Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Football Week 17: Running Backs - Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains

No Leonard Fournette? No problem, as Ronald Jones has a plus matchup vs. Jets.

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, Jonathan Taylor, 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 17 PPR Rankings: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | FLEX | KICKERS | TEAM DEFENSES (D/ST)

Week 17 Start ‘Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Ronald Jones at Jets (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Jones saw a near 45% touch share and scored 16.1 fantasy points without Leonard Fournette last week, and he should put up another nice stat line when the Buccaneers visit the Jets. Their defense has been brutal against running backs, allowing 26 total touchdowns and nearly 34 fantasy points per game to the position this season. Look for RoJo to shine for the Bucs in the Big Apple.

Week 17 Start ‘Em. Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS | TEAM DEFENSES

Start ‘Em

Javonte Williams at Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Williams didn’t do much last week against the Raiders, rushing seven times for a mere 12 yards with a rushing touchdown. I’d keep the faith in the talented rookie, though, as a matchup against the Chargers is next on the schedule. Their defense has allowed 11 total touchdowns and the seventh-most fantasy points to backs since Week 9, so Williams should rebound.

Darrel Williams at Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Williams doesn’t have a great matchup on paper this week, as the Bengals have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the opposition’s running backs since Week 9. Still, Williams will remain a volume-based No. 2 fantasy runner with Clyde Edwards-Helaire dealing with an injured collarbone. Williams is a free agent in many leagues, so check the wire to see if he’s available.

Devin Singletary vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Don’t look now, but Singletary is on a nice hot streak in the Bills’ backfield. He’s scored 14-plus fantasy points in each of his last three games, during which time he has dominated the team’s backfield snaps and touches. The Falcons have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs since Week 9, so Singletary is looking like a solid flex option in most leagues.

Elijah Mitchell vs. Texans (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Mitchell should be the Niners’ top running back this week, so put him back in fantasy lineups in what is a tremendous matchup against the Texans. Their defense has been terrible against running backs this season, allowing a combined 20 total touchdowns and the fourth-most fantasy points to the position, so Mitchell should be in line for success in fantasy championship week.

More Starts

• David Montgomery vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Damien Harris vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Rashaad Penny vs. Lions (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains

• Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. Texans ($5,600)
• Devin Singletary vs. Falcons ($5,400)
• Dare Ogunbowale at Patriots ($5,100)

Week 17 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Rex Burkhead at 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Burkhead went bananas last week, as he scored 28.9 fantasy points and saw a 42% touch share in a shocking win over the Chargers. I wouldn’t chase the points unless you’re in need, though, as the Niners have been tough on running backs lately. In fact, their defense has allowed just one runner to score more than 8.8 fantasy points against them in their last four games.

Sit ‘Em

Jaret Patterson vs. Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Patterson will be a popular add and start option during fantasy football championship week in the absence of Antonio Gibson, who was placed on the COVID-19 list. So while those in need might have to start him, I’d temper expectations. Jonathan Williams will also get some burn, and the Eagles’ defense has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to backs since Week 9.

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Michael Carter vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Carter is coming off a solid game for the Jets and fantasy managers alike, rushing for 118 yards on just 16 carries in a win over the Jaguars. While I like him more in PPR formats this week, I would beware the rookie in standard formats against the Buccaneers. No team in the league has given up fewer rushing yards to runners, so Carter will need to produce as a pass catcher.

D’Onta Foreman vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Foreman has scored 10-plus points in three of his last four games as the lead back in Tennessee, but he’s coming off a 7.7-point stinker in which he saw a 19.6% touch share. I’d beware the veteran runner in fantasy championship week against the Dolphins, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points including no total touchdowns to enemy running backs since Week 9.

Chuba Hubbard at Saints (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Hubbard’s stock has tumbled in recent weeks, as he’s failed to score more than 9.3 fantasy points since Christian McCaffrey was lost for the season. He’s also seen no more than a 21.3% touch share in his last three games, and those totals have declined in each of those contests. The Saints have also allowed the third-fewest rushing yards to opposing running backs.

More Sits

• Devonta Freeman vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• A.J. Dillon vs. Vikings (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
• Myles Gaskin at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades

• Cordarrelle Patterson at Bills ($6,900)
• James Conner at Cowboys ($6,100)
• Saquon Barkley at Bears ($6,000)

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!