Favorable Running Back Matchups for Week 17 (2021)
Fantasy In Frames is highlighting key running back matchups to take advantage of. Here are four favorable running back matchups for Week 17!
After a tumultuous few weeks, we’ve made it to the fantasy championship weekend. Last week’s picks were hampered by injuries with Robinson and Sanders both going down mid-game. Justin Jackson, meanwhile, made the most of his opportunity as the starter, scoring two touchdowns and amassing 162 yards from scrimmage, and finishing as the RB3 in half-PPR scoring. Javonte Williams’ fantasy production was saved by a short-yardage touchdown but has another great opportunity this coming week.
So with all that said, good luck in your fantasy championships this weekend!
Rashaad Penny (@ DET)
Any questions regarding Rashaad Penny have never been about his ability, it has always been his injury history and durability. Since being selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 2018, Penny has struggled to carve out a significant role for an extended period of time. However the tide has turned in recent weeks, and with a great matchup this weekend, he may be an unlikely hero in the fantasy championship weekend.
This Sunday the Seahawks face the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the fifth-most average points to running backs this season. Detroit has now allowed at least 100 rushing yards in five of their seven games since the team’s bye. After seeing double-digit touches in four successive games, Penny is the clear favorite to take advantage of the matchup. This included rushing 17 times for 135 yards and a touchdown against Chicago last week, equating to an 80.1% running back rushing share. He could be in for another week-winning performance this coming weekend.
Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon (@ LAC)
The Chargers run defense was back to its usual self last week, allowing the Houston Texans to rush for a total of 189 rushing yards. This included veteran Rex Burkhead rushing 22 times for 149-yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers are now one of only four teams to have allowed more than 2,000 rushing yards this season and rank last in rush DVOA according to Football Outsiders. Up next for this run defense are divisional rivals the Denver Broncos.
Despite a good matchup on paper, Williams and Gordon both struggled in week 16, although William’s fantasy output was saved by a one-yard touchdown. The split backfield has still led to solid fantasy production for both players throughout the season and this matchup could easily see both be productive again. Over recent weeks it is the rookie who has been more consistent, scoring double-digit fantasy points in half-PPR scoring in four of his last five games. Gordon, however, continues to see a healthy number of touches each week and both may be able to take advantage of this matchup.
Ronald Jones (@ NYJ)
Ronald Jones stepped up last weekend against the Panthers after Leonard Fournette landed on IR. Jones saw 20 attempts, rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown, adding a further 16 yards from two receptions. He will handle the majority of the workload once again this weekend in the best matchup for running backs on paper this season.
The Buccaneers face the New York Jets who have allowed an average of over 30 points per game to running backs in half-PPR scoring, according to FantasyData – by far the most in the league. The Jets also rank 29th in rush DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Additionally, the Buccaneers are around 13-point favorites against the Jets, meaning it is likely to be another positive game script for Jones. With Tampa Bay still struggling with several skill-position players on the sideline, Jones should be in line for another big performance this coming weekend.
Devin Singletary (@ ATL)
The Buffalo backfield has largely been a difficult one to trust for large parts of this season, but Devin Singletary has started to cement his role as lead back in recent weeks. Singletary has now seen at least ten touches in each of his last five games. This included 17 touches last week, the most he has seen this season, rushing 12 times for 39 yards and a touchdown and a further 39 yards from five receptions.
After scoring double-digit points in half-PPR scoring in three consecutive games, Singletary now has another promising matchup this coming weekend. The Bills face the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed an average of just over 22 points per game to running backs in half-PPR scoring, the ninth-most in the league. In what is likely to be another positive game-script for Buffalo, given they are 14-point favorites, Singletary projects to have another good game this Sunday.