Kansas City Chiefs - Fantasy News

Who to Start: Kareem Hunt or Lamar Miller?

by Mike Rose

10/6/17

NFL

Kansas City Chiefs

Kareem Hunt

The Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Houston to take on the Texans in the latest edition of Sunday Night Football in Week 5. The Chiefs are currently the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL, while the Texans check in at 2-2. However, Houston is coming off of a destruction of the Tennessee Titans, 57-14, thanks to rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson’s best game of the season.

Houston has won two of the last three games played against Kansas City in the Lone Star State. Two players to watch out for on Sunday will be starting running backs Kareem Hunt of the Chiefs and Lamar Miller of the Texans.

Each offensive star is a reliable option for your Dober Play Card. Hunt is projected to pick up 18 Dober Fantasy Points, while Miller is projected to churn out 12.5.

Fantasy Matchup: Kareem Hunt (18.0 PFP) vs. Lamar Miller (12.5 PFP)

The rookie is favored over the veteran by 5.5 points, and it’s no surprise as he’s been on a mission since being handed the No. 1 running back job.

Hunt has been on an absolute tear since the season started. It all started in Foxboro and hasn’t stopped since. He’s currently the No. 1 fantasy running back with right around 100 points depending on what league you’re in. He’s already surpassed the 500-yard barrier with 502 yards from scrimmage, and he has tallied four rushing touchdowns as well.

Hunt has helped the Chiefs rushing attack get off to a fast start and lead the NFL after the first four weeks. KC has accumulated 654 yards on the ground as a team, and the unit is the No. 2 total offense in the league. If there is a downside in starting Hunt in your Dober Pick ‘Ems for Week 5, it’s the fact that Houston’s defense ranks No. 3 defending fantasy running backs.

Meanwhile, the veteran Miller has gotten off to a somewhat slow start for the Texans offense. While he has 257 rushing yards, he only has one touchdown to show for his efforts. Unlike the rookie, he’s the No. 12 fantasy running back with less than 50 points in some leagues. He is, however, the top running back for the No. 5 ranked rushing offense in the NFL.

As a team, the Texans have churned out 559 total yards on the ground through the first four weeks while putting forth the No. 16 ranked total offense. Houston will be going up against a respectable Chiefs defense that ranks in the top third of the league at No. 11 against the running back position in fantasy football.

Overall, both running backs are reliable options for your Dober Play Cards in Week 5, so take a look at both of them. Hunt’s performances on the road have actually been better than those at home, so take that for what it’s worth. Yes, he’s facing the third-ranked defense against the run, but with the way he’s playing, how much will that really affect him? He has put up 320 yards away from Arrowhead, and he won’t be there Sunday. Start him!

Week 5 Fantasy Projection: Kareem Hunt (-5.5) vs. Lamar Miller