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Alex dives into the top ten running back performances of championship weekend and reflects on the players' 2024 campaigns. With one game to go, do you need a fantasy miracle?
We made it. Whether your fate is already sealed heading into tonight's matchup or hinges on one of the many fantasy-relevant assets partaking in the Detroit vs. San Francisco game on Monday Night Football -- Week 17 was weird. Aside from multiple games on Wednesday and Saturday, which was strange (and enjoyable) in its own right, this week's slate of action thus far featured a bunch of blowouts, low-scoring affairs, and an awkward combination of both. Looking at you, Seattle, and Chicago. Not only that, but the New York Giants -- previously in sole possession of the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft -- defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-33 in a barnburner and fell to the fourth pick due to the strength of schedule tiebreaker. It's a bold strategy for a team searching for their next franchise quarterback.
The Houston Texans looked particularly overmatched on Christmas Day (more on that below) against a suddenly ferocious-looking Baltimore Ravens squad. Here's to hoping they don't fizzle out in the playoffs. In other news, the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals continue to rip off wins. They need some help, but a playoff berth is within reach after a 30-24 OT win against a Broncos team also battling for a post-season bid. Burrow is playing at an elite level, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns while trailing just Lamar Jackson and Jared Goff in passer rating (109.8). Also, Minnesota proved they might be for real -- fending off the Green Bay Packers in a 27-25 home win. Those box score hunting won't realize that the Vikings controlled a large portion of that game. Brian Flores' defense is scary, and Sam Darnold is not getting enough love for his stellar QB play.
Despite the overall play on the field, most of the scoring went to the quarterbacks and pass-catchers this week. For as much touchdown love as the RBs got in Week 16, Week 17 was just as unkind, presenting us with 19 total rushing scores. If that number stands, it'd be the least by far in any week this season -- three fewer than the 22 we had in Week 15. That shows up big time in the chart below; as you'll note, the bar is much lower in Week 17 to qualify for this column. With the above-mentioned MNF tilt on tap, Jahmyr Gibbs and Isaac Guerendo won't be featured here. For the final time in 2024, let's get into the week's top ten running back performances.
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Top 10 Running Backs of the Week (Including SNF)
Here are the top 10 running backs from Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season in PPR scoring:
| Rank | Player | Team | Points |
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | 27.6 |
| 2 | Bijan Robinson | ATL | 24.8 |
| 3 | Derrick Henry | BAL | 24.5 |
| 4 | Bucky Irving | TB | 23 |
| 5 | Saquon Barkley | PHI | 18.9 |
| 6 | Ameer Abdullah | LV | 17.7 |
| T-7 | Jaylen Warren | PIT | 16.2 |
| T-7 | Kyren Williams | LAR | 16.2 |
| 9 | J.K. Dobbins | LAC | 15.3 |
| 10 | Tyjae Spears | TEN | 13.3 |
1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
This marks back-to-back weeks in which Jonathan Taylor has held the top spot on this list. The former Wisconsin Badger had another enormous outing despite his team losing 45-33 to the New York Giants -- effectively ending their playoff hopes. Still, he propelled fantasy managers to victory again in Week 17 with another superb performance.
With quarterback Anthony Richardson (back, foot) ruled out for the meeting, Joe Flacco took over the helm of Indy's offense. Flacco attempted 38 passes in the high-scoring affair, but Taylor would handle his largest workload of the year -- rushing 32 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He was also involved in the passing game, with the veteran calling signals again, bringing in 2-of-4 targets for 11 yards. The fifth-year pro had a long rush of 26, displaying his vision, burst, and straight-line speed.
Jonathan Taylor scores his 2nd touchdown of the game!
(via @Colts)pic.twitter.com/nciPb906BE
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024
The 25-year-old's 2024 output hasn't lived up to his draft price. However, he has been incredible over the last two games, combining for 343 rushing yards and five touchdowns across 61 carries (5.62 YPC). It's a glimpse of the upside he still possesses, which will undoubtedly make him a highly-drafted fantasy asset again in 2025.
The Colts will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. The contest is but a formality.
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta and Washington put the cherry on top of a nutty Sunday slate, ending in a 30-24 OT win for the Commanders. Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels again played above his grade level, but his draft-mate Michael Penix Jr. gave him a run for his money -- making a few flashy plays of his own. Atlanta let Penix a bit more loose in this one, but they still gave Washington a good dose of Bijan Robinson.
The mustard merchant scored another two rushing touchdowns on Sunday night -- bringing his season total to 12 --, and ran for an efficient 5.29 YPC on 17 attempts (90 yards). Seeing him garner five targets was nice, though it only amounted to eight yards and three receptions. Robinson picked up gains of seven, eight (twice), nine, ten, 12, and 13 yards. The TDs were both from one yard out.
