The running back position has been volatile this season as good run-stopping teams have been able to hold even the most adept ball runners in check. This week, players like Chris Ivory, Ray Rice, Ryan Mathews, Bobby Rainey are virtually unstartable. Even DeMarco Murray figures to see limited production against an increasingly solid Giants defense that has held LeSean McCoy and Adrian Peterson to fewer than seven fantasy points in recent weeks.
Similarly, because of their situations and their matchups, stay away from guys like Donald Brown, Trent Richardson, Lamar Miller, and Andre Ellington this week.
Despite his tough matchup, Jamaal Charles is certainly a must-start against a Chargers D that started out good but have allowed 11+ points to Daniel Thomas, Knowshon Moreno, Alfred Morris, and Darrel Young over the last three weeks. Same goes for Reggie Bush and Joique Bell who face a Bucs run D that started out tough but have given up 11+ fantasy points to Antone Smith, Marshawn Lynch, DeAngelo Williams, Mike Tolbert, Jacquizz Rodgers, and LeSean McCoy over the last six weeks.
On the favorable side, definitely make sure to roll out Andre Brown, Matt Forte, Frank Gore, Eddie Lacy, Zac Stacy, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Knowshon Moreno, and Alfred Morris this week. DeAngelo Williams could end up a decent start but has been severely limited by the running-back-by-committee, as is also the case with Chris Ogbonnaya. Ben Tate could be a solid start against the Jags but has been limited by his rib injury. If Darren McFadden doesn’t play, Rashad Jennings looks like a great start.
Let’s take a look at all of the running back matchups for Week 12.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 12 Opponents |
|
1 |
12.3 | Ravens | Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell |
|
2 |
12.77 | Jets | Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce |
|
3 |
12.88 | Cardinals | Donald Brown, Trent Richardson |
|
4 |
13.41 | Bengals | BYE |
|
5 |
13.91 | Panthers | Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas |
|
6 |
14.39 | Buccaneers | Reggie Bush, Joique Bell |
|
7 |
14.4 | Chiefs | Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead |
|
8 |
14.51 | Colts | Andre Ellington, Rashard Mendenhall |
|
9 |
14.57 | Bills | BYE |
|
10 |
15 | Seahawks | BYE |
|
11 |
15.3 | Chargers | Jamaal Charles |
|
12 |
15.34 | Giants | DeMarco Murray |
|
13 |
15.9 | Lions | Bobby Rainey, Brian Leonard |
|
14 |
15.98 | Texans | Maurice Jones-Drew |
|
15 |
16.48 | Packers | Adrian Peterson |
|
16 |
16.69 | Raiders | Chris Johnson, Shonn Greene |
|
17 |
16.87 | Eagles | BYE |
|
18 |
17.34 | Browns | Le’Veon Bell |
|
19 |
17.94 | Saints | Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith |
|
20 |
18.07 | 49ers | Alfred Morris |
|
21 |
18.1 | Patriots | Knowshon Moreno, Montee Ball |
|
22 |
18.28 | Falcons | Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram |
|
23 |
19.65 | Broncos | Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, LeGarrette Blount |
|
24 |
20.36 | Steelers | Chris Ogbonnaya, Willis McGahee, Fozzy Whittaker |
|
25 |
20.87 | Bears | Zac Stacy |
|
26 |
21.18 | Vikings | Eddie Lacy, James Starks |
|
27 |
21.19 | Titans | Darren McFadden (Q), Rashad Jennings, Marcel Reece |
|
28 |
22.19 | Jaguars | Ben Tate, Dennis Johnson |
|
29 |
22.34 | Redskins | Frank Gore |
|
30 |
23.11 | Rams | Matt Forte |
|
31 |
23.22 | Dolphins | DeAngelo Williams, Mike Tolbert, Jonathan Stewart |
|
32 |
24.03 | Cowboys | Andre Brown, Brandon Jacobs |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
