Week 12 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I’ll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs

1. Christian McCaffrey at Seahawks (Thur.)
2. Travis Etienne at Texans
3. Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Packers (Thur.)
4. Austin Ekeler vs. Ravens
5. Alvin Kamara at Falcons
6. D’Andre Swift vs. Bills
7. Saquon Barkley vs. Patriots
8. Jonathan Taylor vs. Buccaneers
9. Josh Jacobs vs. Chiefs
10. Breece Hall vs. Dolphins (Fri.)

Week 12 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 12 Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Rachaad White at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): White has been on absolute fire in the stat sheets, scoring at least 15 PPR points in six straight games including 17-plus in each of his last four contests. That trend should continue against the Colts, who have allowed 15-plus points to running backs seven times. What’s more, this unit has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to enemy runners since Week 8.

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Start ’Em

Isiah Pacheco at Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Pacheco’s numbers have not been all that great in recent weeks, but I’m sticking with him based on a matchup against the Raiders. Their defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs, including four who have beaten them for 18 or more points. Look for Pacheco to post an attractive total in this battle of AFC West rivals.

Gus Edwards at Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Edwards has been an end-zone magnet, scoring 10 touchdowns on the season including at least one in each of his last five games. He’ll be in the flex starter conversation against the Chargers, who have allowed five rushing touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points over their last four games. Get the veteran in your startling lineup for this AFC competition.

Jaylen Warren at Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Don’t look now, but Warren has all the looks of a potential fantasy star. He’s scored 14-plus points in three straight games, including last week’s 23.5-point performance against a tough Browns run defense. I’d start him against the Bengals, who have allowed 12-plus PPR points to running backs eight times including four who have scored more than 20 points.

Jerome Ford at Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Ford isn’t scoring eye-popping totals, but he has scored 11-plus points in three straight games. I’ll take that in a flex starter. So, while Kareem Hunt closed the gap in touches last week compared to the previous week, I’m still starting Ford against the Broncos. While this defense has been better lately, it’s still allowing over six yards per carry since Week 8.

More Starts

Raheem Mostert at Jets (Fri. 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Alexander Mattison vs. Bears (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Rachaad White at Colts ($6,100)
Jerome Ford at Bengals ($5,600)
Jaylen Warren at Bengals ($5,400)

Week 12 Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

James Cook at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Cook has been putting up nice totals lately, scoring a combined 31.2 points in his last two games. So, while that makes it tough to sit him, I’d temper expectations against the Eagles. No team in the league has allowed fewer fantasy points and rushing yards to runners. What’s more, backs have averaged the eighth-fewest points a game against them as pass catchers.

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Sit ’Em

A.J. Dillon at Lions (Thur. 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Dillon will be tough to sit, as he will see a good workload with Aaron Jones injured. The problem is the matchup, as the Lions have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to enemy backs. What’s more, runners are averaging just 3.5 yards per rush against them. If you do start Dillon this week, it shouldn’t be as more than a risk-reward flex option.

Javonte Williams vs. Browns (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Shockingly, Williams saw a huge decline in snaps and touches in last week’s win over the Vikings. In fact, Samaje Perine outscored him. That’s a bit of a concern, as is a matchup against the Browns. Their defense has allowed just two backs to score more than 14.2 points this season, so Williams managers should temper their expectations.

Zach Charbonnet vs. 49ers (Thur. 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Charbonnet will be tough to sit this week, as he’ll see plenty of volume with Kenneth Walker banged up. As a result, I’d temper expectations against the 49ers. Their defense has been tough on running backs, allowing just five rushing scores and 18.3 points per game to the position this season. Don’t be surprised if the rookie’s totals are less than stellar.

Chuba Hubbard at Titans (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hubbard had taken over as the lead back in Carolina, but he was more of a committee runner last week in a loss to the Cowboys. In fact, Hubbard and Miles Sanders both saw 12 touches and almost an equal amount of snaps. I’d fade both of these runners in what’s been a brutally bad offense against the Titans, who can be tough on the position in neutral scripts.