Direct Snap@Bijan5Robinson
TOUCHDOWN!NBC | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/KzXIUTK4AP
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 30, 2024
With his output on Sunday night, the former Texas Longhorn is currently firmly entrenched as the PPR RB2, barring Jahmyr Gibbs' performance on Monday Night Football.
Atlanta is still fighting for a playoff spot, so Robinson should get a chance to build on his career bests in a dream matchup with the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 18.
3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
The Houston Texans were gifted with a loss from the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day -- a 31-2 bludgeoning at home in the second matchup of the holiday's doubleheader. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was electric in the win but attempted just 15 passes, while Derrick Henry shouldered his most carries of the season (27).
The 30-year-old is a problem late in the year. He's a load to bring down under normal circumstances, but when the weather gets cold and the fatigue of the NFL season sets in, he's markedly more effective. The veteran piled up 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on Wednesday, hauling in both of his targets for another 18 yards. With the score, he's up to 16 in total (two receiving) -- two shy of matching his career best.
Henry's spectacular season has gone under the radar, with Saquon Barkley and his quest for the record stealing headlines. The Alabama product has accrued 1,783 yards -- the second-most of his career -- and garners a ludicrous 5.85 YPC across 305 totes -- nearly half a yard more than his career-best (5.36).
Even if Baltimore decides to sit their starters in Week 18, the bruising back can take solace in his sensational performance in 2024. The Ravens will take on the visiting Cleveland Browns next weekend.
4. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers were in total control during their 48-14 win against the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Baker Mayfield continued his torrid stretch -- tossing for 359 yards and five TDs on as many incompletions. Tampa Bay did whatever they wanted in Week 17, and rookie Bucky Irving again led the team's backfield with a dominant effort.
The fourth-rounder tallied 113 yards on his 20 attempts -- chipping in another 77 on 4-of-4 receiving in a hyper-efficient outing. After having not gone over 100 rushing yards at all in the first half of the year, Irving has eclipsed the century mark in three of his last five appearances. Additionally, it appears he's officially superseded backfield mate Rachaad White, as he led the duo in targets, receptions, and receiving yards for the third time in a game since Week 12.
BUCKY IRVING DOWN TO THE 1-YARD LINE!
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Ok7fVAyqJh— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
The Oregon alum has been excellent in his debut campaign -- cracking 1,000 yards (1,033) on 5.5 YPC while bringing in 45-of-47 passes for another 397 through the air. Even more impressive is that he'd played more than 50% of snaps just four times heading into Week 17.
Tampa Bay will play the New Orleans Saints next weekend at home. The divisional clash has playoff implications for the Buccos, so Irving and the offense will be all systems go.
5. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Week 17 has been full of blowouts thus far, and the Eagles got the memo -- handily defeating their division-rival Dallas Cowboys 41-7 to complete the season sweep. In two meetings this year, Philadelphia has outscored Dallas 75-13. It's a lost season for America's Team, but the bigger storyline here is Saquon Barkley and his chase for Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season rushing record.
Barkley continued his dazzling campaign on Sunday with another massive yardage total -- compiling 167 yards on 31 carries while "adding" two yards on 2-of-2 receiving. He failed to get in the end zone but still rewarded fantasy managers with a sublime performance. It's the seventh time this season that the Penn State product has gone over 140 yards on the ground and the ninth time he'd rushed for more than five yards per clip.
With one game to go and 101 yards remaining to break Dickerson's 40-year-old record, the former first-round pick stands an excellent chance to make history. Of course, it will come with an asterisk, as it'd have taken Barkley an extra game to do so. Still, 2,000 rushing yards is nothing to scoff at, and he has had a season for the ages. What a difference a change of scenery can make.
Philadelphia will host the New York Giants in the season's final week. It would undoubtedly be poetic if he broke the record against his former team.
6. Ameer Abdullah, Las Vegas Raiders
It's 2024, and Ameer Abdullah may have won you your fantasy championship. Yup -- just how we thought it'd go. The 31-year-old has been quite the surprise over the back half of the season. Thrust into an elevated workload due to injuries surrounding him, the veteran is on a roll; and looks like he's taken the lead-back job in Las Vegas from Alexander Mattison.
Abdullah had previously played the role of passing game specialist but was effective on the ground in the Raiders' 25-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He'd rack up 115 yards on 20 carries and corral 3-of-4 targets for another 32 through the air. It was the first time he reached the 20-carry mark since Week 9 of 2017 and his first-ever 100-yard rushing performance.
