Which running backs have the most favorable fantasy matchups? Which backs are in unfavorable spots?
Here’s a breakdown of five notable running backs featured in Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon and Matthew Freedman’s Week 14 fantasy football rankings.
The No. 1 RB
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
It’s been a while since anyone not named Todd Gurley has been in this spot, but here we are with McCaffrey, who possesses an average rank of 1.7 among our rankers.
Over the past six weeks, McCaffrey’s 31.0 fantasy points per game leads all running backs. Even if you throw out his eruption game out against the Seahawks two weeks ago, he still has three other 30-plus-point fantasy outings since Week 8.
Up next is a Browns defense that ranks 26th in rush DVOA and has the second-worst run-defense grade, per Pro Football Focus.
The Most Favorable Matchups
Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
Kamara and Ingram are in a good spot Sunday against a Bucs run defense that ranks 30th in rush DVOA. Since Week 5 when Ingram returned to the lineup, the Saints have the second-most rush attempts and the second-most rushing touchdowns (12) in the league.
Over the Saints’ past eight games with both RBs in the lineup, Kamara is averaging 19.2 fantasy points per game, while Ingram comes in at 12.9.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Jones should’ve been set up for a huge week against the Cardinals, but he and Jamaal Williams had near-equal snaps (39-38) after Jones had played 73% or more of the snaps in the previous three games.
Hopefully, with Mike McCarthy run out of town, Jones’ snap share returns to his 79% average from Weeks 10-12.
The Packers are in an elite spot at home as six-point favorites against a Falcons defense that ranks 29th in rush DVOA and 28th in pass DVOA against running backs, allowing 9.2 targets per game this season.
Jones boasts an average rank of 7.0 among our experts.
Matchup Downgrade
Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs
Ware played 69% of the snaps for the Chiefs following the release of Kareem Hunt and saw a respectable 15 touches.
And while the Chiefs are 6.5-point home favorites, Ware has one of the toughest matchups against a Ravens defense allowing just 3.9 yards per attempt and 87.3 rushing yards per game to opposing backfields.
Ware will need to find the end zone to do much damage for your fantasy team as the yardage likely won’t be there, but that’s entirely possible in Chiefs’ high-octane offense.
He still carries a solid 14.7 average rank among our rankers.
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts
Mack is averaging 17.5 touches per game for the Colts over the past six weeks, but a road matchup against the Texans isn’t ideal.
Houston owns one of the best rush defenses in the league (second in rush DVOA), allowing 3.7 yards per attempt, 91.3 rushing yards per game, and the third-fewest rushing touchdowns (six).
Further, the Colts are 4.5-point underdogs and Mack is rarely targeted out of the backfield, owning just 6.5% of the Colts’ target share.
Want another edge? Be sure to keep up with the week’s news on FantasyLabs.
