Fantasy Football Week 13 Running Back Starts/Sits: Trey Benson, Devin Neal, RJ Harvey
Plump, juicy turkeys are thawing. The Thanksgiving bird is preparing to enter ovens across the country before sending families into tryptophan-induced comas.
Okay, the sedating powers of tryptophan have been greatly exaggerated, but the importance of hitching your fantasy wagon to the right stallions has not!
With playoff positions being decided this weekend, it’s more important than ever to make sure to start the right running backs to put you in the best position to succeed.
By evaluating recent performances and projected opportunity shares, starting the right running backs can be as easy as apple pie. Yes, apple, because pumpkin is gross and not the fruit of fall.
Hot takes aside, let’s dive in!
WEEK 13 RUNNING BACK STARTS:
Trey Benson vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nobody is expecting Benson to come out and light it up in his first week, possibly returning from a meniscus tear.
However, with Bam Knight and Emari Demarcado injured and their status for week 13 in question, the 2024 second-round pick could dominate backfield touches.
The Bucs don’t yield a ton of yards to the position, ranking 8th in total yards. They have proven vulnerable at allowing touchdowns, allowing 12 (22nd in NFL) on the season.
With Jacoby Brissett proving to be a stabilizing force in place of maligned QB Kyler Murray, Benson could be in line for solid RB2 production with multi-TD upside.
Should Benson miss again in week 13, all eyes would be on Knight and his two-week TD streak, should he suit up. If none of the backfield can go, then punt the backfield entirely!
Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos matchup doesn’t exactly inspire confidence!
Still, Rodriguez appears to have proven himself to be the back to own in the Commanders backfield. It was fun, Bill stans!
Over his last three weeks, Rodriguez has averaged 11 rushes for 53 yards along with two scores. Over that same span, he’s averaged 9.9 fantasy points (+1.7 fantasy points over expectation per game).
If there’s a way to beat the Broncos, it’s on the ground. Denver has yielded the 7th-fewest touchdowns to the position.
If Jayden Daniels suits up this weekend, fantasy managers should reasonably expect an offensive bump across the board.
Should Marcus Mariota continue to lead the Commanders in Daniels’ stead, Rodriguez becomes a much more risky play.
RJ Harvey vs. Washington Commanders
Don’t think too much about Harvey’s lackluster week 11 performance.
The Chargers collectively rolled over and showed their bellies.
Harvey is a hard back to get a beat on. After a head-scratching streak of top 12 finishes, Harvey has failed to finish as an RB2 in back-to-back matchups.
The Commanders have given up nearly 1,700 yards from scrimmage to running backs this season, alongside 11 total TDs. In other words, they’re a good palate cleanser (24.8 fppg).
The electric back is at his best when he is used as a bridge between the running and passing game. He’s caught 28 passes this season for nearly 200 yards.
In week 11, after Dobbins was sidelined for the season with an injury, Harvey commanded 65% of the team snaps.
He could stand to receive much more and could win weeks for fantasy managers.
Devin Neal vs. Miami Dolphins
The Miami defense has tightened up a bit, but it still allows the fourth-most rush yards to backs this season.
With Alvin Kamara’s status in doubt with an MCL sprain, Neal has a juicy upcoming schedule.
In week 12, Neal’s utilization was worth a tantalizing 13.7 xFP.
Neal struggled a little on the ground (18 yards on seven carries), but caught five of his seven targets for 43 yards.
He’s in line for a heavy workload and could join Harvey as a potential week winner!
Other RB starts: Kenneth Gainwell, Emmanuel Wilson, Woody Marks, Sean Tucker
WEEK 13 RUNNING BACK SITS:
Aaron Jones vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Vikings offense is a disaster. JJ McCarthy has more bust signs written all over him than a dam with multiple cracks holding back raging rapids.
McCarthy has drug the entire offense down with him, and Kevin O’Connell can only shake his head in disbelief. It’s bad for Skol Nation!
Jones has retaken the backfield from Jordan Mason, much to my surprise, commanding at least 65% of snaps in three straight.
The matchup against a pass-funnel Seahawks defense doesn’t inspire confidence.
Seattle has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, putting the load on McCarthy’s shoulders, should he suit up after entering the league’s concussion protocol.
This will lead to Jones and Mason getting fed and trying to pound a rock through a brick wall. Steer clear of Skol backfields this week.
Despite averaging 13.5 xFP/g, Jones has struggled against stingy rush defenses. Best not to start him if you can avoid it.
Zach Charbonnet/Kenneth Walker vs. Minnesota Vikings
This matchup might be a battle of the no-no running backs!
Charbonnet is a touchdown-dependent flex RB and didn’t look as explosive or efficient as Walker last week.
He cannot be trusted to score a touchdown every week and logged only six touches in week 12.
Meanwhile, Walker is as boom/bust as it gets.
The Vikings allow the 9th-fewest fantasy points to opposing backs and have only allowed seven scores this season.
Obviously, start Walker if given the choice of the two (15.3 xFP last two games vs. 5.9 for Charbonnet), but if a more trustworthy option presents itself, jump on it!
Rico Dowdle vs. Los Angeles Rams
The fantasy darling of the middle of the season, Dowdle has been steady, but not amazing, since.
He’s scored at least 15 points in his last three games and has finished as an RB2 or better in around 63% of his games
His usage week 12 was perplexing to say the least.
We could chalk that up to a wonky game and throw it in the trash!
Could another similar game be in the works due to a brutal matchup against the Rams?
The LA Rams are the Belles of the NFC Ball and have allowed just three total TDs to RBs this season.
With Matthew Stafford having an MVP season, the Rams could be up early, forcing Bryce Young to sink the Panthers’ offense with his arm.
If you have a more reliable option at RB than Dowdle, I’d recommend it.
Other RB sits: Jordan Mason, Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift, Kareem Hunt/Isiah Pacheco
