In a league full of injuries, running backs had largely run through the minefield unscathed. That changed in Week 3, as some backfields saw an immediate shift. Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson showed why they were the consensus Top 2 picks in fantasy, delivering huge games that swung matchups. Derrick Henry continued his climb up the running back record books, and Jeremiyah Love emerged. We recap the entire league and look forward to Week 4!
Backfields Worth Noting
Some backfields saw noteworthy movement in Week 3:
- Arizona: Jeremiyah Love: Bellcow
- Miami: De'Von Achane's season-ending knee injury shakes up the Dolphins offense. Expect them to split the backfield between Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright.
- NY Jets: The Jets joined Miami's AFC East running back misery. Breece Hall is expected to miss multiple weeks while Braelon Allen should lead the backfield.
- New Orleans: Travis Etienne Jr. injured his hamstring and will miss time. The Saints will utilize Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller.
- Pittsburgh: Rico Dowdle's injury made Jaylen Warren a Bellcow. Warren smashed against Cincinnati and should be in a similar position in Week 4.
Bellcow Backfields
| Team | Back | Player | Rushes | Targets | Stat Line | Opportunity | Snap % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | RB1 | Jeremiyah Love | 21 | 5 | 21-90-0 / 5-19-1 | 81% | 64% |
| RB2 | Tyler Allgeier | 2 | 4 | 2-1-0 / 4-10-0 | 19% | 36% | |
| Atlanta | RB1 | Bijan Robinson | 29 | 2 | 29-194-2 / 2-19-0 | 76% | 72% |
| RB2 | Brian Robinson Jr | 10 | 0 | 10-50-1 | 24% | 27% | |
| Baltimore | RB1 | Derrick Henry | 26 | 1 | 26-89-2 / 1-0-0 | 84% | 67% |
| RB2 | Justice Hill | 5 | 0 | 5-33-0 | 16% | 33% | |
| Buffalo | RB1 | James Cook III | 24 | 1 | 24-154-1 / 0 | 86% | 67% |
| RB2 | Ty Johnson | 0 | 4 | 4-50-0 | 14% | 23% | |
| Carolina | RB1 | Chuba Hubbard | 19 | 4 | 19-82-0 / 4-28-0 | 82% | 84% |
| RB2 | AJ Dillon | 4 | 1 | 4-16-0 / 1-2-0 | 18% | 16% | |
| Cincinnati | RB1 | Chase Brown | 13 | 2 | 13-61-0 / 2-8-0 | 71% | 70% |
| RB2 | Samaje Perine | 3 | 3 | 3-9-0 / 1-5-0 | 29% | 32% | |
| Dallas | RB1 | Javonte Williams | 19 | 3 | 19-98-1 / 2-5-0 | 76% | 76% |
| RB2 | Tyler Goodson | 6 | 1 | 6-22-0 / 1-5-0 | 24% | 15% | |
| Detroit | RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 20 | 8 | 20-99-2 / 7-65-1 | 80% | 69% |
| RB2 | Sione Vaki | 6 | 1 | 6-26-0 / 1-11-0 | 20% | 31% | |
| Indianapolis | RB1 | Jonathan Taylor | 23 | 3 | 23-68-0 / 2-4-0 | 87% | 85% |
| RB2 | Seth McGowan | 4 | 0 | 4-14-0 | 13% | 15% | |
| Kansas City | RB1 | Ken Walker III | 18 | 2 | 18-70-1 / 2-3-1 | 74% | 73% |
| RB2 | Emmett Johnson | 6 | 0 | 6-17-0 | 22% | 27% | |
| RB3 | Brashard Smith | 0 | 1 | 1-4-0 | 4% | 8% | |
| Las Vegas | RB1 | Ashton Jeanty | 19 | 3 | 19-56-0 / 3-37-0 | 81% | 84% |
| RB2 | Mike Washington Jr. | 5 | 0 | 5-54-1 | 19% | 16% | |
| Miami | RB1 | Ollie Gordon II | 17 | 3 | 17-41-1 / 3-14-0 | 83% | 84% |
| RB2 | De'Von Achane | 3 | 1 | 3-17-0 / 0 | 17% | 5% | |
| Minnesota | RB1 | Aaron Jones Sr. | 17 | 6 | 17-58-0 / 5-34-0 | 85% | 80% |
| RB2 | DeeJay Dallas | 1 | 0 | 1-2-0 | 4% | 15% | |
| RB3 | Demond Claiborne | 3 | 0 | 3-1-0 | 11% | 5% | |
| NY Giants | RB1 | Cam Skattebo | 20 | 4 | 20-60-0 / 3-40-0 | 71% | 77% |
| RB2 | Najee Harris | 9 | 0 | 9-52-0 | 26% | 22% | |
| RB3 | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | 1 | 0 | 1-3-0 | 3% | 2% | |
| Philadelphia | RB1 | Saquon Barkley | 15 | 2 | 15-82-0 / 1-(2)-0 | 85% | 72% |