Dub powered by AA🔋#LVvsNO | @FastTwitchDrink pic.twitter.com/kKrlLhLC05
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 29, 2024
The Alabama native has been a viable play more often than not recently. Since Week 11, five of his seven appearances have resulted in double-digit fantasy points, with four of them surpassing 17. He's truly been a surprising waiver-wire gem on an offense that not many people thought would be a valuable source of fantasy output. It's always fun to see the random fantasy assets who contribute late in the season, as they are never who we expect.
Las Vegas will play the Los Angeles Chargers next weekend in a game without meaning for either team.
T-7. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Neither of the games on Christmas Day were "games" at all regarding the home team. Pittsburgh at least scored some points on offense -- something that can't be said about the Texans -- but was no match for the Kansas City Chiefs in their 29-10 loss. The Steelers have dropped three straight games (all against playoff teams), falling to 10-6.
Despite receiving two fewer carries than backfield mate Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren makes this feature due to his work through the air. The third-year pro hauled in 5-of-6 targets for 41 yards in the loss, picking up another 71 on 11 totes. It's the second week in a row he'd garnered double-digit carries -- something he had done just thrice previously in 2024. Moreover, it was the second straight game he notched five receptions and at least five targets.
Warren wasn't himself earlier this season after working through a knee injury, but he has been exponentially better since the Steelers' Week 9 bye. Over that time, the 26-year-old has averaged 12.4 touches and 72.75 scrimmage yards per game with a lone touchdown. He's the PPR RB21 in that frame.
Pittsburgh will meet with a surging Cincinnati Bengals squad in Week 18.
T-7. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
I've said it before, but I took a big L on Kyren Williams this season. I staunchly believed that he would not repeat his success from 2023, but I will proudly wear my shame. Never will I doubt him again.
The Notre Dame product played his typical do-it-all role in LA's 13-9 win against the Arizona Cardinals, rushing for 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 handles -- churning out another 16 through the air while recording three receptions on as many targets. After a three-game stretch in which he commanded a single target, his passing game work has come back around.
Williams scored his sixteenth TD of the year on Saturday -- surpassing his previous best of 15 scrimmage scores set a season ago. Bear in mind that he did not hit pay dirt at all from Weeks 8 to 11. His nose for the end zone is rare.
The Rams have a divisional bout on tap with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 that holds playoff implications for both squads. It should be a good one.
9. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles was fortunate to get J.K. Dobbins back from his injury stint with teammate Gus Edwards (ankle) stuck sitting out of their 40-7 thrashing of the New England Patriots. He was returning from a knee injury that forced him to injured reserve but looked no worse for wear in the lopsided affair. He'd go for 76 yards on his 19 totes -- including a two-yard touchdown -- adding seven yards on his lone target.
JK Dobbins is back in the end zone!
Chargers lead 37-7.
📺: #LACvsNE on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/RCxb1MKnfP— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024
Dobbins had just one gain longer than nine yards -- a 28-yard run on the Chargers' first drive of the fourth quarter. Their starters would be benched after that possession. It was good to see him back and at it after a brief absence, particularly with him shouldering most of the load in the backfield. Running backs Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal combined for 13 carries (54 yards) -- seven of which came after the first-stringers exited.
Edwards logged two DNPs to close out this past week of practices, and his status is uncertain leading up to a Week 18 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. With LA's playoff spot clinched, he may be resting anyway -- amongst a few of his teammates. Whatever the case, if this is the last time we see Dobbins in 2024, he's undoubtedly redeemed himself on the field and for fantasy.
10. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
With backfield mate Tony Pollard (ankle, illness) inactive for Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tyjae Spears (concussion) operated as the feature back. That is until he sustained an injury of his own -- a concussion -- late in the third quarter that would knock him from the contest. He was efficient while he played, though, and was a nice fill-in against a Jags' defense that's limited opponents to one of the league's lower yards per carry figures (4.3).
Spears amassed 95 yards on 20 carries before exiting but did little with his four targets (3/8). Still, four targets a game would put him on pace for 68 over the length of a season, and he's averaged five per game over the last three. Week 17 was a low bar, so even though it might not feel like a top-ten performance -- he'll make the list anyway.
The Tulane product could be called upon again to work in a starting capacity if Pollard is forced to miss another game. Not only has the veteran been battling an ankle injury for the past few weeks, but he also came down with the flu on Saturday and couldn't travel to north Florida. With a meaningless Week 18 bout with the Houston Texans lined up next weekend, we may see Spears get a full run of the offense again.
Thanks for reading, and best of luck in your matchups in Week 18 if that still applies!
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