Start: Austin Ekeler — Los Angeles Chargers (vs DEN)
Austin Ekeler has not had a great year running the ball. However, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been a productive player. After finishing with 59 rushing yards in Los Angeles’ loss to the Chiefs, Ekeler has cracked the century mark just once in 14 games. However, he has reached the end zone 10 times on the ground — and seven times through the air. Because of his ability to star in the passing game as well as on the ground, Ekeler remains a top-tier option…especially against a team as bad as the Texans. LA’s star missed last week’s loss after testing positive for Covid. If he is cleared to play, you should start him — but keep track of his status leading up to Sunday’s tilt.
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Sit: Melvin Gordon — Denver Broncos (at LAC)
Gordon was inactive for Denver’s Week 13 loss against Kansas City as he dealt with both hip and shoulder injuries, but the former Charger has played each of the past three weeks. Gordon had a huge day three weeks ago, rushing for a season-high 111 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. This past Sunday…Gordon was dreadful. Denver’s tailback finished the game with zero yards on eight touches. Gordon rushed for -4 yards on seven carries, and caught one pass for four yards. How can you start him after that?
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Start: Rashaad Penny — Seattle Seahawks (vs DET)
We’ve been telling you to sit Seattle running backs all season…but it may be time to put Rashaad Penny in your starting lineup. After gashing the Bears for 135 yards on 17 carries this past weekend, Penny has rushed for 130+ yards in two of his last three outings. Additionally, Seattle’s lead back has found the end zone three times since December 12. Penny is running extremely well and should be considered a good option against the Lions.
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Sit: David Johnson — Houston Texans (at SF)
At one time, David Johnson was a fantasy darling. Johnson was a consensus first-round pick for at least two seasons. However, he has quickly become unplayable. In Houston’s Week 12 loss to the Jets, Johnson rushed for a season-high 39 yards. Yes, 39 yards. Johnson carried the ball 10 times on the day — which is only the second time all season in which he has received 10 or more carries. This past weekend, Johnson was inactive for Houston’s win over the Chargers. Even if he is active for this week’s game, you must keep him on the bench.
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Start: Nick Chubb — Cleveland Browns (at PIT)
Nick Chubb should carry the ball close to 30 times per game. When the ball is in his hands, good things happen. This past weekend, Chubb rushed for 126 yards and one TD on just 17 carries. Additionally, the star hauled in four passes for 58 yards. Those are great numbers for any running back — and they look more impressive considering the opponent (Green Bay). With the Browns needing a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, Chubb should see the ball early and often.
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Sit: Saquon Barkley — New York Giants (at CHI)
When healthy, Saquon remains a somewhat viable fantasy option. Unfortunately, New York’s top back has taken the field six times since injuring his ankle in Week 5 and hasn’t looked great. Before going down with an injured ankle, Barkley put together two impressive performances back-to-back. In PPR formats, Barkley registered totals of 21.40 (Week 3) and 29.60 (Week 4). On Sunday, Barkley carried the ball 15 times for 32 yards. His backup, Devontae Booker, gained 27 yards on six carries. Barkley can’t be trusted with your fantasy season in the balance.
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Start: Jonathan Taylor — Indianapolis Colts (vs LV)
Jonathan Taylor has scored at least 18.00 points (PPR) in all but three games this year. The superstar back has topped that score in 11 of his past 12 games. During that stretch, Taylor has rushed for 100 yards nine times and has scored 19 touchdowns — 17 on the ground, and two in the passing game. Most recently, he rushed for 108 yards against the Cardinals. Since Halloween, Taylor has rushed for 100 yards in six-of-seven contests and has found the end zone 12 times.
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Sit: Adrian Peterson — Seattle Seahawks (vs DET)
A few weeks ago, we told you that starting Adrian Peterson would be a mistake. At that time, the future Hall of Famer was playing for the Tennessee Titans. In three games as a Titan, Peterson rushed for 82 yards on 27 carries. Peterson is now a member of the Seahawks, but our advice remains the same — do not add him to your team, and definitely keep him out of your lineup. Peterson carried the ball 11 times in his Seattle debut…for 16 yards — he has not played since. Penny > Peterson.
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Start: Jeff Wilson Jr. — San Francisco 49ers (vs HOU)
As sixth-round pick Eli Mitchell continues to recover from an injury, the Niners will lean on a handful of players to pick up the slack in the running game. In the team’s convincing win over the Falcons two weeks ago, Jeff Wilson Jr. starred. The fourth-year player gashed Atlanta’s defense for 110 yards and one touchdown. In San Francisco’s loss to Tennessee last week, Wilson was held to 45 yards on 14 carries. However, he reached the end zone for the second week in a row and caught three passes for 12 yards. He should have a much better time this week against the Texans.
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Sit: Javonte Williams — Denver Broncos (at LAC)
Just like his teammate Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams had a terrible performance against the Raiders. The electric rookie finished the contest with a disappointing nine touches — seven carries, two receptions. Williams’ two catches netted eight yards, and he gained a paltry 12 yards on his seven totes. Despite being held to under two yards per rush, Williams did rush for a touchdown — his fourth of the year. While we like Williams and believe he has a bright future, we don’t have too much faith this weekend. Denver’s offense is a mess.
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Start: Joe Mixon — Cincinnati Bengals (vs BAL)
Fantasy managers who exercised patience were rewarded for their efforts on Sunday. Following three-straight disappointing performances, Mixon posted a gem when his managers needed him most. The Pro Bowl tailback was dominant against Baltimore, finishing the game with 135 total yards and two touchdowns. Mixon had his best game as a receiver all season, hauling in six passes for 70 yards. Mixon will look to keep the good times rolling against the Chiefs. In an important game for this young Cincy squad, the team will likely look to Mixon early and often.