| RB2 | Will Shipley | 0 | 2 | 1-11-0 | 10% | 26% | |
| RB3 | Tank Bigsby | 0 | 1 | 1-5-0 | 5% | 4% | |
| Pittsburgh | RB1 | Jaylen Warren | 17 | 4 | 17-127-0 / 3-49-0 | 91% | 90% |
| RB2 | Lew Nichols III | 1 | 0 | 1-0-0 | 4% | 5% | |
| RB3 | Travis Homer | 1 | 0 | 1-0-0 | 4% | 5% | |
| San Francisco | RB1 | Christian McCaffrey | 15 | 5 | 15-75-1 / 4-41-0 | 80% | 83% |
| RB2 | Kaelon Black | 4 | 1 | 4-17-0 | 20% | 15% |
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The week's most pleasant surprise leads it off. Love dominated the Arizona backfield, becoming the 17th rookie with 90+ rushing yards, 5+ receptions, and a receiving touchdown. Allgeier still played, but his role shifted to a situational pass protector. This performance significantly changes the rest-of-season outlook for Love. There should be little reason for Arizona to put the genie back in the bottle as they face a Giants defense that has struggled against the run.
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Michael Penix Jr. brought life to the Falcons offense, and the attack heavily featured its two franchise players, Robinson and Drake London. Robinson stopped 1 yard short of his career high. His 17-game pace: 1,977 rushing yards, 74 receptions, 669 receiving yards. Michael Penix Jr. brought life to the Falcons offense, and Week 4 should be another smash spot, facing a New Orleans defense that has struggled against the run while playing three shootouts.
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Henry jumped Ray Rice on the Ravens' career touchdown list, moving into 2nd, and Eric Dickerson on the career yardage list, moving to 9th. He stands 7 touchdowns from Jamal Lewis for the Ravens franchise record. Henry is one of the key players in Week 4; he faces his former team, Tennessee, for the first time since he left following the 2023 season.
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Cook has 346 yards through 3 games, the 56th most all-time and just 5 off Saquon Barkley's pace in his 2,000-yard 2024 season. Cook's pace is 1,960 yards. Ty Johnson's return has significantly impacted Cook's passing-game work; he has just one reception over the last two games. This split has been established over the last several seasons; with Joe Brady's move from offensive coordinator to coach, we know what to expect. Cook faces a Patriots defense that's allowed the 17th most points to running backs.
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With Jonathon Brooks hitting IR, we should expect Hubbard to continue in a Bellcow role. The Panthers worked out Austin Ekeler, who opted to sign in Washington, a clear sign they are evaluating their depth. Hubbard's production is very similar to 2024, coach Dave Canales' first year with the team. He finished with 293 touches, 1,195 rushing yards, 43 receptions, and 171 yards. Hubbard is in a favorable spot; the 50.5-point total for Monday against Detroit is the second-highest on the week.
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Brown ran against GameScript as the Bengals trailed the Steelers. Ideally, we would have seen pass game usage to help bump Brown's scrimmage yards, but that has diminished after 5 receptions for 22 yards in Week 1. His rushing numbers are tracking in line with 2025. He should see a touchdown regression, which could help boost him from his current RB19 position. Week 4 is a tough spot; Jacksonville has limited running back production, has led much of the season, and has a strong defense.
