Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 7: Tank Bigsby, D'Ernest Johnson

The Jacksonville Jaguars running backs were killers in the fantasy football lineup in Week 6.

Travis Etienne Jr. started the week without an injury report, leading the majority of his fantasy owners to play him in the Jaguars' neutral-site game against the Chicago Bears. The result was a worst-case scenario: negative fantasy points on three runs and a game-ending hamstring injury.

Those who grabbed backup Tank Bigsby off waivers for the Bears game didn't fare much better.

Although Etienne left the game after just 11 offensive shots, Jacksonville's game plan went off the rails as the Bears built a 35-10 lead in the second half. D'Ernest Johnson, the No. 3 prospect in that game, ended up surpassing Bigsby, who entered Week 6 as the NFL's leading rusher in yards-per-carry average.

The NFL is a week-to-week business, but can the Jacksonville running backs be expected to have a more favorable game against the New England Patriots in Week 7 after so many of that backfield were burned in the Bears game?

Let's break it down:

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 7: Tank Bigsby

Bigsby was listed as a high-potential flex option in this area last week and came through with a whopping 1.4 fantasy points. Pooh.

Patient fantasy managers should expect Tank to make amends for his poor performance on Sunday morning (9:30 a.m. EST) against the Patriots' leaky run defense.

Again, negative play forced Jacksonville to abandon the running game against Chicago. This week should be a much more opportune time for Bigsby, both in terms of the matchup and the logistics of Jacksonville's second straight game in London.

MORE: Travis Etienne Jr. injury updates: Does Jaguars RB have a chance to play against Patriots?

Jacksonville had the advantage of staying in the UK this week while the Patriots have to travel. The Jaguars beat Buffalo 25-20 in that exact situation in 2023, and it's hard to expect New England to do better with a first-year head coach and a rookie quarterback.

The Jaguars are a mess right now, but they are a better football team than the Patriots. They will become more accustomed to the time difference and pitch conditions, which should allow them to play with an edge for once.

With Etienne expected to miss this week's game to rest his injured Achilles tendon, Bigsby appears ready to work early against a banged up Patriots front seven. We're not worried about last week's nonsense. Bigsby projects to be the RB2 in Week 7.

Verdict: Start it.

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 7: D'Ernest Johnson

Johnson saw a significant increase in usage last week, playing about three times his usual number of offensive snaps. He played a total of 35 snaps (compared to Bigsby's 17) and was a popular waiver player after Etienne was left out of the Bears' game.

Can we trust Johnson as a flex play in Week 7?

Of those 35 snaps against the Bears, 25 were passing plays, according to PFF. Either the Jaguars favored Johnson over Bigsby in those situations, or the game was so far out of reach that they decided to hold Bigsby since Etienne was already out for the game.

Whatever the reason, it's hard to justify playing Johnson unless you see the Jaguars in a similar situation to last week's lopsided second half against the Bears.

That won't happen against the Pats, who may be the favorite for next year's No. 1 draft pick. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye will make his second career start behind the NFL's worst offensive line. He will also look to get the ball to one of the worst position groups in the league.

The Jaguars have spoiled themselves this season and are 5.5 point favorites against the Patriots. That says it all. Jacksonville should be able to dictate this game, and that means Johnson's role falls back to change-of-pace and third-down duties.

Verdict: Sit him.

The Jaguars' $141 million pass rusher is tipped as a potential trade target for the Detroit Lions

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