by Ray Kuhn
As we embark on the playoffs in the majority of fantasy leagues this week, basically know the identity of your team. You know who your starters are. You know where your question marks are. At this point in the season you are also so far removed from the draft, that where you drafted players should not matter anymore as you are making lineup decisions. With that said lets take a look at some running back options for Week 14:
- Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Chicago
- Arian Foster – Houston Texans – @ New England
- Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens – @ Washington
- Marshawn Lynch – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Arizona
- Trent Richardson – Cleveland Browns – vs. Kansas City
- Doug Martin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Philadelphia
- Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs – @ Cleveland
- Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans – @ Indianapolis
- Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams – @ Buffalo
- Bryce Brown – Philadelphia Eagles – @ Tampa Bay
- Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Miami
- CJ Spiller – Buffalo Bills – vs. St. Louis
- Stevan Ridley – New England Patriots – vs. Houston
- Demarco Murray – Dallas Cowboys – @ Cincinnati
- Ahmad Bradshaw – New York Giants – vs. New Orleans
- Mikel Leshoure – Detroit Lions – @ Green Bay
- Matt Forte – Chicago Bears – @ Minnesota
- Alfred Morris – Washington Redskins – vs. Baltimore
- Knowshon Moreno – Denver Broncos – @ Oakland
- Ryan Matthews – San Diego Chargers – @ Pittsburgh
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Dallas
- Reggie Bush – Miami Dolphins – @ San Francisco
- Darren Sproles – New Orleans Saints – @ New York Giants
- Fred Jackson – Buffalo Bills – vs. St. Louis
- Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders – vs. Denver
- Deangelo Williams – Carolina Panthers – vs. Atlanta
- Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons – @ Carolina
- Jonathan Dwyer – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. San Diego
- Shonn Greene – New York Jets – @ Jacksonville
- Beanie Wells – Arizona Cardinals – @ Seattle
- Jacquizz Rodgers – Atlanta Falcons – @ Carolina
- Bilal Powell – New York Jets – @ Jacksonville
- Vick Ballard – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Tennessee
- Montell Owens – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. New York Jets
- Michael Bush – Chicago Bears – @ Minnesota
- Pierre Thomas – New Orleans Saints – @ New York Giants
- Marcel Reese – Oakland Raiders – vs. Denver
- Shane Vereen – New England Patriots – vs. Houston
- James Starks – Green Bay Packers – vs. Detroit
- Joique Bell – Detroit Lions – @ Green Bay
Thoughts:
- For owners that wasted an early round pick on McFadden, it looks like he is finally going to return this week against Denver. However you must temper your expectations because it is on a short week, Marcel Reese (also nursing an injury) is still hanging around, the Raiders offense has not looked very good and McFadden was not exactly tearing it up prior to his injury. If you have another option that has been producing the past few weeks then I would stay away from McFadden for another week to see how recovered he actually is and so can get a better handle on his workload.
- Demarco Murray is a running back that, although I moved him up in my rankings, I still might have a little too low. He returned from injury against the Eagles and looked almost if he had never left. Murray carried the ball 23 times for 83 yards and a touchdown, basically picking up where he had left off prior to his absence. The problem with Murray even before his injury is that he only had 1 touchdown in 5 games and 3 games where he did not gain more than 45 yards. This causes me to temper my optimism somewhat and would allow some to argue that I might have him ranked too high. Regardless, he is worthy of being an RB2 this week with RB1 upside.
- It might be time to officially downgrade Darren Sproles, and especially in non-PPR leagues. It is looking clearer that he will not repeat his performance from last season as the Saints offense has not looked as sharp. Sproles has not had a carry in either of his last 2 games and it looks like that trend will continue. While he has been averaging about 5 catches a game, Sproles only has 3 touchdowns this season and he has not really put up big yardage totals. While there is always the chance that he catches 10 passes and scores a touchdown, at this point it is not something I would bank on.
- Yes Shonn Greene has been losing touches to Bilal Powell over the last few weeks (and rightfully so) but that did not seem to really impact him last week. Powell did have 12 carries on what was a disgusting day for the Jets offense, but what was overlooked was Greene still carried the ball 24 times and had 104 yards and would have had a touchdown if he did not choose to let the clock wind down instead. Greene could be a decent start this week against the Jaguars, especially as the Jets will need to generate something running the ball since their passing offense is clearly in shambles.
- Montell Owens is not someone that anyone would have expected to have on their radar. He has been on the Jaguars since 2006 but before last week he had 14 total carries. Last week he did not do much to get excited about rushing 7 times for 29 yards and catching 1 pass for 11 yards. Also consider the fact that the Jets defense shut down the Cardinals running game last week (although to be fair Chad Henne is light years above Ryan Lindley) but if you are looking for a starting running back guaranteed carries in a deep league, then Owens is your man.
- If Bryce Brown did not have a fumble in each of his 2 starts (3 fumbles total), then he would be ranked a little higher. Running backs that gain 178 yards followed by 169 yards are not easily acquired at any point in the season, especially off the waiver wire prior to Week 12. Brown certainly has been a valuable player for any owner lucky enough to claim him, but it might be hard for him to have another epic day against a tough Tampa run defense and his lack of ball security is a concern as well. Of course, it is not enough not to start him.
