Start: Miles Sanders — Philadelphia Eagles (at DAL)
Miles Sanders enjoyed his time in New Jersey two weeks ago. Sanders shined in Philadelphia’s dominant win over the Giants, and posted a huge fantasy score in the process. Philly’s lead back was unstoppable on the ground, as he gashed the Giants for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Sanders finished with a PPR total of 28.50 — just two weeks removed from a 31-point outing against the Packers. Despite a so-so outing against the Bears on Sunday (Jalen Hurts rushed for three TDs), Sanders is a good choice this week.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Sit: Zonovan Knight — New York Jets (vs JAX)
No Breece Hall? No problem for the Jets as they simply slotted in another rookie rusher into their backfield. Zonovan Knight has been impressive after going undrafted this past year. Entering last weekend, the rookie had seen 56 touches over New York’s past three games. In New York’s loss to the Bills, Knight rushed for 71 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries — and caught two passes, as well. However, Knight was limited to 23 yards on 13 carries in New York’s loss to Detroit. His 2.30 PPR total doesn’t make us feel good about starting him this week.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Start: Ezekiel Elliott — Dallas Cowboys (vs PHI)
Things weren’t looking great for Ezekiel Elliott entering Week 11, but Zeke has had five good games in a row. Against Minnesota a few weeks back, the former superstar only managed 42 yards on 15 carries, but found the end zone twice — good for a PPR total of 17.70. On Thanksgiving, Zeke rushed for a season-high 92 yards and a touchdown. In a blow out win over the Colts, Zeke found the end zone once again (fifth game in a row) and recreated a familiar touchdown celebration when he jumped into the Salvation Army bucket. In Dallas’ comeback win over the Texans, Zeke once again found the end zone. On Sunday? Zeke scored yet again. Seven games, nine scores — start him.
Image Source: Ken Blaze-USA Today Sports
Sit: Latavius Murray — Denver Broncos (at LAR)
Latavius Murray has taken control of the Denver backfield. Usually, that’s a good thing for fantasy running backs. Usage is king in fantasy football, and Murray has toted the rock 79 times over the last five weeks. However, Denver’s offense is among the worst in recent history. Its inability to move the ball downfield and create scoring opportunities severely limits every player on the offensive side of the ball. That includes Murray who has never been much of a pass-catching threat to help even out the lack of scoring chances. While he had a great game against Arizona — 130 yards and one TD (21.20 PPR) — we don’t anticipate him having much success against the Rams.
Image Source: Isiah J. Downing-SA TODAY Sports
Start: Joe Mixon — Cincinnati Bengals (at NE)
In Cincinnati’s last game before its Bye, Mixon singlehandedly won fantasy matchups for thousands of people. The star back recorded just his second 20-point fantasy score of the season in Cincinnati’s win over the Falcons. Mixon finished the afternoon with 153 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards, and FIVE touchdowns — good for a PPR score of 55.10. Mixon returned two weeks ago following a two-game absence, and the star didn’t disappoint. Mixon rushed for 96 yards on just 14 carries and caught two passes, as well. While Mixon struggled against Tampa Bay (54 total yards), we think he will slice up the Patriots.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Sit: Travis Etienne Jr. — Jacksonville Jaguars (at NYJ)
As gifted as Travis Etienne Jr. is, it’s a bit risky to trust him in your fantasy lineups as of now. Etienne exited Jacksonville’s Week 12 game versus the the Ravens after recording just two carries. He was sidelined for the remainder of the game. In Week 13, the Jaguar RB suited up for a matchup against the Lions, but failed to make much of an impact rushing for 54 yards and losing his second fumble of the season. This past weekend, Etienne rushed for 103 yards but finished with a mediocre PPR total of 12.70. The talented runner hasn’t cracked 13.00 points since Week 9.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Start: James Conner — Arizona Cardinals (vs TB)
Since coming off the injured list, James Conner has picked up where he left off last season. The bruising back was sensational versus the Chargers a few weeks ago, rushing for 120 yards on the ground and adding an additional 20 yards (four receptions) through the air. Conner remains the team’s go-to option near the goal line, and has been seeing massive usage in recent weeks. In Arizona’s loss to Denver, Conner totaled 91 yards and rushed for a touchdown. Over his past five games, Conner has contributed between 13.40-23.60 points in PPR leagues.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Sit: Najee Harris — Pittsburgh Steelers (vs LV)
Najee Harris has arguably been the most disappointing fantasy player in 2022. The second-year back entered the season as a consensus first-round pick. Unfortunately for those who used their top pick on Harris, Pittsburgh’s lead back has underwhelmed in all but one week. Last week, Harris produced his second-best PPR total of the season. That sounds encouraging…until you realize that he finished with 14.60 points. That type of number isn’t bad, but we can’t rely on Harris reaching that mark this week. After all, he has one game above 15 points all year.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Sit: Dameon Pierce — Houston Texans (at TEN)
Piece finally snapped out of his funk against the Browns. The rookie rushed for 73 yards on 18 carries in the loss, after running for just eight yards in each of the two previous games. Unfortunately, the talented rookie is done for the season after Houston placed him on the IR ahead of its loss to the Chiefs. Make sure you double check your lineup and replace Pierce before it’s too late.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Start: Isiah Pacheco — Kansas City Chiefs (vs SEA)
Kansas City’s new lead back has ran well during his rookie campaign. Since Clyde Edwards-Helaire was phased out of the offense, the backfield touches in KC have been split between Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon. Pacheco is clearly the preferred runner, as he’s now up to 95 totes over the past six weeks. Both Kansas City backs are viable in your fantasy lineups, but we particularly like Pacheco in this one as the Chiefs should score plenty of points against the Seahawks.