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Williams had his best game of 2026, coming just shy of 100. Goodson jumping Emari Demercado is the noteworthy development. Dallas added Goodson after Week 1 and plugged him into the offense two weeks later. He has the potential to emerge as a passing-down complement to Williams and is the handcuff to hold. Dallas has a stiff Week 4 test: a Texans defense that shut down Jonathan Taylor in Week 3.
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No superlatives can describe Gibbs' start to 2026. His 17-game pace: 1,740 rushing yards, 22.7 rushing touchdowns, 102 receptions, 884 receiving yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns. He moved past Billy Sims for 2nd on the Lions' career rushing touchdown list. Chris Johnson holds the record with 2,509 scrimmage yards in 2009. Gibbs is on pace to clear it by 115. He has a juicy primetime matchup against a Carolina defense that has struggled badly to stop running backs.
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Taylor had a floor game against an elite Texans defense that has stopped him. It's not worth overanalyzing. That said, he faces a Commanders defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs in Week 4.
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What we expected, but not how we expected. We were cautious on Walker after seeing lower volume in Week 3, both because coach Andy Reid suggested more opportunities for Emmit Johnson and because of a potential blowout. Walker's volume did decrease, but it had more to do with the Dolphins' surprising defensive effort. Walker's 360 yards lead the league and put him on a 2,040 pace. Week 4 brings a Raiders defense that ranks 7th in defensive run EPA, though a 47.5 total indicates points are expected.
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The flip side of that matchup, the Raiders have their own Bellcow. Jeanty started red hot in Week 1, but the last two weeks have looked familiar to his 2025 when he totaled 975 rushing yards, 55 receptions, and 346 receiving yards. His pace over the last two games: 884 rushing yards, 60 receptions, and 442 receiving yards. The passing attack has helped, but it's still frustrating. Kansas City's defense ranks league average; they allowed a big game to Taylor in Week 2, but have otherwise limited running back production.
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Achane's injury is one of the low points of Week 3. His season is over. Jaylen Wright missed with an injury, though he is expected to return. Expect the Dolphins to split reps between Gordon and Wright. Considering Achane had as firm a grip on the backfield as any running back and still struggled for fantasy relevance, a split is suboptimal. The Dolphins' backs will lead the waiver wire, but a Week 4 matchup against Minnesota is an avoid.
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Jones has seen Bellcow usage and catches the flip side of that Dolphins matchup. The Miami run defense has been the best part of their team, ranking fifth in run EPA. Jones is a must-play with this level of volume, and Minnesota enters as large favorites, but the Dolphins will likely make Kyler Murray beat them. The Vikings added former Saints running back Devin Neal. If healthy, Neal should supplant Dallas and Claiborne behind Jones.
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The Giants leaned on their backs in a weather game. Tennessee kept them out of the end zone, the only knock on Skattebo's 100-yard scrimmage day. As we expected, Harris emerged as the complement. His physical style is a much better offensive fit than Singletary or Tracy. The Giants will likely try to lean on their backs again, though Arizona enters with the 8th-best run EPA.
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Buy Barkley. Week 2 was a write-off as he dealt with a stinger. In two other performances, he's averaged 82.5 yards for a 1,402 pace. He'll earn fantasy points as he looks explosive and elusive. Week 4 against the Rams does offer a difficult matchup; they have been a Top 5 defense against running backs.
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Warren is the most pleasant surprise of Week 3. With Rico Dowdle out, he received Bellcow usage and delivered. He was more efficient than Dowdle with opportunities through the first two weeks and should continue that usage in a short week against Cleveland on Thursday night. Teams have run on the Browns, and the Steelers would like to do the same in a physical rivalry game for first place in the AFC North.
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Our Bellcow King is back. The 49ers had opportunities to push volume in Black's direction, but McCaffrey returned to similar usage that pushed him to the top of the fantasy leaderboard in 2025. He bounced back after a low-efficiency Week 2. Denver has a strong defensive reputation, but they have been gashed on the ground to start 2026.