Each week Fantasy In Frames is highlighting key running back matchups to take advantage of. Here are four favorable running back matchups for Week 13!
We had one clear hit last week with Tony Pollard making the most of his increased usage on Thanksgiving. David Montgomery, meanwhile, continued to see strong usage in the Bears backfield with 20 total touches yet remained fairly inefficient. If Montgomery maintains this usage he is one to watch in the coming weeks, with good matchups scheduled for the fantasy playoffs.
Good luck this week!
Alexander Mattison (@ DET)
“And there’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait, just you wait”
The Vikings’ backup running back has seen limited touches in his time in Minnesota due to Dalvin Cook’s prowess but has stepped in admirably each time he has been called upon. After Cook’s dislocated shoulder injury last week, Mattison will be the lead back in a great matchup this week.
In his two games as the starter this year Mattison has rushed for over 100 yards in each while seeing healthy usage in the passing game. This all bodes well for this coming week in which the team travels to division rivals the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed an average of 25.05 half-PPR fantasy PPG to running backs this season according to FantasyData, the third-most in the league. Start Mattison with full confidence.
Eli Mitchell (@ SEA)
Despite injury concerns in recent weeks 49ers rookie Eli Mitchell continues to lead the backfield. Against Minnesota, in week 12 Mitchell recorded 27 rushing attempts, the joint-highest he has seen this season, which he turned into 133 rushing yards and a touchdown. This represented over 90% of the team’s running back rushing attempts, although Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk saw a combined seven rushing attempts. Another promising development is that he has seen a clear increase in usage in the passing game. Last week Mitchell saw a season-high six targets, reeling in five receptions for 35 yards.
He now has a favorable matchup as faces division rivals the Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday. The Seahawks allow an average of just under 28 points per game to the running back position in half-PPR scoring, the second-most in the league. We should expect another big week from the rookie.
Jamaal Williams (vs MIN)
With the news that D’Andre Swift will likely miss this weekend’s game, Jamaal Williams is in line to take advantage of a good matchup. After a strong first game, Williams has been fairly inconsistent for fantasy, scoring only one touchdown and seeing limited work in the passing game. Williams, however, had a solid outing on Thanksgiving, rushing 15 times for 65 yards and adding a further 18 yards on five receptions. He should see a sizeable workload this week with head coach Dan Campbell stating that the team would “lean on Jamaal a little bit”.
This coming Sunday the winless Lions face division rivals the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have allowed the ninth-most average points to RBs in half-PPR scoring, according to FantasyData, and rank 29th in rush DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Although we will likely see Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike incorporated into the offense, Williams is still the clear lead back and has a great opportunity to have a solid fantasy performance this week.
Devonta Freeman (@ PIT)
Pittsburgh has had a surprisingly poor defense in 2021. The Steelers rank ninth-last in rushing DVOA, according to Football Outsiders, and have allowed 1,464 rushing yards this season, the fifth-most in the league. This included a huge performance for Joe Mixon last week, rushing for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 28 attempts.
This all means that Ravens running back Devonta Freeman could be in line for a solid game this weekend. Despite Latavius Murray’s return to the lineup, Freeman continues to lead this backfield. Freeman saw 16 rushing attempts in last week’s win over the Browns, in comparison to eight for Murray. Freeman has now seen at least 13 touches in each of his last four games, reaching at least 50 all-purpose yards in all four. He may not quite have the juice he once had, but Freeman is a good flex-play again this coming week.