Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Fantasy football week 7 is upon us, and that means it's time to play the game of "do you bench your running back or send him out there to ruin your day, possibly?" Luckily, this week's matchups give us some clear winners and losers regarding who to start and who to sit if you're counting on your running backs to carry your team to victory. Let’s dig into the best bets to fire up and the risky bets to keep on the bench when crunch time comes.

Start Em:

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland BrownsJudkins has been steadily improving week by week until last week, and he might be nursing a little chip on his shoulder after a rocky outing against the Steelers in the last game. Now he faces the Miami Dolphins, who have been worse than a screen door against the run, giving up a whopping 1,011 rushing yards this season, which averages out to 169 yards per game. If Judkins was saving his best moves for a big moment, this is it, and his increased workload suggests he's ready to explode on the scene again.

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia EaglesSaquon Barkley is looking like the man he was last year so far this season. He is due this week, and this week the Vikings are on the menu. Minnesota’s defense has been surprisingly generous against the run, allowing running backs to rack up yards with ease, making this a great opportunity for Barkley to shine. History and stats both say running backs have been doing well against the Vikings, so expect Saquon to find plenty of room to roam.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (JCM), Washington CommandersJCM, as he's affectionately known, might have slipped last week with a fumble, but his consistent usage shows the coaches believe in him. He faces arguably the worst defense in the league this week, the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the most yards and points across the board. If ever there was a time to trust JCM to put up fantasy points, it's now.

Sit Em:

Nick Chubb, Houston TexansFacing the Seahawks, who are rock solid against the run, shutting down even some of the best backs in the league, Chubb is better off cheering from the sidelines this week. Seattle allows just 79 rushing yards per game, which doesn’t bode well for Chubb’s expected output.

De’Von Achane, Miami DolphinsAchane’s in a tough spot, facing a Browns defense notorious for making life miserable for running backs. The Browns hold opposing backs to under 79 rushing yards per game and have a league-leading run stop percentage. This is not the environment for Achane to excel in fantasy points.

Cam Skattebo, New York GiantsThe Giants' rookie finds himself up against the Denver Broncos, whose defense has tightened the screws on running backs recently. They’re allowing less than 4.1 yards per carry over the last five games, which means Skattebo is likely to struggle to make an impact this week.

So when you set your lineup this week, start Judkins, Barkley, and JCM for the best shot at fantasy glory, and keep Chubb, Achane, and Skattebo out of the spotlight until more favorable opportunities come around. Good luck

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: RB Edition

Reporting by Tyler Whitcomb, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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