Favorable Running Back Matchups for Week 15 (2021)
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Fantasy In Frames is highlighting key running back matchups to take advantage of. Here are four favorable running back matchups for Week 15!
Last week was another fairly successful with both Javonte Williams and D’Onta Foreman finishing within the top-15, while Chuba Hubbard scored a touchdown to provide a fairly solid fantasy finish. Hubbard now faces three tough matchups to end the season, with Buffalo, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay all on the schedule. Given the continued offensive woes and the tough matchups, he is a definite sit candidate for the remaining three games of the season. Good luck in your fantasy playoff matchups this week!
James Robinson (vs HOU)
I had debated including Robinson this week prior to Urban Meyer’s departure but had struggled to justify it after his bizarre recent usage. Robinson has seen just 15 total touches over the last two weeks, an astounding occurrence given his success over the last two years despite the team’s deficiencies.
This week the Jaguars face the Houston Texans, who rank 28th in rush DVOA, according to FootballOutsiders. This season the Texans have allowed just under 25 points per game to the running back position in half-PPR scoring, according to FantasyData, the sixth-most in the league. This all points to a big bounce-back performance from Robinson. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell stated that “Robinson is our starting running back and he will be played as such”. Fantasy managers should follow suit this weekend.
Sony Michel (vs SEA)
The former first-round pick has been a reliable stand-in for Darrell Henderson over recent weeks and has another promising matchup this coming weekend. Although Michel did not deliver the fantasy success against the Cardinals we saw a week prior, the usage is promising. Michel has now seen at least 20 rushing attempts in each of his last two games and handled over 95% of the running back carries over that period.
After their win over the Cardinals on Monday, the Rams face another NFC West rival in the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks have been one of the most advantageous matchups for running backs this season averaging 26.52 points to the running back position per game in half-PPR scoring, according to FantasyData – the second-most in the league. If he is the starter on Sunday, Michel will be a great option once again.
Elijah Mitchell/Jeff Wilson Jr (vs ATL)
Jeff Wilson may not have provided the fantasy production many will have hoped for on Sunday, his usage provided a clear indication he is currently the lead back with Mitchell sidelined. Wilson handled all of the running back carries on Sunday against Cincinnati, although it should be noted that he did not receive a target. While Mitchell clearly possesses more upside and had begun to see more work in the passing game, the concern has been injuries.
Whoever is the starter on Sunday will encounter a very favorable scenario. The 49ers welcome the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the ninth-most points to running backs this season. The Falcons have allowed the tenth-most rushing yards this season, after allowing at least 100 rushing yards in nine of their 13 games. Mitchell is therefore an obvious automatic start if he is back, while Wilson becomes a very good option if Mitchell misses out again.
D’Onta Foreman (@ PIT)
Pittsburgh struggles on the ground continued in week 14, allowing Dalvin Cook to rush for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers have now allowed at least 100 total rushing yards in each of the last six games. This season, the Steelers have allowed an average of just over 23 half-PPR points per game to running backs, the seventh-most in the league.
This weekend the Steelers face the Tennessee Titans. D’Onta Foreman is therefore the most likely beneficiary of this favorable matchup after further cementing his role as the lead back. The veteran handled just under 50% of the team’s running back rushing attempts in their blowout win over the Jaguars. Foreman finished with a reasonable stat line, rushing 13 times for 47 yards and a TD, adding a further 15 yards on two receptions. Given the Steelers’ recent form, Foreman could be in for another strong performance this week.