Week 5 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em: Frank Gore and 3 RBs to Avoid

Things are heating up in the fantasy world with bye weeks coming into play now.

Sometimes you are forced to play running backs or receivers that have difficult matchups, but these three running backs should be avoided at all costs.

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rush defense is currently the 11th-ranked run defense in the NFL. They are likely to slow down Gore and the 49ers' run game this week.

The 49ers really struggled to run the ball in their first three games of the season but were able to bounce back against the horrid run defense of the Eagles.

Things won't be easy for Gore this week—if you have to play him, don't expect a lot of yards. There is a chance he is able to pick up a touchdown, but that's the only chance for a decent amount of fantasy points this week.

LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs face off against the 49ers this week, who rarely give up 100 yards rushing on the ground. They currently have the 10th-ranked run defense in the NFL and are very stout against opposing running backs.

Blount's best bet this week is for a busted play by the 49ers, or for a short rushing touchdown.

He likely won't pick up many yards, but hopefully the Bucs won't abandon the run inside the 5-yard line. Blount doesn't present much in the passing game, which makes him a difficult play against such a stout run defense.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Obviously, you probably aren't going to bench MJD this week—I know I won't be, but that's because I don't have any other options due to the bye week.

This is your fair warning that MJD is going to be slowed down significantly this week unless Blaine Gabbert can find a way to break down this stingy Cincinnati Bengals defense.

The Bengals are currently the seventh-best defense against the run—they only concede 86 yards per game.

MJD hasn't been as effective as the MJD of old, so your expectations should certainly be tamed this week.