Week 13 Fantasy Football PPR Running Back Rankings
After Taylor, Ekeler, and Mixon, who else rounds out the list?
Jonathan Taylor Indianapolis Colts, Opponent: Houston Texans
Taylor remains the most consistent fantasy player in putting up 20+ fantasy points. The Houston Texans have a much better pass defense than run defense(their run defense ranks 31st allowing 135 rush yards per game), which will allow Taylor to have another 100+ rushing yard game.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers, Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
Ekeler still managed to put up 22 fantasy points on a day where the offense was in shambles. He should have another great game in what is probably going to be a high-scoring game.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals, Opponent: Los Angeles Chargers
I keep thinking Joe Mixon is going to stop his massive production but he never does. And guess what? Mixon gets to play the Chargers this weekend who rank dead last in run defense (allowing 145.3 rush yards per game) so expect him to have another monster day.
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Fournette had been hit or miss all season long until the last three weeks, taking the load of the offense while Tom Brady struggles. The Falcons are giving up 124 rush yards per game on average so expect Fournette to have another big day.
Alexander Mattinson, Minnesota Vikings, Opponent: Detroit Lions
With Dalvin cook set to miss a few weeks, expect Mattinson to dominate the run game and catch some passes as well, especially this week against the Lions’ 29th ranked run defense.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints, Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
Kamara missed last week’s thanksgiving game due to injury, but he will be back and as good as ever in a must-win game for the Saints against the Dallas Cowboys tonight. Dallas has a good defense, but not good enough to stop Kamara from having a big day.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers, Opponent: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens rank 2nd in run defense only giving up 84.2 rush yards per game on average and we know what they did to shut down Nick Chubb last weekend. Nonetheless, Chubb isn’t involved in the passing game like Harris is, which will allow Harris to have a good game since the Ravens rank dead last in pass defense.
Cordarelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons, Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Patterson will have to have a huge receiving game since no one (not even Jonathan Taylor) has been able to get going against the Bucs’ #1 run defense (allowing 81 rush yards per game). Luckily for Patterson fantasy owners, he has averaged 5-6 receptions this season, and hopefully one of them will be a touchdown against the Bucs.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers, Opponent: Seattle Seahawks
Mitchell is coming off of a 28 fantasy point day and should bring some of that momentum into a tough matchup with the Seahawks. People think that the 49ers will blow the Hawks out, but the game is a rivalry matchup in Seattle so expect this one to be close. Nonetheless, Mitchell should have another 100 + yards rushing with a touchdown.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team, Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
Gibson has had two 20+ fantasy point weeks in the last three weeks and is going up against a favorable Raiders defense. Slot him in at RB2.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals, Opponent: Chicago Bears
Even with his consistent production, I am still not sold on Conner, especially if Kyler Murray plays. If Colt McCoy plays then Conner is set for a big game against the Bears.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs, Opponent: Denver Broncos
You may think I am crazy considering the Chiefs are a pass-heavy offense playing a dominant defense, but that is exactly why I like Edwards-Helaire in this matchup. He can catch the ball and play wide receiver on the HB Slip plays which gives him an advantage in PPR leagues over other RB’s. Slot him in at RB2 and he won’t disappoint, even against a formidable defense.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings just gave up 28 fantasy points to Elijah Mitchell of the 49ers and their run defense ranks 30th in the NFL. Start Williams with confidence as he is the only option on offense with D’Andre Swift out.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants, Opponent: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are clicking on all cylinders right now as they have won 4 straight games. However, Barkley is the focal point of this New York Giants offense and has become a nice receiving option as well, something he wasn’t in the first 3 years of his NFL career. This makes him extremely valuable in PPR leagues and I would expect Barkley to have a great day even against a tough defensive matchup.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
Robinson is the #1 option on offense for the Jaguars and should have 100+ rushing yards against the Rams. However, Robinson will need to score a touchdown to warrant an RB1 or RB2 performance.
Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams, Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars
Henderson Jr. has been up and down over the last couple of weeks, but Jacksonville could be a confidence booster game for him. I would personally sit him considering he is in a slump right now, but he also could have a big day against a suspect defense.
Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys, Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Elliot has been consistent all year long, but the Saints rank 3rd in run defense (only allowing 91 rush yards per game) which means he could be due for an off day. I would not start Zeke against the Saints.
Devonta Freeman, Baltimore Ravens, Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
Freeman couldn’t get anything going against the Browns last weekend, but he should benefit from the Steelers’ defense being in shambles right now (back-to-back weeks giving up 40+ points). I think Freeman will have 4 receptions for 25 yards, 65 rush yards, and one touchdown against the Steelers.
Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos, Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
Gordon III shares time with Williams in the Broncos backfield, but he could have a good game if he continues to get the red zone snaps. However, the Chiefs have been surprisingly dominant on defense over the past 4 weeks and it may be tough for anyone on the Broncos to get going.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team, Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
McKissic is coming off of a huge week where he scored two touchdowns. Even though he probably won’t score two touchdowns again this weekend, he has a favorable matchup in the Raiders and should still pick up 5 receptions from Taylor Heinicke.
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins, Opponent: New York Giants
Gaskin has been uber consistent during the Dolphins win streak but the Giants have become a really good defensive team, which could limit Gaskin’s production. Gaskin is a RB that relies on touchdowns and pulling in receptions as he is never going to have more than 100 rush yards in a game or even 80 so Gaskin remains a boom-bust player this weekend.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos, Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
Williams shares time with Gordon III in the Broncos backfield and the Chiefs are not a favorable matchup for him. Sit him with confidence.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders, Opponent: Washington Football Team
Jacobs is the lead back for a pass-heavy offense. Jacobs hasn’t been good all year unless he runs in for a touchdown, which isn’t likely against a defense clicking on all cylinders. Sit him this weekend.
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles, Opponent: New York Jets
Scott remains a consistent option every week due to his 10+ carries on average over the past 4 weeks and his red-zone snap share. However, if he doesn’t pick up a touchdown then your team is doomed if you start him so you might as well sit Scott this week due to him being wildly inconsistent in a backfield that has no identity.
Tevin Coleman, New York Jets, Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
With Michael Carter Jr. being out, Coleman is the lead back for the Jets. However, the Eagles’ defense has been very good against the run recently, which limits Coleman’s fantasy upside unless he can pull in some receptions from Zach Wilson, which also is not likely. Sit him with confidence this weekend.
And what does PPR stand for, son? Passive, Pointless, and Revolting?? Because that's how I'd describe this so-called "journalism" to my buddies at the VA Hall!!!!! Now, we've seen plenty of crimes against humanity on the field, but THIS doggerel is a crime against the soul!!!