Week 17 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Running Backs: David Johnson due for another great week

Last week, the NFL world saw one of the best single-game performances from running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara put up 56.2 fantasy points from 155 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in the game. He led the week in fantasy points by over 30 points from second place. Guys like Samanje Perine and A.J Dillon also made their first appearance in the top ten for fantasy football standings. This is the final week of the fantasy football season, and running backs may be kept out of their games depending on their playoff status. Check out who you should start and sit for running backs in week 17.

Start ‘Em

David Montgomery cannot get off of his fantasy football hot streak. He has put up 20+ fantasy points in the least five weeks of play now. Last week, he recorded his lowest fantasy total in that stand with 20.1 fantasy points from 95 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and two catches for 26 yards. Next week, the Chicago Bears will take on the Green Bay Packers in a must-win game to make the playoffs. While the Green Bay Packers have a solid defense, they struggle to defend the run. They have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Montgomery has projected for 14.75 fantasy points next weekend.

J.K Dobbins recorded a solid week against the New York Giants last game, putting up 77 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He placed 21st in the standings with 13.7 fantasy points. While Gus Edwards has been eating away at his attempts, Dobbins has been more consistent in the backfield with an average of 10+ touches per game. Dobbins has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last five games. Next week, the Ravens will be taking on the Cincinnati Bengals in a game they need to win to have a shot at going to the playoffs. The Bengals have allowed the 10th most fanasty points to their opponents this season and Dobbins should take advantage. He has projected for 11.9 fantasy points next week.

Malcolm Brown will be taking over the starting position in the backfield for the Rams’ upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams lost Darrel Henderson last game due to injury, and they will also most likely see their second straight game without rookie Cam Akers. This bodes well for Brown to take a majority of the touches in the backfield. The Rams will likely be without Jared Goff this weekend too after he underwent surgery to his thumb. A run-heavy weekend for the Rams and Brown is due to happen against the Cardinals, who have allowed the 11th most fanasty points to running backs this season. Brown has projected for 7.4 points next weekend against the Cardinals.

Jeff Wilson Jr took off last game against the Arizona Cardinals to secure him 27.4 fantasy points off of 183 rushing yards, and one touchdown catch that went for 21 yards. Wilson has scored at least one touchdown in the last three games for the 49ers. While Wilson had 22 attempts last week in the backfield, his running mate Jerick McKinnon had just one attempt for four yards. Wilson should take the majority of the carries going into the final game of the regular season. Wilson has projected for 13.85 fantasy points as the projected RB13 next weekend against the Seattle Seahawks, who have allowed a great number of points to all positions in fantasy this season.

David Johnson had a great week last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson put up 128 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and one receiving touchdown. This got him fourth in the fantasy standings for the week with 28.9 fantasy points. Johnson had the most touches he has seen since week 7 with 12 touches in the run game. Next week, Johnson and the Texans will be taking on the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have allowed the seventh most fanasty points per game to running backs this year, so Johnson has the potential for another breakout game. He has projected for 14 fantasy points next weekend.

Sit ‘Em

A.J Dillon had a fantastic week last week against the Tennessee Titans in the snow. Dillon ran the ball 21 times for 124 yards and two rushing touchdowns in this one. Owners of Jones would like to know what happened in this game. Dillon had 11 more touches and played 12 more snaps than Jones was concerning. However, it seemed as if the Packers used Dillon’s large body to plow through the snow on the ground and rest their star in the process. Next week, however, the Packers will need to win their final regular-season game to secure the NFC playoff bye week. They will be playing the Bears, who have allowed the 9th least amount of fantasy points to running backs this season.

Todd Gurley has seriously struggled in his past five games. His highest point total in that span was last week, where he had eight points. His touches in the backfield have seriously declined and it looks like he is just trying to wrap up this season. Gurley and the Falcons will be taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week. The Buccaneers have allowed the least amount of rushing yards per game and under four yards per attempt to running backs this season. They have also allowed the least amount of fantasy points per game to running backs. I would not consider using Gurley in the final week of fantasy football next week. He has projected for 6.4 points next week.

Miles Sanders had a solid outing against the Dallas Cowboys last week, putting up 57 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and four catches in the backfield. He recorded 18.4 fantasy points, which was the 11th most for a running back last week. However, Sanders and the Eagles will be taking on the Washington Football Team next weekend. The Football Team has one of the best rushing defenses in the NFL this season. They have allowed the sixth least amount of fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Sanders has projected for 16.6, but I am not certain he will live up to that projection.