Image Source: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Start: Rhamondre Stevenson — New England Patriots (vs CIN)
After missing a majority of New England’s previous game against the Cardinals, Stevenson returned to the lineup and exploded against Vegas. The breakout back rushed for 172 yards on 19 carries on the day, adding a late touchdown to bring his PPR total to 24.80. While Pierre Strong Jr. (7) and Kevin Harris (5) stole some touches in the backfield, it’s clear that Stevenson is a bell cow option. With the Patriots needing to pull out a win against the Bengals, expect Stevenson to be utilized early and often in the pivotal matchup.
Image Source: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Start: J.K. Dobbins — Baltimore Ravens (vs ATL)
After being sidelined for two months, J.K. Dobbins has returned to reignite the rushing attack. The former Ohio State rusher has been excellent over the last two weeks, rushing for a combined 245 yards on 28 carries. He was deftly efficient in the loss to the Browns, and one could argue Baltimore should have fed Dobbins the ball even more than it did. Perhaps the coaching staff is being careful with their gifted back who has previously endured several major injuries. Even if he continues seeing 13-to-15 touches per game, Dobbins can be lethal. Especially against a porous defense like the Falcons.
Image Source: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Start: Josh Jacobs — Las Vegas Raiders (at PIT)
The game between the Raiders and Steelers will be played at near freezing temperatures. That all but ensure Pittsburgh will be seeing a heavy dosage of a Vegas run game led by rushing leader Josh Jacobs. Jacobs has rushed for over 90 yards in five-straight, and has seen over 20 carries in 9-of-11 games. Needless to say, Jacobs is an absolute bell cow who will likely see close to 30 touches this game as both teams attempt to avoid the air attack.
Image Source: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sit: D’Andre Swift — Detroit Lions (at CAR)
D’Andre Swift’s dominant Week 1 performance feels like centuries ago. Since coming off the injured list in Week 8, the Lions have been particularly careful with their young running back’s usage. In a game that the Lions dominated offensively, Swift saw just eight carries to Jamaal Williams’ 13. And, third-string RB Justin Jackson even subbed in for six carries of his own. As a pass-catcher, Swift was targeted five times for 23 yards. Surprisingly, the Lions have a ton of mouths to feed and they’re clearly content with limiting Swift’s touches in the interim.
Image Source: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Sit: D’Onta Foreman — Carolina Panthers (vs DET)
D’onta Foreman has been Carolina’s lead back ever since the team traded away Christian McCaffrey. The fifth-year back has been impressive thus far this year, compiling four 100-yard games since Week 7. While he’s not a terrible option for fantasy owners, we would be a bit weary firing him up this week. He’s limited as a pass catcher and has just one touchdown in his last six. Foreman is coming off a dreadful game in which he rushed for just nine yards on 10 carries.
Image Source: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Start: Austin Ekeler — Los Angeles Chargers (at IND)
Ekeler wasn’t quite as dominant as we expected him to be versus the Titans, as Tennessee’s defense was up to the task in slowing down Los Angeles’ star-studded attack. Still, he ended the game with a 15.00 PPR score despite only hauling in two passes. Ekeler remains atop the PPR leaderboards with 309 points on the year, and ranks first among RBs with 95 receptions. In point-per-reception leagues, Ekeler has scored in double-figures every game this season.