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Sit: Josh Jacobs — Las Vegas Raiders (at IND)
Josh Jacobs is enduring a catastrophic year. It’s tough to tell what the main culprit has been. Jacobs hasn’t looked good all year, but the front office did him no favors by completely revamping one of the best offensive lines in all of football over the offseason. Vegas’ offensive line is much better at pass protection than it is run blocking. Jacobs is regularly met in the backfield and hasn’t shown the ability to pick up consistent yardage. He’s coming off his best rushing game of the year (129 yards) against the Broncos, but he was awful as a receiver (one reception for -5 yards) and failed to reach the end zone. It’s going to be difficult for Jacobs to find running lanes versus a stout Indy front.
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Start: Ronald Jones — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYJ)
Throughout the 2021 season, Tampa Bay’s backfield had been solely dominated by Leonard Fournette — who was ranked as RB3 before getting injured. However, Fournette exited Week 15’s dismal loss to the Saints with a hamstring injury. In his absence, Ronald Jones picked up the slack — rushing eight times for 63 yards. The Bucs have shown that the top back in their offense will receive a major workload. In his first start, Jones received 20 carries and three targets in the passing game. He turned those looks into 81 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Jones could be in line for an even bigger day versus the terrible Jets.
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Sit: Ezekiel Elliott — Dallas Cowboys (vs ARI)
Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t looked good all year. He’s been routinely outplayed by backup Tony Pollard. In his return after a one-game absence, Pollard out-rushed Elliott 74-52 despite seeing four fewer carries against the Giants. Neither back looked particularly explosive in the win over Washington, though Elliott did manage to reach the end zone twice. Still, Elliott’s 37 rushing yards (in a blowout) and one passing target doesn’t exactly instill confidence moving forward. Elliott has failed to rush for over 70 yards in 10-straight games.
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Start: Najee Harris — Pittsburgh Steelers (vs CLE)
Pittsburgh rookie Najee Harris is quietly having one of the best seasons for a first-year back. On the year, Harris ranks as RB4 in PPR formats — trailing only Jonathan Taylor, Austin Ekeler, and Joe Mixon. Harris has been the workhorse he was touted to be during his career at Alabama. The rookie is second among running backs in receptions (67) and third in attempts (268). That level of usage has enabled Harris to become one of the top weekly starts throughout the year. With Pittsburgh’s season on the line, expect the team to funnel 30-plus touches to Harris in a must-win game versus the Browns.
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Sit: Myles Gaskin — Miami Dolphins (at TEN)
Gaskin’s days as a high-floor RB2 option appear to be numbered. The third-year back was outshined by Miami native Duke Johnson in just his second game as a Dolphin. In the win over the Jets, Johnson out-carried Gaskin 22-10 on the ground. The more explosive runner was clearly the veteran Johnson, who rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps most concerning was Gaskin seeing zero targets as a receiver. Known for his expertise as a pass-catching back, Johnson could potentially take over in Miami’s backfield as the team pushes for a playoff spot. With Jaylen Waddle returning to the lineup, Gaskin’s opportunities as a pass catcher will be further limited.
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Start: Chase Edmonds — Arizona Cardinals (at DAL)
With James Conner nursing a heel injury, the Cardinals turned to Chase Edmonds as the lead back against the Colts. Despite Arizona’s offensive struggles, Edmonds played well and finished the contest with a season-high 26.70 fantasy points. A gifted pass catcher, Edmonds caught eight-of-nine targets for 71 yards and added an additional 56 yards on the ground with a rushing touchdown. If Conner is forced to sit for another week, expect Edmonds to see upwards of 20-plus touches yet again.
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Sit: James Robinson — Jacksonville Jaguars (at NE)
What an unfortunate turn of events. Coming off a stellar performance the previous week, Robinson headed into Jacksonville’s Week 16 matchup against the Jets hoping to finish the season strong. After just three carries, Robinson exited the game with an injury — and it appears as if his season is done. Robinson reportedly tore his Achilles and now faces a lengthy recovery time. Former Texan Dare Ogunbowale took over in his absence, but it’s probably best to steer clear from all Jacksonville players if you want to win your league.
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Start: Alvin Kamara — New Orleans Saints (vs CAR)
Following an excellent return game in Week 14, Kamara struggled to get going against a stout Bucs defense. There weren’t many running lanes to be had, as Kamara struggled to gain just 18 yards on 11 carries. This comes a week after the All-Pro back went for 120 yards on a career-high 27 totes. Still, we haven’t lost any faith in Kamara who ranks as RB4 on a per-game basis this year — behind only Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler. The star back will be leaned on as the season comes to a close. Looking around at the rest of the skill positions, what other choice do the Saints have but to give Kamara 30 touches per game?
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Sit: Chuba Hubbard — Carolina Panthers (at NO)
Hubbard hasn’t been productive since being inserted into the starting lineup. Playing in place of the injured Christian McCaffrey, Hubbard has failed to seize the opportunity. Through three games, Hubbard has accrued just 82 yards rushing (on 24 carries). His lack of passing game usage (two targets in three games) and the Panthers’ reliance on Cam Newton in the red zone severely limits his ceiling. He failed to get anything going against the Buccaneers, finishing the afternoon with just nine yards on six carries. Unsurprisingly, the Panthers sorely miss the services of McCaffrey.
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