Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Football Week 15: Running Backs - Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains

Nick Chubb is ready to bounce back, just in time for the fantasy playoffs.

Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Davante Adams or Travis Kelce. Instead, I'll look at the players you have the most questions about to help you set the most effective starting lineup possible. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2021 NFL season.

Week 15 PPR Rankings: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | FLEX | KICKERS | TEAM DEFENSES (D/ST)

Week 15 Start ‘Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Nick Chubb vs. Raiders (Mon. 5 p.m. ET, NFL): Did you know Chubb isn’t even in the top 40 among fantasy running backs in the last two weeks? Well, consider this a bit of validation and confidence in starting him this week. He’s in a smash spot against the Raiders, who have allowed the third-most points per game to opposing running backs in the last six weeks. With Kareem Hunt out, Chubb should be a top-five performer.

Week 15 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS | TEAM DEFENSES

Start ‘Em

Rhamondre Stevenson at Colts (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL): The Patriots have leaned on the run a ton in recent weeks, and the absence of starter Damien Harris (hamstring) makes Stevenson a very attractive option for managers. While the Colts defense has been tough on running backs, giving up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position, Stevenson will still be on the No. 2 runner or flex radar based on his volume alone. 

James Robinson vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Robinson, listed as a sit ‘em a week ago, put up four total yards and 0.4 fantasy points against the Titans. He’s been held to a combined 2.9 points in his last two games, and he hasn’t scored more than 12.5 points since Week 10. Regardless, I’d still flex Robinson against a Texans defense that has allowed 17 total touchdowns and the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs.

Myles Gaskin vs. Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Gaskin opened Week 15 on the Dolphins’ reserve/COVID-19 list, but he’s been activated and will be available when the Fins host the Jets in Miami. Their defense has allowed the most fantasy points to enemy backs, including 17 players at the position who have scored 15-plus points. That list includes Gaskin, who grounded the Jets for 18.6 fantasy points in their first meeting of the year.

Michael Carter at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Carter has been activated from the injured reserve list and will play a big role in the Jets offense this weekend. The rookie was playing at a high level before he went down to injury, and I expect him to pick up where he left off against the Dolphins. Their defense as allowed 12 running backs to score double digit points, including six who have scored more than 15 against them.

More Starts

• David Montgomery vs. Vikings (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
• Javonte Williams vs. Bengals (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
• D’Onta Foreman at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains

• Myles Gaskin vs. Jets ($5,600)
• James Robinson vs. Texans ($5,400)
• D'Onta Foreman at Steelers ($5,200)

Week 15 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Ezekiel Elliott at Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): I had Zeke listed in this spot last week, and he scored a mere nine fantasy points while losing touches to Corey Clement. He’s not 100% due to a bum knee, and his touch share has dropped to below 30% in his last three games. The Giants are bad against backs, but Zeke is still a risk and even more so if Tony Pollard returns to action. I would temper your expectations again.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Sit ‘Em

Miles Sanders vs. Football Team (Tues. 7 p.m. ET, Fox): Sanders is dealing with an ankle ailment, so keep tabs on his status this week. If he’s able to start, he could be back in a committee situation with some combination of Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell. What’s more, he’ll face a Washington defense that’s allowed an average of 55.6 rushing yards agame to backs since Week 9. At best, Sanders is a risk-reward flex.

A.J. Dillon at Ravens (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Dillon led the Packers backfield in snaps and touches last week, but he didn’t score or see a single target with Aaron Jones at 100%. Jones also outscored him 21.5 to 7.1 in a win over the Bears. While Dillon’s usage as a runner was encouraging, his lack of chances as a receiver were not. He also has a tough game against the Ravens next on the slate, so he's a risk-reward flex option.

Chuba Hubbard at Bills (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Bills defense has been bad against the run in recent weeks, but it’s still allowed just five running backs to score more than 8.8 fantasy points this season. Hubbard led the Panthers in touch share last week, but it wasn’t overwhelming at 21.3%. Carolina could also fall into a negative game script, which would actually favor Ameer Abdullah in the team’s backfield this week.

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David Johnson at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Fantasy managers might be forced to start Johnson this week due to injuries and COVID-19 issues, but I'd still beware the veteran back. Even without Rex Burkhead, who is dealing with an injured hip, Johnson won't see a featured role with Royce Freeman mixing into the backfield. He's also failed to score double-digit points in all but three of his 11 games during the regular season.

More Sits

• Devonta Freeman vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Devin Singletary vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Mike Davis at 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades

• Aaron Jones at Ravens ($6,600)
• Miles Sanders vs. Football Team ($5,800)
• Chuba Hubbard at Bills ($5,700)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business!

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