Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSunday, June 21, 2026

Fantasy Football: Arian Foster has a bad game while no-names lead Week 11 running backs

An unpredictable week for running backs probably led to some surprising upsets in your league. Hope you had Marcel Reece!

Dilip Vishwanat

Arian Foster, Doug Martin, LeSean McCoy, Alfred Morris, and Trent Richardson all had fumbles. The list of players on the 'Good' side are all surprises. Just what the hell happened in Week 11 running backs?

I don’t know but I hope this doesn’t continue:

The Good

LaRod Stephens-Howling against the Falcons (SAY WHAT NOW?)

It was kind of a slow week for running backs in Week 11, so why not be led by the Cardinals under-sized back? LaRod Stephens-Howling ran for 104 yards against the Vikings a month ago, but has struggled to do much when asked to do anything other the change the pace.

He finally repeated that performance on Sunday, rushing for 127 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Atlanta.

Would I go with Stephens-Howling next week or any other week? No. And Beanie Wells should return in Week 12. Which still means very little behind this offensive line.

Marcel Reece against the Saints (MARCEL MARCEL)

When Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson suffered ankle sprains, the question was "Taiwan Jones or Marcel Reece?" Holy crap, what a dumb question that turned out to be. While Jones was ineffective (and then left today with, you guessed it, an ankle injury) Reece has been miles ahead of him.

Reece had 103 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving for Oakland against the Saints. You won’t see many games better than that this week, because there weren’t that many running games better than that this week. Ride the Reece train for as long as you can. He’s been better than even McFadden.

Bilal Powell against the Rams (I GOT THAT BOOM BOOM POWELL!)

That boom boom Powell! That Bilal Powell.

Actually, you likely didn't have that Powell, the one that scored twice against the Rams and broke the hearts of many-a Shonn Greene owner. Powell isn't the starter, he will get carries near the end zone, the Jets offense is still pretty bad. You missed this opportunity and with Powell coming into the game with zero touchdowns, it's still not likely to happen again.

Plus you had to read a Black Eyed Peas reference.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis against the Chiefs (THANKS CHIEFS!)

Feeling the football blues? Not scoring, not keeping teams out of the end zone? Well then let me tell you about this brand new product that will change your life:

THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS!

That's right, with no defense and no offense, the Chiefs are GUARANTEED to help you score points, get wins, and finally get that big promotion at work! Just ask Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis:

“Before I tried Chiefs, I was struggling in Cincinnati. One game against KC and I had 101 yards and a touchdown. Thanks, Chiefs!”

The Chiefs can be yours if you play for the Broncos, Panthers, Browns, Raiders or Colts. SO CALL NOW!

Honorable Mentions: Mikel Leshoure, Trent Richardson, Jonathan Stewart, Doug Martin

The Bad

Arian Foster against the Jaguars (WHY DIDN'T ANYONE GET ARIAN FOSTER INTO THIS GAME?)

The Texans: 43 points and overtime.

Arian Foster: 77 yards and a lost fumble, no touchdowns.

A huge disappointment for the best running back not on a bye this week, finishing with around six points for fantasy owners. The Texans still face a soft schedule down the stretch, but this wasn't a great day for Foster, especially considering that Ben Tate isn't even around much lately.

Maybe bring back Ben Tate from injury! Who would have thought Foster owners would want that?

LeSean McCoy against the Redskins (FUMBLE BUMBLE RUMBLE AND TUMBLE!)

Or something. An awful day for the Eagles and a bad day for LeSean McCoy. The best player that the Eagles have on offense finished 112 total yards, but had one fumble lost and no touchdowns. Against the Redskins defense, that's just pitiful.

Reggie Bush against the Bills (IS THE MAGIC GONE IN MIAMI?)

The comeback of Reggie Bush for the Dolphins was something interesting and exciting to watch. I mean, I'm sure that Bush has his haters, but what he was doing was surprising and therefore it was worth watching. It's not been that way lately.

Bush had 20 yards rushing on Thursday against the Bills, marking another bad game for the versatile back. If you take out his huge game against the Raiders (because: RAIDERS) he has run for about 400 yards in nine games with two touchdowns. That is bench territory and that is where Bush should be.

On your bench.

Honorable Mentions: Ryan Mathews, Ray Rice, Rashard Mendenhall

The Injured

Taiwan Jones left the Raiders game with an ankle injury. This puts Marcel Reece more in control of the job while Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson are out; That puts it from like 99% to 100%.

Willis McGahee left with a knee injury. Ronnie Hillman had nine carries for 44 yards in relief. The Broncos are all-Peyton Manning right now, but the starter should be worth a flex spot.

Follow Kenneth on Twitter

For more fantasy info, head over to the SB Nation Fantasy War Room 4-8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Check out SB Nation’s own Fantasy Football game, Pick 6!

Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube

NFL
Best DFS picks for Patriots vs Texans in Divisional roundBest DFS picks for Patriots vs Texans in Divisional round
NFL

Chet Gresham takes us through his favorite picks for FanDuel’s Divisional round DFS matchup between the Patriots and Texans

By Chet Gresham
NFL
Best DFS picks for Bears vs Rams in Divisional roundBest DFS picks for Bears vs Rams in Divisional round
NFL

Chet Gresham takes us through his favorite picks for FanDuel’s Divisional round DFS matchup between the Bears and Rams

By Chet Gresham
NFL
Best DFS picks for Broncos vs Bills in Divisional roundBest DFS picks for Broncos vs Bills in Divisional round
NFL

Chet Gresham takes us through his favorite picks for FanDuel’s Divisional round DFS matchup between the Broncos and Bills

By Chet Gresham
NFL
Best DFS picks for Seahawks vs 49ers in Divisional roundBest DFS picks for Seahawks vs 49ers in Divisional round
NFL

Chet Gresham takes us through his favorite picks for FanDuel’s Divisional round DFS matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks

By Chet Gresham
NFL
Best DFS picks for Patriots-Chargers in Wild Card round matchupBest DFS picks for Patriots-Chargers in Wild Card round matchup
NFL

Chet Gresham takes us through his favorite picks for FanDuel’s Wild Card matchup between the Patriots and Chargers

By Chet Gresham
NFL
Best DFS picks for Jaguars-Bills in the Wild Card round matchupBest DFS picks for Jaguars-Bills in the Wild Card round matchup
NFL

Chet Gresham takes us through his favorite picks for FanDuel’s Wild Card DFS matchup between the Jaguars and Bills

By Chet Gresham