Week 15 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Running Backs: Jonathan Taylor due for another great week

Last week, king Derrick Henry led fantasy points for running backs with 36.2 fantasy points off of 215 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Cleveland Brown duo of Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb also placed themselves in the top ten for week 14’s running backs fantasy points. Start/sit running backs Mike Davis, David Montgomery, Cam Akers, and Jonathan Taylor also placed themselves in the top ten for fantasy points. It is the second round of fantasy playoffs in week 15 (or possibly your first). Check out who you should start or sit at running back this weekend.

Start ‘Em

Jonathan Taylor will need to make the list again for start ’em running backs after leading the Colts to an impressive game last week over the Las Vegas Raiders, where he had 20 attempts for 150 yards and two touchdowns. He put up the second-most fantasy points last week with 30.5 points and should be a starter this week too. The Colts will take on the Houston Texans, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season. They allowed David Montgomery to have 24.5 points last week and they could allow Taylor to have more. Taylor put up 22.5 points on them two weeks ago, and I expect a similar outcome. He has projected 16.2 points as RB9 next week.

David Montgomery has been keeping the ball rolling in the last three weeks so it is only right that he gets put back on the start ’em list this week again. Montgomery has averaged 25.6 fantasy points over the last three weeks and is on a major hot streak for fantasy. Plus, his offensive line has looked way better in recent games and he has been getting more touches in the backfield. Minnesota does well at defending the run, but without a possible Eric Kendricks in their defense, Montgomery has a chance to pop off again. I would start Montgomery until he cools off, he has projected 15.65 points as RB11 next week.

Mike Davis has been putting up great numbers in fantasy this season. He has averaged 15 carries, 56.7 yards, and one touchdown in the past three weeks. And, Matt Rhule has already ruled Christian McCaffrey out for another week of football. Davis put up two touchdowns last week to add up for 26.3 fantasy points against the Denver Broncos, who have a solid rushing defense. Davis will be taking on the Green Bay Packers next week, who have allowed the fourth-most1 fantasy points to running backs this season and have a very allowing defense. Davis has projected for 11.6 fantasy points next week but has a high ceiling to make the top ten list in standings again.

James Conner has had some seriously rough weeks recently with being out of two games and only having 18 rushing yards last week. He still leads the backfield in attempts in recent games and should pick up the slack next week. The Steelers will be taking on the Bengals in a much-needed win, and the Bengals have allowed the 8th most fantasy points to running backs this season. I expect Conner to put up at least double-digit fantasy figures next weekend in an attempted comeback. Especially if the Steelers are up early on the Bengals, the run game will be in full effect next week.

Raheem Mostert has faced some seriously good rushing defenses in the past three weeks going up against the Rams, the Bills, and the Washington Football Team. He has only recorded one game above 10 points in that span and one with 9 points. But, he still leads the team in attempts and things should lighten up for him next week against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to running backs this season and I would expect Mostert to be present in the game. His touches with Jeff Wilson are a little concerning, but I think Mostert is still the favorite for this offense. He has projected for 13.35 fantasy points next week.

Sit ‘Em

Clyde-Edwards Helaire has not put up a rushing touchdown in four weeks and was struggling with injury for a week two weeks ago. He put up 14.1 fantasy points last week against Miami, but most of his points came in the passing game. He will be taking on the New Orleans Saints next weekend, who have allowed the least amount of fantasy points to running backs this season. Considering he has bust-type days, I would expect next week to be one of them against one of the best rushing defenses in the league. Clyde has projected for 13.25 fantasy points next weekend. I would not recommend starting him in a fantasy playoff game unless it’s necessary.

Leonard Fournette could be posed to start this weekend due to Ronald Jones’s recent placement on the COVID reserve list. However, before this weekend, he was originally a healthy scratch for the Buccaneers and has not done much this year. He has not played since week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs and has not put up more than 10 points since week 9, where he only had one rushing attempt. I would not expect Fournette to do much against the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the fifth least amount of fantasy points to running backs this year. He has correctly projected 9.1 fantasy points next week, and should not be a starter.

Chris Carson will have quite the challenge in front of him this weekend against the Washington Football Team. They have allowed the least amount of fantasy points to running backs this month and the 7th least for the entire season. I expect the Seahawks to go heavy through the air this weekend against them and leave Carson slightly out of the picture. He has put up three straight double-digit games in the past three weeks, but his touches have averaged out at 11 over the past three weeks as well. I would not anticipate him to live up to the usual Chirs Carson standards this weekend. He has projected 16.05 fantasy points this weekend, but I would not expect him to live up to the hype.