NFL 3 Stars For Week 8: Running Back


This may be the toughest list to put together all season, as at least 8 running backs had elite, career days, so it's safe to say that plenty of fantasy football games were won and lost because of this position all weekend long. With great all around performances that included some historic numbers, we've had to give a list of honourable mentions, and due to this, we've had to extend the list to a special 4 stars this week, due to the incredible performances, but beyond that, these are the three running backs that stood out the most in Week 8.

Honourable Mentions: Travis Etienne, D'Onta Foreman, Nick Chubb.

4. Alvin Kamara

Stat line: 18 carries, 62 yards, 1 Touchdown, 9 catches, 96 yards, 2 Touchdowns. 

Alvin Kamara was a name circulating all around the trade block in the week leading up to this one, but with 3 Touchdown's in a shutout win over the Las Vegas Raiders likely has Saints fans excited about chasing down the division leading Falcons, rather than moving their best offensive weapon. As usual, Kamara was a threat as a runner and a receiver, and if he can continue to find the end zone, this is a team that could certainly go on a run in the coming weeks. 

3. Derrick Henry

Stat line: 32 carries, 219 yards, 2 Touchdowns.

Few running backs in the NFL can put a team on their shoulders like King Henry, and he did just that in the Week 8 win over the Houston Texans, as rookie starter Malik Willis threw the ball just 10 times in the entire game. That's all that was needed however, as Henry used his power to carry the ball for 219 yards and 2 Touchdown's, which was all the offensive output that this team needed to pick up a crucial victory.

2. Tony Pollard

Stat line: 14 carries, 131 yards, 3 Touchdowns.

Many people were worried for the Dallas Cowboys when Ezekiel Elliot went down last week and subsequently was ruled out of the Week 8 clash, but Tony Pollard silenced those who were worried, as he ran with violent power en route to 3 trips to the end zone in the big win over Chicago. He won't take over as the starter once Elliot is back, but will likely get a few more touches as a result of this, as he was clearly the best offensive player on the field in this game. 

1. Christian McCaffrey

Stat line: 1/1 passing, 34 yards, 1 Touchdown, 18 carries, 94 yards, 1 Touchdown, 8 catches, 55 yards, 1 Touchdown. 

When Christian McCaffrey was acquired by San Francisco, they knew they'd gotten a great running back, but what people didn't know was that they found themselves a QB too, as McCaffrey hit a historic trifecta in the win over the division rival Rams, with a passing, receiving and rushing Touchdown all in the same game. With Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, this offence was always going to be dangerous, but with McCaffrey now doing this, they could be fantastic, and come playoff time, if he's still healthy, we could be looking at an NFC favourite to head to the Super Bowl. 

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports