Admin December 25, 2024
Commanders stun Eagles, Bengals keep playoff hopes alive
Mackenzie Salmon reacts to the biggest storylines from Week 16 in the NFL.
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This is it. It’s championship week for millions of fantasy football managers. Decisions and performances this weekend will decide who takes home the title and bragging rights for the next eight months until the 2025 season starts.
If you’ve made it this far in your league, you’ve either been lucky, good, or just the right amount of both. You likely have some of the top performers in fantasy football with a solid roster.
But if you’re facing high-pressure lineup decisions this week, we’ve got you covered. Here are five running backs to start and five to sit this week:
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 17 RBs
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
Williams has played very well in the fantasy football stretch run and into the playoffs. He’s had at least 100 yards rushing in three of his last four games and scored four touchdowns in that span.
This week he gets another great matchup. Arizona’s been one of the worst run defenses in the league in December. The Cardinals have allowed 154 total yards per game and five touchdowns to opposing running backs in the last four games. Williams had an okay game against the Cardinals earlier this season (52 total yards, one touchdown) but these are two very different teams from what they were in Week 2.
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Tampa Bay suffered a gut-wrenching loss to the Cowboys that could doom their bid for an NFC South title. That’s not for lack of trying by Irving, who was the best running back in that game. He had the Buccaneers’ first touchdown as well as 82 total yards.
The Buccaneers could bounce back at home against the Panthers and Irving should be a big part of that. Carolina’s allowing the most rushing yards per game by a wide margin. Irving had his best game of the season the last time these teams played with 185 total yards and a touchdown. Arizona’s James Conner had an RB6 performance last week against this defense. It’s good for opposing running backs.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Tony Pollard was a start for us last week but Spears had the better game. Pollard had just 40 total yards while Spears had 66 yards and two touchdowns. He’s now scored four touchdowns in his last two games as the more effective player in the Titans’ backfield.
This week, the Titans face a Jaguars team with one of the worst run defenses in the league. Since their bye in Week 12, the Jaguars have given up 122.5 total yards per game and four touchdowns to opposing running back groups. That included 157 total yards to the Titans’ backs in Week 14. Pollard had the majority of the production in that one but Spears could be an opportunistic FLEX play, given his recent form.
Kenneth Walker III or Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (at Chicago Bears)
Yes, the Seattle Seahawks are in at least the bottom quarter of the league in rush offense by standard or advanced metrics. The offense failed to crack 100 rushing yards for the eighth time this season in Week 16’s loss to the Vikings.
But it’s tough to find a bigger shift in opponent than what the Seahawks are seeing from Week 16 to Week 17. Minnesota’s arguably the best run defense in the NFL, while Chicago’s been one of the worst in recent weeks. The Bears have allowed 179 total yards per game and seven touchdowns to opposing running backs in their last five games. Even omitting the two games against Detroit in that span, they’re still giving up 149 total yards and six touchdowns.
Walker III left Week 16 against the Vikings with an ankle injury. If he’s unable to go, Charbonnet should be a great play in a pinch.
Audric Estime, Denver Broncos (at Cincinnati Bengals)
It’s tough to predict who will be the Broncos’ lead back from week to week. In Week 16 against the Chargers, the rookie Estime was the lead back with nine carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. He’s the fourth different player to lead the Broncos in rushing yards over their last five games.
He could be a good FLEX play this week if available. The Bengals run defense has been in rough shape after their Week 12 bye. Since then, Cincinnati’s allowed 169 yards per game and five touchdowns to opposing running back groups. This has the makings of a shootout but the Broncos could lean on the run game and limit Cincinnati’s possessions on offense.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 17 RBs
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Hubbard was a season-saver again in Week 16. The Panthers’ lead back had 165 total yards and two touchdowns in his best fantasy performance of the season. He’s been a top-10 RB in standard formats in three of his last five games.
If you can, consider benching Hubbard this week. The Buccaneers’ run defense has been one of the best in the league over their last five games. Opposing running back groups are averaging just 71 total yards per game and have scored just two touchdowns in that span. Hubbard had one of his worst games of the season last time out against Tampa Bay in Week 13 with 43 yards and a lost fumble. It won’t be easy going on Sunday again.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (at Philadelphia Eagles)
Dowdle struggled against the Buccaneers on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 16 with just 23 rushing yards, his fewest since Week 11 against Houston, and another 28 receiving. Things won’t be much better this week against the Eagles.
Philadelphia’s held opponent running back groups to 86 total yards per game and one touchdown over their last four games. That includes games against two of the best rushing offenses in the NFL, Baltimore and Washington. Dallas is far from their level and Dowdle will likely have tough sledding again this week.
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at Cleveland Browns)
Achane had his best performance of the season against the 49ers with 190 total yards and a touchdown at home. That was surprisingly his first 100-yard rushing game of the season.
But that luck probably won’t continue this week. The Browns at home are one of the tougher run defenses in the league. Overall, they’ve allowed 116 total yards and three touchdowns to opposing running back groups in their last four games. Their opponents in that stretch were the Broncos, Steelers, Chiefs, and Bengals, all of which are better running offenses than Miami by advanced metrics. Achane put on a show last week but don’t expect that again on the road in Week 17.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Stevenson was a start last week and managed 73 total yards, one touchdown, and a fumble lost against the Bills. It was not an outstanding day, but he finally found the end zone after a five-week scoring drought.
His struggles may continue again in Week 17. The Chargers’ run defense was pushed by the Broncos and Buccaneers in the last two weeks but those offenses are much better at running the ball than the Patriots. Los Angeles can key in on stopping Stevenson and forcing the Patriots to pass.
Isaac Guerendo or Patrick Taylor Jr., San Francisco 49ers (vs. Detroit Lions)
The health of the San Francisco backfield has been inconsistent all season. In the latest injury curveball, Guerendo missed Week 16 against the Dolphins but could be back for the home finale against Detroit.
Regardless of which back gets the start, it’d be best to leave them on the bench. The Lions’ run defense is one of the best in the league. Buffalo and Green Bay have had success against them but the 49ers’ offense isn’t on the same level as those units at this point.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 17
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 17.
→ Kickers are people, too. Here are the most clutch kickers to start, and some to sit, for Week 17.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 17.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 17 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 17.