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Some running backs are coming into Week 12 with ideal matchups while others seem likely to underperform. We’ve identified two backs who are ideal starters in fantasy football and two who could bust ahead of the action. Let’s go over some of the top options and fades.
Running Back Starts
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings
Robinson is in a rhythm and has tallied at least 22 carries in four of his last five games. He has three games with more than 100 rushing yards during that stretch and has been very involved in the passing game as well. Minnesota’s middle-of-the-road run defense shouldn’t be able to stop him from posting a strong stat line if he gets 20+ touches.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers
Sanders was stagnant against the Seattle Seahawks like most running backs but has an ideal matchup against a Packers defense that ranks 30th against running backs on DraftKings. We’ve seen Green Bay get torched by running backs all year and Sanders is one of the most dangerous all-purpose backs in the league once he gets rolling. The Packers have given up more than 90 rushing yards to the opposition’s RB1 in three straight games.
Running Back Sits
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Jones has only scored one touchdown over the last four weeks and has been splitting snaps down the middle with Jamaal Williams as of late. The Eagles have a stout run defense that ranks fourth against opposing running backs on DraftKings. Williams matched Jones’s 17 carries in Week 12 and outscored him by rushing for a score. Jones doesn’t have a great fantasy outlook isn’t great with Green Bay’s current workload distribution.
Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
The momentum from Peterson’s two touchdowns on Thanksgiving shouldn’t carry over into Week 13. D’Andrew Swift has cleared concussion protocol and the Lions’ running back work could be split three ways once again. While Swift might not assume most of the snaps in his first week back from a major injury, his diverse skill set drastically lowers the ceilings of Peterson and Kerryon Johnson.