Week 13 of the NFL season has arrived! Injuries have thrown a wrench into multiple backfields around the league, so it’s time to take a deep dive into the position with the fantasy playoffs around the corner.
Let’s break down my Week 13 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football running back picks.
Start ‘Em: Rico Dowdle (Cowboys) vs. Giants
Don’t look now, but the Cooper Rush Cowboys are… competent offensively?!
Dallas pulled off the shocking upset over Washington last week, and Dowdle played a large role in it. The 26-year-old paced his team on the ground, rushing 19 times for 86 yards, also hauling in three receptions. It wasn’t the strongest fantasy day, but it was a solid outing. Dowdle should keep the positive momentum rolling on Thursday against a Giants team that allows the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing backfields.
Sit ‘Em: D’Andre Swift (Bears) at Lions
After a stellar few weeks as Chicago’s lead back, Swift has come back down to earth as of late.
The 25-year-old has failed to hit the double-digit fantasy point mark in two of his last three outings. In the Bears’ heartbreaking loss to Minnesota, Swift received his fewest carries in a game since Week 3, and he could be forced out of offensive attack early due to game script against Detroit.
The Lions allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing backfields. Swift should make his way back into your starting lineup at some point down the road, but not on Thursday.
Check out my full Week 13 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Bucky Irving (Buccaneers) at Panthers
The rookie is a force to be reckoned with.
Fresh off a 27.1 point outing against the Giants, Irving has now scored at least 15 points in five of Tampa Bay’s last six games. He’s easily surpassing five yards per carry, and surprised everyone by taking the receiving work from Rachaad White last week, catching all six targets for 64 yards.
Bucky has RB1 upside against a Panthers defense that allows the most fantasy points to running backs.
Sit ‘Em: Jonathan Taylor (Colts) at Patriots
It’s been an ugly few weeks for Taylor.
Indy’s superstar has failed to score nine points in three of the Colts’ last four games despite seeing significant volume on the ground. His receiving upside has been nonexistent, which unfortunately will likely remain the case with Anthony Richardson under center.
As difficult as it is to justify sitting Taylor, I would recommend it against a Patriots defense that has allowed just 81.7 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 13 fantasy football running back picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice next week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