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Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 14 rankings:
What’s up roto.. Squeezed in the playoffs w a 6 and 7 record and need a lil help w this week. I need three wr and a flex. I have Steve smith, Stevie Johnson, Pierre garçon, mike Wallace, danny amadola, and Sidney rice. I also have knowshown Moreno and Matt forte for a flex spot. It’s a 1 point ppr. Any advice would be great.
I give Forte a slight edge on Moreno.
The way the skins have been going Garcon gets a start. Amendola look like health is still an issue so I would probably stay away there. Wallace’s value depends on who the QB is, but right now I probably go Smith, Garcon, Johnson as long as Johnson’s leg is doing well but its close with all of these guys.
with Brown ruled out for Sunday should I go with Ballard over Moreno? Seems like thursday games suck for fantasy points for me this year – only 1 who ever did good for me was D. Martin…
I too have been scarred with Thursday games (Drew Brees last week)but I still give the edge to Moreno here. I like the matchup and Peyton Manning as his QB certainly helps
Ppr league, should I start Demarion Alexander or Steven Ridley at flex? Leaning towards Alexander.
I would probably go with Alexander since it is a PPR as well. Houston has a tough defense and Ridley’s value is dependent on him scoring a touchdown because I am not sure how big of a yardage day he will have and Alexander has been doing really well
.5 ppr league – Steve Johnson, Chris Givens, Kenny Britt, Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles. Need 1 WR and 1 Flex (RB or WR). Thoughts?
Good afternoon…PPR, Who would you flex??? K. Britt or Fjax…Thanks!
I don’t think that Jackson will get as many carries this week as he did last week since that was mainly due to their lead, so I would go with Britt
Read your comments on Murray. I’m solid with RB1 and 2 (Rice and Martin). For my flex I was eaning towards Alfred Morris over Murray. I take it you would recommend Murray? (non-PPR). Thanks
Also, I’m assuming you’d start one of these running backs over Greg Jennings in a non-PPR, but thought I’d confirm, Thanks
Yes, definitely would
I need a player for RB2 spot, my options are Ballard and Moreno. I know you have Moreno ranked higher but recent news has Donald Brown out this sunday. Would you still start Moreno in this case?
Rice Forte S Jackson and Ballard…Which one sits…SF and CLE Defense
Thanks for the great rankings. In a Standard scoring, non ppr, no points for return yardage league. One and done elimination playoff matchup. I can start 2 RBs, 2 WRs and 1 flex. Who should I go with out of Doug Martin, Forte, Bradshaw, Cobb, Marshall or Colston?
I have 6 RB’s, and they’re all in your top 20..who would you start? who is the safest? Bryce Brown, Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles, Alfred Morris, CJ Spiller, and Mikel Leshoure..I know this may be a gut call, but whats your gut say if you had to start 2?
p.s right now i have Charles and Morris in there..Brown was kind of picked up so nobody else could grab him, and Spiller will continue to split time..I’m looking for someone guaranteed 25 touches on the ground, and Forte could be a beast also, right now leshoure isnt worth it compared to the options in my eyes..but like I said what would be your gut?
Dave – Johnson & Bush for me
Gamer – Ray an I have a slightly different opinion on this one. While Murray looked good in his first game back, it’s hard for me to bench Morris for him, esecially sice Baltimore has been moe porous against the run. I’d go Morris, but it is close.
Luc – It’s closer, but we know Moreno is going o get the workload. I’d stick wih him.
Chris -Of that group Ballard is the easy sit. As for the D, I’d go SF but flip a coin as hey both are ranked in my Top 5 for the week.
PEDRO –
RB – Martin & Bradshaw
WR – Marshall & Colston
FLEX – Cobb (with Nelon hurt, he’s too appeling to have on the bench)
Brenden – My gut would be Charles & Brown with Morris as the third choice. Good problem to have, though.
Thanks, Rotopro! I take it you have some confidence in Reggie Bush against the vaunted 49ers DST?
Need some help for my FLEX (standard scoring league).
Starting WR: Cruz & Roddy (up against Julio this week)
Starting RB: Spiller & Gore
Flex options: Garcon, Moreno, Ballard, D. Alexander, Dwyer, Bowe.
With Moreno playing tonight I need to sort this out! Also, would you swap out any of my starters based on matchup?
Dave – more than the other options you have anyways
AP – I don’t love Moreno, but it’s him or Garçon for me at this point (you can also row Alexander in there). Generally I g RB, so I would say Moreno slightly, because they are so close and we know Moreno is going to get carries.
Alright I’m gonna ride with Moreno then… hoping for better TNF luck than I got last week with Brees and Roddy. Thanks for the advice!
Pick 1 WR: Dez Bryant at Cincy, Randall Cobb or Greg Jennings vs Detroit.
Dez’s match up scares me as DC Zimmer will look to stop him but afraid to bench a stud in the playoffs.
I have Brandon Marshall as my WR1.
I’d go Bryant. The weather in GB is a concern, and you never know who is going to get the bulk of the targets.