In The Blitz, RotoViz writers react to the latest news and help you place it within the context of our 2020 research and recommendations.

As we head into Week 6 of this tumultuous NFL season, I wanted to take a moment to revisit one of the more polarizing offseason narratives: Doug Pederson, Miles Sanders, and the dreaded running back by committee (RBBC). In Pederson’s career as an offensive coordinator or head coach (2013-2020), there has only been a single instance where one running back topped 50% of the team’s total rushing attempts. That was back in 2013 when Jamaal Charles saw 58% of the team’s total rushing attempts.

In four games played this season, Sanders is averaging 58% of the Eagles’ total rushing attempts.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders made one huge play in Week 5, ending up with a solid fantasy performance. He ran the ball 11 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns, adding two catches on four targets for 19 more yards. Sanders scored on a 74-yard run in the first quarter. He ran the ball 10 other times for just six more yards total, but one of those times included a one-yard goal-line plunge into the end zone. His overall efficiency outside of the one huge play, and the Eagles’ continued struggles in general, are a slight concern for Sanders going forward, but he should still be a strong RB2 at worst in most weeks.

Coaching History vs. Unique Talent

The basis for the offseason discussion between those who projected Pederson to retain his traditional approach of using multiple running backs and those who projected Sanders to take on more of a workhorse role can be summed up in a single image.