Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 6: Making the Call on Fringe Running Backs

Deciphering which fringe running backs to start each week can be a daunting task for any fantasy owner. Should you rely on a pass-catching running back despite being up against a stout run defense, or go with a back who typically receives a small workload but has a favorable matchup?

Let's put an end to these burning questions before Sunday's slate of games kick off.

Obviously, fantasy owners should know well enough to start such studs as Matt Forte, Le'Veon Bell and Giovani Bernard each and every week, but not everyone is fortunate enough to own one of these top-tier running backs. Taking injuries, matchups and trends into consideration, here's a look at which fringe running backs to start—and which to leave on the bench—in Week 6.

Player	Team	Opp.	Start/Sit	Reason
Branden Oliver	SD	OAK	Start	See analysis below.
Andre Williams	NYG	PHI	Start	See analysis below.
Justin Forsett	BAL	TB	Start	His receiving ability will be huge against Tampa Bay's defense.
C.J. Spiller	BUF	NE	Start	He's coming off a bad performance, but historically, he owns the Patriots.
Joique Bell	DET	MIN	Start	He'll see more carries without Reggie Bush in the fold.
Lamar Miller	MIA	GB	Sit	See analysis below.
Bishop Sankey	TEN	JAC	Start	With Shonn Greene likely out, he'll finally get a chance to shine against Jacksonville's defense.
Steven Jackson	ATL	CHI	Sit	His carries will be limited in what should be an all-out aerial assault on Sunday.
Darren Sproles	PHI	NYG	Start	His receiving ability should come into play nicely against New York's defense.
Alfred Morris	WAS	ARI	Sit	Don't expect much on the ground against Arizona's stout run defense.
Matt Asiata	MIN	DET	Sit	The Vikings will be relying on Teddy Bridgewater, not Asiata, to gain yards against Detroit.
Ben Tate	CLE	PIT	Start	He looked good in a small sample size in Week 1 against Pittsburgh.
Zac Stacy	STL	SF	Sit	Expect the Rams to generate yards through the air, leaving Stacy as an afterthought.
Stevan Ridley	NE	BUF	Sit	Don't expect another big game against Buffalo's solid run defense.
Ronnie Hillman	DEN	NYJ	Sit	This is still a pass-first team, and Hillman just isn't that good.
Storm Johnson	JAC	TEN	Start	This is a gamble, but he could be in for a big day against a bad Titans run defense.

Branden Oliver (Start)

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Fantasy owners lucky enough to snag Oliver after his breakout performance in Week 5 should expect to be rewarded immediately. The little-known back sure looked like the real deal against the New York Jets, and he'll continue that trend against the Oakland Raiders in Week 6.

Oliver carried 19 times for 114 yards and a score, adding four receptions for 68 yards and another touchdown against the Jets. That performance led several analysts to compare the rookie to the elusive Darren Sproles. NFL tweeted the seemingly nation-wide comparison:

Now, he rides his momentum to Oakland against a defense ranked 31st in the league against the run.

Adding to the ball-carrier's appeal in Week 6 is Oakland's poor performances against running backs from a fantasy perspective. Only four teams have given up more average fantasy points per game to opposing ball-carriers, as the Raiders are allowing 21.3 per contest, according to ESPN.com.

Expect those Sproles references to continue following another big showing for the rookie running back.

Andre Williams (Start)

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

With Rashad Jennings officially ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants rookie ball-carrier Andre Williams is slated to get the start. Philadelphia hasn't been good against the run this year, ranking 25th in the league, and Williams' bruising running style should help exploit that fact.

Williams saw his carries increase over the last two games, earning 15 against Washington and 20 against the Atlanta Falcons. In each contest, he racked up over 60 yards and reached paydirt. Now, he faces a defense that's allowed an average of 19.6 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly knows what to expect when the Giants come to town, via Eagles Insider:

Philadelphia recently faced a similar type of ball-carrier in Frank Gore, and the San Francisco 49ers running back tallied 119 yards on 24 carries while adding a 55-yard touchdown reception. There's no reason to think Williams won't put up similar numbers.

Lamar Miller (Sit)

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

It may seem strange to sit a running back against a Green Bay Packers team that has been pretty awful against the run this season. However, there's plenty of reasons why Miller should remain on the bench in Week 6.

While Miller has been decent this season, the Miami Dolphins haven't exactly been committed to the run. He's carried no more than 15 times in any contest this year. Sure, he has a chance to bust one loose against the Packers' 32nd-ranked run defense, but there are obstacles in the way.

For one, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been on an absolute tear of late. He's thrown seven touchdowns over his last two games and rides his hot streak into Miami. If Green Bay gets up early, Miller's value diminishes quickly due to his lack of involvement in the passing game.

If that's not enough reason to bench the running back this week, there's always the return of Knowshon Moreno. James Walker of ESPN.com tweeted the ball-carrier's updated status:

Before Moreno's injury, he was clearly the better option out of the backfield in Miami. While his workload may be limited initially, it's still another speed bump on the path to Week 6 success for Miller.