Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Running Backs Fantasy Football Week 15: Ezekiel Elliott Emerges

The veteran rusher goes from backup to potential league winner.

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 or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs

1. Christian McCaffrey at Cardinals
2. Alvin Kamara vs. Giants
3. Kyren Williams vs. Commanders 
4. Rachaad White at Packers
5. Saquon Barkley at Saints
6. Bijan Robinson at Panthers
7. Austin Ekeler at Raiders (Thur.)
8. Travis Etienne vs. Ravens (Mon.)
9. Derrick Henry vs. Texans
10. Tony Pollard at Bills

• Complete Week 15 Player Rankings

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

Week 15 Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

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Ezekiel Elliott vs. Chiefs (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Elliott looked good against Pittsburgh last week, scoring a season-high 27 points in PPR formats. He saw 66% of New England’s touches out of the backfield, too, and he was targeted eight times in the pass attack. He’ll be a viable RB2/flex option against the Chiefs, who just gave up 141 scrimmage yards and 25.1 fantasy points to James Cook last weekend.

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Start ’Em

David Montgomery vs. Broncos (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network): The Lions have gone full committee with Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery, and both are nice options this week against the Broncos. While their defense has been better versus backs lately, this unit did just allow 21 points to Austn Ekeler. Montgomery has also scored a rushing touchdown in all four of his games at Ford Field this season.

Najee Harris at Colts (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network): Harris has struggled in the last two weeks, scoring a combined 17.5 points with no touchdowns. I like him to rebound this week, though, as Harris faces a generous Colts defense that has allowed 15-plus points to running backs 10 times this season. In all, Indianapolis has allowed the fourth-most points to runners and the third most since Week 12.

D’Andre Swift at Seahawks (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Swift has been a real dud in recent weeks, scoring a combined 16.3 points in his last three games. Still, it’ll be tough to ignore this week’s matchup against the Seahawks. Their defense has been awful against runners, allowing 16 total touchdowns and the fifth-most points to the position this season. He’s a risk, but Swift does have flex potential.

Jerome Ford vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Ford continues to put up decent totals, scoring at least 11.9 points in six straight games. I’d start him again this week, as he faces a plus matchup against the Bears. Their defense has allowed the 10th-most points to runners, including the most points to the position as receivers. Ford, a versatile back, should be in the mix as a runner and pass catcher once again.

More Starts

Jaylen Warren at Colts (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network)
Rachaad White at Packers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Derrick Henry vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

James Cook vs. Cowboys ($6,500)
Ezekiel Elliott vs. Chiefs ($5,800)
Antonio Gibson at Rams ($5,200)

Week 15 Sit ’Em Running Backs

Sit of the Week

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Kenneth Walker vs. Eagles (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Walker made his return to action last week, and it was less than stellar. He finished with just 9.4 points, and more importantly, continued to lose work to rookie Zach Charbonnet. This week’s matchup against the Eagles is a bad one, too, as their defense has allowed four total touchdowns and the second-fewest fantasy points to runners this season.

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Sit ’Em

Javonte Williams at Lions (Sat. 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network): Williams had a nice stat line last week, scoring 18.1 points in a win over the Chargers. It was his first game with more than 10.1 points in the last four weeks, however, and he’ll be a risk on Saturday night in Detroit. Their run defense has allowed the fourth-fewest points to backs, including the second-fewest rushing yards allowed per game.

James Conner vs. 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Conner’s last game was a big one, as he shredded his former team, the Steelers, for 22.5 points. He had failed to put up more than 8.3 points in his previous five games, however, and a matchup vs. the 49ers makes Conner a gamble. The last time he faced San Francisco (Week 4), the veteran was held to just 6.6 points. At best, Conner is a shaky flex option.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Edwards-Helaire received more work last week in the absence of Isiah Pacheco, but he still failed to make much of a fantasy impact. That’s the likely scenario this week, too, as he’ll face a Patriots defense that’s been tough on runners. In fact, no defense in the league has allowed fewer points to the position over the last four weeks of the season.

Devin Singletary at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Texans backfield rotation is a headache, but Singletary did seem to take the “lead” role last week. Regardless, he remains a risk while Dameon Pierce is also getting work, and a matchup against the Titans isn’t favorable. Their defense has been tough on running backs at home, allowing just two touchdowns and the second-fewest points to the position.

More Sits

Chuba Hubbard vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
D'Onta Foreman at Browns (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Gus Edwards at Jaguars (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Aaron Jones vs. Buccaneers ($6,500)
James Conner vs. 49ers ($5,700)
Devin Singletary at Titans ($5,400)

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