RADIO
No. 12 - James Cook (Buffalo Bills) vs. New York Jets
Cook has missed just one game this year: the Bills’ previous matchup against the Jets. He’s healthy this time around and will look to build on a hot stretch of games that includes finishing as a top-five fantasy running back in two consecutive weeks. He has 205 rushing yards and four touchdowns during that span.
The Jets have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024, surrendering 98.6 rushing yards per game to the position. The opponent isn’t ideal, but Cook has the track record and recent success to overcome a difficult matchup. He sneaks inside the top 12 this week, flashing a well-rounded skill set capable of picking up rushing yards, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
No. 11 - Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) at Minnesota Vikings
Jacobs put together five consecutive top-six running back finishes before dropping to RB16 overall last week against New Orleans. The Packers had such a massive lead that they were able to spread the ball around in the rushing attack. That might not be the case this week in a much more challenging matchup against the Vikings.
Minnesota has surrendered the third-fewest rushing yards, seventh-fewest receiving yards, and third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Jacobs was merely the overall RB25 when he last faced the Vikings, but that performance came on just nine carries. He still mustered an impressive 5.7 yards per carry and caught four passes. If he can replicate that showing with a few more carries and a touchdown, he’ll be an easy top-12 option once again.
No. 10 - Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hubbard has been spectacular this season, ranking as the overall RB11 and eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. Last week, he ripped apart the Cardinals for 152 rushing yards, 13 receiving yards, and two touchdowns while ranking second among running backs in fantasy points.
This week, Hubbard faces the Buccaneers, who have allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards and eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. However, they have also surrendered the fourth-most catches and receiving yards to the position, and that’s an area in which Hubbard specializes. He remains a fringe top-10 fantasy option and should be started in all leagues this week.
No. 9 - Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Denver Broncos
Brown finished as the overall RB20 last week against the Browns. That was his worst fantasy ranking since Week 8, which is clearly indicative of just how well he has played lately. He should jump back into the top 10 tier this week against the Broncos as he maintains his high-volume, high-scoring role on offense.
The Broncos have allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2024, but they’ve been a bit softer against the position through the air, surrendering the eighth-most catches and sixth-most receiving yards. Denver has also allowed the second-most receiving touchdowns to running backs in 2024.
No. 8 - Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Williams seems to have hit his stride again lately, rushing for 230 yards over his last two games. He found the end zone last Sunday against the Jets, scoring his fifth touchdown in as many games. It’s been impressive to see Williams maintain a steady, productive role in the Rams’ offense when established stars like Cooper Kupp haven’t been as successful.
This week, Williams takes on the Cardinals. Arizona had a strong run defense near the start of the season, but the unit has gotten much softer lately. Just last week, they let Chuba Hubbard break free for 165 total yards and a pair of touchdowns. On the year, Arizona has surrendered the seventh-most rushing yards, ninth-most catches, ninth-most receiving yards, and 10th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
No. 7 - Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Carolina Panthers
Irving remained the Buccaneers’ top running back last week, rushing 16 times for 68 yards on the ground. He also scored a touchdown and added 24 receiving yards. To top things off, Irving’s ball security continues to give him an edge over Rachaad White, who coughed up a game-losing fumble on Sunday against Dallas.
This week, Irving takes on a Panthers defense that has allowed the most rushing yards, most fantasy points, and third-most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2024. Last week, they surrendered 158 scrimmage yards and one touchdown to James Conner in the first half alone. Plus, when Irving last faced Carolina, he racked up 185 yards and a touchdown while finishing as the overall RB1 in fantasy football. Once again, he’s a top option this weekend.
No. 6 - De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins) at Cleveland Browns
Achane ranks as the overall RB7 in fantasy football this year, aided by last week’s strong showing against the 49ers in which he totaled 120 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He has quietly emerged as one of the top pass-catching running backs in football, largely thanks to his dominance on the ground.
This week, Achane takes on a Browns defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points but the 12th-most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2024. Even a tougher matchup isn’t much of a concern for Achane’s fantasy managers. He has repeatedly proven that he can gash even the strongest defenses with his dual-threat ability and game-changing speed.
No. 5 - Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) at New York Giants
Taylor is coming off one of his best games ever, registering 29 carries, 218 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. He ranked as the overall RB1 in fantasy football, and it wasn’t a particularly close competition. This was a huge reward for fantasy managers who demonstrated patience in Taylor after he finished outside the top 24 running backs just one week earlier.
While Taylor might not be able to last Sunday’s historic performance this week, he’s still a top fantasy option against a Giants defense that struggles to stay off the field. New York has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards, eighth-most receiving yards, and eighth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Look for Taylor to feast once again.
No. 4 - Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) at Houston Texans
Henry cracked the top 12 running backs once again last week, rushing 24 times and totaling 189 scrimmage yards. He was a touchdown away from being a top-five fantasy option, but instead, he went a fourth consecutive game without finding the end zone.
Henry’s scoreless streak came to an end on Christmas Day as he rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown against a Texans team that had no answer for the Ravens. Baltimore’s lead running back forms a lethal pairing with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has also demonstrated elite rushing skills. Henry remains a top fantasy option heading into Week 18.
No. 3 - Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) at Washington Commanders
Robinson impressed in Michael Penix Jr.’s first career start last week, totaling 103 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. He was a top-eight fantasy running back for the third time in four games, and that trend should continue this week against the Commanders.
Washington has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards, eighth-most rushing touchdowns, and 13th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Just last week, Saquon Barkley finished as the overall RB4 against Washington with 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Robinson is just one tier below Barkley, but he should have no trouble delivering a top-five finish of his own.
No. 2 - Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) at San Francisco 49ers
Gibbs had a huge game with David Montgomery (knee) sidelined. The second-year running back tallied 109 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, and one touchdown against the Bears, ranking as the overall RB7 on the week. He has now been a top-seven fantasy running back in each of his last two contests.
Gibbs’ success should continue this week against the 49ers, who have allowed the fourth-most rushing touchdowns and 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Just last week, they were exposed by De’Von Achane, who tallied 120 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, and a touchdown. We could see a similar line from Gibbs, whose dual-threat ability makes him a steady top fantasy option.
No. 1 - Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Barkley’s terrific first season with the Eagles continued last week as he rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns against the Commanders. It was his second game of the year without a catch, but that didn’t stop him from ranking as the overall RB4. Neither did quarterback inconsistency; Barkley didn’t miss a beat after Jalen Hurts (concussion) was ruled out and replaced by Kenny Pickett. That should be encouraging for fantasy managers as Hurts is at risk of missing Week 17 and Pickett is trending toward starting.
Dallas’ run defense has produced a mixed bag of results this year. They’re allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs, but they also held Bucky Irving to just 68 rushing yards last week. Furthermore, Barkley’s third-worst fantasy performance of the year came against the Cowboys; when he faced them in Week 10, he totaled 78 yards and zero touchdowns while finishing as the RB25 overall. Even with quarterback uncertainty and a modest matchup, Barkley, who has been elite this year, remains our top choice at the running back position.
