Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Running Backs Fantasy Football Week 16: James Cook Stays Hot

The Bills RB was a league winner last week and he should continue to produce.

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 vs. Ravens (Mon.)
2. Kyren Williams vs. Saints (Thur.)
3. Rachaad White vs. Jaguars
4. Raheem Mostert vs. Cowboys
5. Alvin Kamara at Rams (Thur.)
6. James Cook at Chargers (Sat.)
7. Isiah Pacheco vs. Raiders (Mon.)
8. Jonathan Taylor at Falcons
9. Bijan Robinson vs. Colts
10. Jahmyr Gibbs at Vikings

Week 16 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 16 Start ’Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports

James Cook at Chargers (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, Peacock): Cook has been on absolute fire in recent weeks, scoring a combined 61.2 fantasy points in his last two games. He should continue his torrid statistical pace against the Chargers, who have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to running backs this season. What’s more, their defense has given up 17-plus points to opposing runners four times since Week 10.

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Start ’Em

Breece Hall vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Hall is coming off his worst game since Week 3, scoring a gross 2.8 points in a blowout loss to the Dolphins. I’d stick with him this week, though, as Hall has a plus matchup against a porous Washington defense. Over the last four weeks, their defense has allowed the seventh-most points and the second-most rushing yards to opposing runners.

Derrick Henry vs. Seahawks (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Henry was a massive dud last week, scoring an awful five points while rushing for 0.6 yards per rush against the Texans. While he’s no longer a must start, Henry did post 18-plus points in his previous three games and faces a plus matchup against the Seahawks. Over the last four weeks, their defense has allowed the third-most points to runners.

De’Von Achane vs. Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Achane has posted a pair of mediocre stat lines, scoring 12 and nine points in his last two games. I’d keep faith in the talented rookie, though, especially after seeing what Cook did to the Cowboys’ defense last week. Over the last four weeks, Dallas has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points and the third-most rushing yards to opposing running backs.

Chuba Hubbard at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hubbard continues to see a high volume of touches in the Panthers backfield, including at least 19 touches in four straight games. He’ll be a viable No. 2 back or flex starter against the Packers, who have surrendered the sixth-most points per game to backs in the last four weeks. Green Bay has also allowed runners to rush for almost five yards per attempt.

More Starts

Ezekiel Elliott at Broncos (8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network)
Aaron Jones at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
D’Andre Swift vs. Giants (Mon. 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Breece Hall vs. Commanders ($6,100)
Chuba Hubbard vs. Packers ($5,700)
Antonio Gibson at Jets ($5,200)

Week 16 Sit ’Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports

Saquon Barkley at Eagles (Mon. 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox): Barkley is tough to sit, so this is more of a warning to temper expectations when he faces the Eagles. Not only has their defense allowed just two touchdowns to runners at home, but it’s also given up the fifth-fewest points to the position at Lincoln Financial. Barkley has also scored single digit PPR points in three or his last five games this season.

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Sit ’Em

James Conner at Bears (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Conner has been giving out fantasy points like Santa Claus gives out gifts on Christmas Eve, scoring a combined 40.4 points in his last two games. This week, however, he could be a Grinch against the Bears. Over the last four weeks, their defense has allowed one touchdown and the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to backs. Conner is a risky No. 2 runner.

Javonte Williams vs. Patriots (8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network): Williams has been a disappointment in recent weeks, scoring 10.1 or fewer points in four of his last five games. He’s got a tough matchup next on the schedule too, as the Patriots have given up the fifth fewest points per game and 2.5 yards per rush to backs over the last four weeks. At best, Williams is a risky, low-end No. 2 fantasy runner.

Devin Singletary vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Singletary went off last week, as he scored 21 points in a win over the Titans. He’s also secured the featured role, as he saw 54.5% of the team’s backfield touches. That makes him a viable flex in most leagues, but I’d temper expectations against the Browns. Their defense can be tough on backs, allowing the ninth-fewest points to the position in 2023.

Gus Edwards at 49ers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC): Edwards found the end zone and should see more work with Keaton Mitchell out for the season, but he’s still tough to trust against the 49ers. Their defense has been hard on runners at home, allowing just three total touchdowns and the eighth-fewest points a game. Overall, backs have averaged the fourth-fewest points to backs on runs alone as well.

More Sits

Najee Harris vs. Bengals (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
Jerome Ford at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Zamir White at Chiefs (Mon. 1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

David Montgomery at Vikings ($6,900)
Tony Pollard at Dolphins ($6,700)
James Conner at Bears ($5,900)

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