- Welcome back to another edition of the running back start and sit article! As you know by now, in this analysis, we have reviewed the adjusted line yards of the offensive and defensive lines to identify the top matchups for Week 15. Below you will see the matchup rank for each player. The matchup rank represents the rank of the defense based on our adjusted line yards metric.
To see the full analysis and where each offense, defense, and matchup ranks, go check out our new adjusted line yards metric here on Razzball.com.
If you want to see the original data, you can find it on FTN!
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Top Running Back Starts
- Player: Chuba Hubbard
- Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
- Matchup Rank: 15th
It’s finally the fantasy football playoffs, and if you slipped into the 6th seed, you might have done it with Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard has back-to-back games of 20+ carries and three straight games with at least 19 touches. This newfound workload has provided Hubbard with a nice floor, as he has finished with at least 11 PPR points in all three games. This week, he gets another solid matchup vs. a Falcons DST that has allowed double-digit fantasy points to an RB in six of the last seven weeks.
- Player: Jaylen Warren
- Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
- Matchup Rank: 7th
Since being named the starter a few weeks ago….well….nothing has changed for Jaylen Warren. Warren has back-to-back games with less than 10 carries, so why would he be a start? The Colts matchup has become elite for RBs this season, but especially for speedy backs. Over the past two weeks, both Chase Brown and Tyjae Spears finished as RB2s while not operating as the primary RB in their offense. This role fits perfectly with what Warren does, making him an intriguing start if needed this week.
- Player: Ty Chandler
- Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
- Matchup Rank: 10th
Alexander Mattison is dealing with a high ankle sprain, which should thrust Ty Chandler into a nearly every down-back role. This season, Chandler has seen at least 10 touches in three games. In those games, he has gone over 10 PPR points twice. This week, the Vikings face a Bengals team that has allowed 15 PPR points to an RB1 in four of the last five games.
- Player: Ezekiel Elliott
- Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
- Matchup Rank: 5th
Zeke Elliott isn’t the RB1 everyone wants, but he is the RB1 everyone needs. As a Rhamondre Stevenson owner, you can only laugh as you watch Elliott receive a workhorse role in his absence, finishing as the RB1 in fantasy in Week 14. This week, Stevenson is doubtful again, which should thrust Elliott right back into your lineups. The Chiefs are much stronger vs. the pass, as they have allowed an RB to score at least 14 PPR points in five of the last six games.
Top Running Back Sits
- Player: James Cook
- Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
- Matchup Rank: 22nd
The sit section has been problematic for us this season. The main reason (and pretty much the only reason) is every time we say sit someone, they find the end zone. James Cook has been solid all season, but finishing the end zone isn’t his strong suit. Cook has four total touchdowns this season, and three have come in the passing game. Those scores won’t be easy to find vs. a Cowboys DST that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to RBs this season.
Week 14 Recap
- Start James Cook vs. the Chiefs – HIT
- Start Keaton Mitchell vs. the Rams– MISS
- Start Zack Moss vs. the Bengals – MISS
- Sit Alexander Mattison vs. the Raiders – Injured (VOID)
- Sit Travis Etienne vs. the Browns – 14 carries for 35 yards but finished as the RB14. Fantasy football is a cutthroat game! MISS
Score – 1 out of 4 (#GROSS)
If you have lineup questions or want more information on starts and sits, don’t forget to join us LIVE every Sunday for our Sunday Live Start and Sit Show on the Razzball Fantasy YouTube Channel!
For more from Bobby and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @bobbylamarco.
Sources: Razzball.com, PFF.com, FantasyPros, FFToday, Pro Football Reference and Football Outsiders
