Week 13 RB Start, Sit Fantasy Strategy: Fire Up Ronald Jones

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If you are in doubt about some players in a tough spot this week, or players that haven’t produced yet this season, you have come to the perfect spot. We dive into a few names to start in borderline matchups, and also talk about players to fade. You can also check out our rankings area to see where players on your team rank and their projections heading into Week 13. Be sure to check out the rest of our weekly fantasy football content.

Start Em

Ronald Jones @Jacksonville

Over the past three games, Jacksonville has allowed four 100+ yard rushers. Yes, four. Indy had Marlon Mack and Jonathan Williams both go for over 100 yards. Carlos Hyde had 160 yards on 19 attempts, and of course Derrick Henry crushed last week with a 19-159-2 line. The Jaguars rank 32nd in DVOA against the run, and are allowing 5.4 yards per attempt. This is a great spot for Ronald Jones, even if he hovers around the 15 touch mark. Jacksonville has allowed the 7th most fantasy points per game to running backs this season, and the third most over the last five weeks.

Miles Sanders @ Miami

Regardless of Jordan Howard’s status, Miles Sanders should find his way into starting lineups. We would like Sanders more if Howard is out, but either way this is a great spot. Miami has allowed the 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. Sanders has seen double-digit rushing attempts over the last three games, and has seen 12 targets. He really should be getting more work as one of the top playmakers that the Eagles have right now. Philadelphia should have a favorable game script to get Sanders around 15 touches.

Jamaal Williams @ New York Giants

Even with everyone healthy, Jamaal Williams has a clear role in this offense. He has 24 rushing attempts over the last two weeks, and has nine targets. New York is a defense that struggles against running backs in the passing game, and that is where Williams can thrive. Green Bay does not have a legitimate weapon in the passing game outside of Davante Adams, so I would expect both backs to have some upside this week. Williams is a decent FLEX option this week.

Jonathan Williams Vs. Tennessee

It isn’t a great matchup for Jonathan Williams, who will see a full workload with Marlon Mack set to miss another game. Tennessee ranks 5th in DVOA against the run, and are allowing a pedestrian four yards per carry. However, fantasy backs are still producing decent numbers against them due to volume and finding the end zone. Williams had 26 rushing attempts and caught all three targets against Houston. His workload is going to make him a strong start as long as Mack is out.

Devonta Freeman Vs. New Orleans

Devonta Freeman got in a full practice, which is crucial for the matchup against New Orleans. It is a Thursday game, so it was important for him to get work in early. Freeman is worth a start as a low-end RB this week or FLEX play. He has more PPR potential here, where he saw four targets against the Saints in limited action, but 19 over the prior four games.

Sit Em

David Johnson Vs. Los Angeles

This is more just a friendly reminder at this point, as David Johnson has seven touches over the last two weeks. Kenyan Drake has gotten a majority of the work, and Chase Edmunds is also nearing a return. If Edmunds gets a crack at 5-7 touches, this is a major concern for the whole committee, and that wouldn’t be good heading into the fantasy playoffs. Outside of Mark Ingram last week, running backs have had pedestrian games against the Rams, and gotten more of their work in the passing game.

Chris Carson Vs. Minnesota

Chris Carson’s fumbles might have finally caught up with him, as he has four in the last three games, and seven lost all year long. This isn’t even counting the ones Seattle still recovered. he saw just 12 touches last week, and has generally been around a 20 touch guy for most of the season. That might not be the case anymore with Rashaad Penny creeping in with more efficient touches lately. Combining this with the 4th best defense, who have allowed the 8th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing backs, I am scrambling for other options.

Jaylen Samuels Vs. Cleveland

With Benny Snell back, he really took over the game against Cincinnati, seeing 22 touches. Jaylen Samuels took a back seat, and has played back-to-back weeks under 30 snaps. Even in PPR leagues he has a big question mark with the workload drop off, and overall this offense is not great given they are rotating between 2nd and 3rd string quarterbacks.

Kalen Ballage Vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia is the 8th best defense against the run, and while the offense hasn’t been great, they should create a negative game script for Kalen Ballage. He continues to be the starting back, although you couldn’t really tell based on production. Despite the workload, Ballage is just not a guy to slot into lineups. The Eagles have allowed the 9th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing backs this season.