Image Source: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sit: Raheem Mostert — Miami Dolphins (at NE)
Fantasy players are in a tough spot with Miami’s two lead backs. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. are plenty capable of carrying an offense on the ground, but the Dolphins clearly favor the passing game. Neither have seen a significant role as receivers as QB Tua Tagovailoa prefers to lean on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the short-to-intermediate areas. As such, Mostert and Wilson Jr. have to excel on the ground to make an impact. While Mostert is coming off an excellent game versus the Bills, Wilson Jr. was not active for that game. With the latter potentially returning to the lineup this week, we’re back to being unsure on either Miami running back moving forward.
Image Source: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Start: Kenneth Walker — Seattle Seahawks (at KC)
Don’t let Walker’s modest Week 15 line fool you. This is a star in the making who was coming off an ankle injury playing against arguably the best defense in the league. Walker will have better days, and that could come as soon as this weekend when the Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs. In what should be one of the highest-scoring games of Week 16, expect some fireworks between Seattle and Kansas City. Prior to his injury, Walker had been ranked RB8 (PPR) since Week 5.
Image Source: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sit: Cam Akers — Los Angeles Rams (vs DEN)
Amidst a disappointing year, Cam Akers put together a solid performance against the Raiders. With Baker Mayfield at the helm, Akers saw work as the clear lead back in a muddled Rams backfield. He finished the day with 12 carries for 42 yards, and punched in a late score from the one-yard line. While it’s something to build upon, we aren’t overly enthusiastic about Akers’ potential for the remainder of the year. The Broncos boast one of the best defenses in the league. We have little faith in the Rams being able to effectively move the ball against this group.
Image Source: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Start: Derrick Henry — Tennessee Titans (vs HOU)
That’s more like it. After failing to reach 100 yards in four-straight, Derrick Henry broke out in a big way over the last two weeks. After putting up 121 yards against the Jags, Henry dominated the Chargers front to the tune of 163 scrimmage yards and a score. This week could be another monster game from the star back. Tennessee takes on the Houston Texans — a team who have historically been battered by Henry over his career. The last time these two teams met, Henry ran for 219 yards.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Start: Dalvin Cook — Minnesota Vikings (vs NYG)
Dalvin Cook has quickly become one of the most under-appreciated runners in the game. The Minnesota lead back has taken a bit of a backseat to Vikings WR Justin Jefferson. While Cook hasn’t seen the same sort of usage he’s seen in the past, he’s never needed a ton of touches to be effective. In fact, Cook’s lessened work-load is likely playing a huge part in staying healthy this season — and health has always been the biggest hurdle for the former Florida State rusher to overcome. He did it all against the Colts in the historic comeback win (190 scrimmage yards) and will look to keep that going against the Giants.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Start: Christian McCaffrey — San Francisco 49ers (vs WAS)
Losing Jimmy Garoppolo for the season certainly limits the 49ers offense a bit. While third-string QB Brock Purdy has filed in admirably, San Francisco’s offense will certainly take a hit now that Garoppolo is sidelined. However, inserting Purdy into the lineup may not have much of an effect on star RB Christian McCaffrey from a fantasy perspective. In fact, McCaffrey has been dominant with Purdy under center — registering PPR totals of 28.60, 29.30, and 25.80 over his last three. The 49ers will continue to feed McCaffrey the rock to make Purdy comfortable.
Image Source: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Start: Nick Chubb — Cleveland Browns (vs NO)
Chubb has been sensational for much of the year, but is coming off back-to-back-to-back forgettable performances. It seems like the Browns offense as a whole has hit a stall since Deshaun Watson made his debut. Still, Chubb remains the league’s biggest home run threat and has the potential to breakout this week against the Saints. New Orleans is coming off giving up 231 rushing yards and two scores to the Falcons.
Image Source: USA TODAY Sports
Start: Saquon Barkley — New York Giants (at MIN)
Nobody has benefitted more from the Giants coaching change this offseason than Saquon Barkley. The former Rookie of the Year looks completely revitalized in Brian Daboll’s offense, and has regained his role as one of the elite backs in the NFL. For fantasy purposes, Barkley has been a monster who is currently ranked RB5 in point-per-reception formats. What’s most impressive is that Barkley is doing that while not even being a major factor in the passing game. Barkley is currently averaging less than half as many receiving yards (21.0) than he did as a rookie (45.1). If the Giants decide to utilize him more as a pass-catcher, Barkley has a chance to finish as the overall RB1 this season.
Image Source: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports