Week 14 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 one week away for most leagues.
Let’s break down my Week 14 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football running back picks.
Start ‘Em: Najee Harris (Steelers) vs. Browns
Harris is fresh off his best game of the season, in which he rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown while also hauling in six receptions for an additional 54 yards. That marked the fifth time in Pittsburgh’s last seven games that their lead back scored at least 13 PPR points, giving him a very solid floor against the Browns.
One of the most underrated running backs in the league, people don’t realize that Harris has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in every season of his career, and appears poised to do the same in this campaign. Najee will look to keep the positive momentum rolling against a Browns defense that allows over 128 rushing yards per game.
Sit ‘Em: D’Andre Swift (Bears) at 49ers
Swift’s talent is apparent, but the last few weeks haven’t been kind to him.
The 25-year-old has seen his involvement diminish steadily, receiving just 11 carries in Chicago’s last outing against the Lions. Swift has failed to hit the double-digit point mark in three of his last four outings, lacking both efficiency as a rusher and receiving upside on a game-to-game basis.
San Francisco’s run defense isn’t quite what it used to be, but that’s still a formidable unit. I expect game script to stop Swift from being featured consistently once again in this matchup.
Check out my full Week 14 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Tony Pollard (Titans) vs. Jaguars
The last four weeks haven’t been incredibly kind to Pollard from a production standpoint. Game script has taken him out of the equation in three of those contests, with him combining for just 26 carries over said matchups.
However, he did take 24 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago against Houston, proving the high ceiling is still there. I expect to see production on a somewhat similar level against the Jaguars, who allow the second-most fantasy points to running backs.
Fire Pollard up as a high-end RB2.
Sit ‘Em: Chuba Hubbard (Panthers) at Eagles
Is the Hubbard fantasy decline finally coming just in time for the fantasy playoffs?
It sure looks like it. Unfortunately for Chuba, this felt like an inevitable outcome considering Carolina’s volatile offense and the return of Jonathon Brooks. In Week 13 against Tampa Bay, Hubbard saw just 12 carries, his fewest since Week 2. He turned those limited touches into just 2.3 points, also his second-fewest total of the campaign.
This Sunday, he draws an incredibly tough matchup in Philadelphia, as the Eagles allow the fifth-fewest points to opposing backfields. Leave Chuba on your bench in this crucial fantasy week.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 14 fantasy football running back picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice later this week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
