 'Em questions for every position, check out our full Week 10 list here.
NFL Week 10 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em - Kyle Monangai or Kimani Vidal?
We’ll take a look at the case to start both of these running backs by using statistics and matchup analysis for Week 10. Once we do that, head over to PrizePicks and pick More or Less on their stat projections to give yourself an opportunity to win some real money.
Why Start Kimani Vidal?
Things have gone from bad to worse for the Chargers’ offensive line after OT Joe Alt went down with a season-ending injury in last week’s game. The Chargers went out and acquired OL Trevor Penning to get some stability for the ailing hog mollies of the Southern California team.
Despite poor performances for Vidal in two of his last three games, we still have a rosy picture painted given his performances in the other two of the last four appearances. Vidal has rushed for 124 and 117 yards in games against the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, respectively, so there is a lane for him to once again have nice value in flex spots this week.
Kimani Vidal Stat Projections vs. Steelers for Week 10
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- 14.5 Rush Attempts
- 57.5 Rush Yards
- 13.5 yards Longest Rush
- 1.5 Rush + Rec TDs (Demon)
Why Start Kyle Monangai?
D’Andre Swift is likely returning after fighting injuries for the past several weeks and finally missing a game in Week 9, but Monangai still holds some flex value this week against the defensively challenged New York Giants.
In his first ever start last week, Monangai ripped off chunk play after chunk play en route to 176 rushing yards against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are not great at defending the run, but neither are the Giants, who have given up the highest Explosive Rush Rate in the NFL, per FTN.
We could very well see Monangai take red zone and short-yardage carries away from Swift as the team works the veteran back into the rotation, which could lead to Monangai having a flex-worth fantasy football day on the ground.
Kyle Monangai Stat Projections vs. Giants for Week 10
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- 40.5 Rush Yards
- 12.5 Longest Rush
- 0.5 Rush + Rec TDs (Demon)
- 3.5 Yards on 1st Rush
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Kyle Monangai
It’s easy to look at this as a case of a starting running back with guaranteed volume in Vidal vs. a backup running back who has to fight his backfield co-habitant for touches in Monangai, but we think that Monangai’s high floor mixed with his high ceiling in a great matchup pushes him ahead here.
Vidal will get his touches, absolutely, but it’s hard to look at the Chargers’ offensive line missing some stalwarts and say they can open up lanes for Vidal to run against a Steelers’ run defense that has allowed under four yards per carry to backs in five of their last six games.
Monangai gets the benefit of a much better matchup and has recency bias on his side, so we recommend to start Monangai if this is a decision you have to make this week.
Who comes out on top for this Week 10 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle between Monangai and Vidal? You can make your choice on PrizePicks player picks game.
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