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Congratulations, if you are reading this story, then you have likely advanced to the next round of the fantasy football playoffs. At this stage of the season, the matchups do not get any easier and the lineup decisions are more critical. One of those decisions that you may or may not be deciding on is who to start at running back.
Unlike the QB position, you can get away with not having a top-tier option at one of your RB spots to win in your respective fantasy contest. But if you do have a top option such as Derrick Henry, Aaron Jones, Alvin Kamara, and etc., then you are in great shape.
That being said, which running back should you start in Week 15 to hopefully reach the championship round? Let’s discuss some plays below.
Running Back Starts
Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Lions
Just like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes have been for the quarterback position this season, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is a must-start every week. Last week, King Henry had a monster performance on the ground, racking up a season-high 215 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. It was the second time this season that Henry went over the 200-yard threshold.
He also scored 34.2 fantasy points against the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving him his second 30-plus point outing in three games. On Sunday, Henry will be trying to make it back-to-back 30-point performances against the Detroit Lions.
This season, the Lions’ defense is allowing a hefty 16 touchdowns and 26.5 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, a league-worst. But shockingly, they’ve only allowed two running backs to rush for over 100 yards through 14 weeks. Henry will likely make it three after Week 15 is finished.
Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Texans
This selection was tough because you could either go with Jonathan Taylor or J.K. Dobbins of the Baltimore Ravens. Both players have favorable matchups and Dobbins could see an increase in targets, especially with the Ravens down three wide receivers.
However, Taylor has been running the football phenomenally over the last few weeks. In the Colts’ last three games, the rookie running back has accumulated 331 yards on 55 carries and two touchdowns. The two touchdowns happened in last week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he rushed for a season-high 150 yards on 20 carries.
Taylor also recorded a career-high 28.5 fantasy points, which was an improvement from the 19.5 he scored in Week 13 against the Houston Texans. Coincidentally, the Colts play the Texans Sunday and Taylor should be able to feast again on this bad run defense.
Running Back Sits
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Saints
Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles were the first team in over 50 games to have a running back rush for over 100 rushing yards against the New Orleans Saints. One of the league’s best run defenses, which is only allowing 3.7 yards per carry, got punched in the mouth.
With that being said, we shouldn’t expect that to happen again on Sunday with the Chiefs rolling into the Big Easy. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire hasn’t had success on the ground recently like his fellow draft classmates with 138 yards on 41 carries and two attempts in the last three games.
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys vs. 49ers
Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown since Week 5 against the New York Giants. Over that period of time, backup running back Tony Pollard has one touchdown, which isn’t anything special.
Ezekiel could be in danger of not seeing the end zone on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners’ defense has only given up six rushing touchdowns to running backs, which the last coming in Week 12 versus the Los Angeles Rams.
Additionally, San Francisco is only allowing 15.1 fantasy points per game this season to opposing running backs, which doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in starting Elliott. The former first-round pick has scored below 10 points in the Cowboys’ last three games.