Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Running Backs for Fantasy Football Week 18

Michael Fabiano | Jan 2, 2025

Bucky Irving (left) is a start this week while Breece Hall (right) is a sit. / Bucky Irving: Cooper Neill/Getty Images Breece Hall: Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

It’s Week 18, folks! For you crazies who play this week, let’s set those fantasy lineups and take home a championship! Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I'll examine the quarterbacks who could exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their opponents.

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I, as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All Positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K & DSTs

Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs

1. Bijan Robinson vs. Panthers
2. Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Vikings
3. Derrick Henry vs. Browns (Sat.)
4. Bucky Irving vs. Saints
5. Josh Jacobs vs. Bears
6. Jonathan Taylor vs. Jaguars
7. Zach Charbonnet at Rams
8. Chase Brown at Steelers (Sat.)
9. Aaron Jones at Lions
10. J.K. Dobbins at Raiders

Complete Week 18 running back rankings

Week 18 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Start of the Week

Bucky Irving vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Irving had a solid stat line last week, scoring 23 points in a win over the Panthers. He also saw 36% of the Bucs backfield touches, taking over a featured role. Next up is a plus matchup against the Saints, who have allowed 16-plus points to running backs 12 times this season. What’s more, we have also seen their defense allow the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs over the last eight weeks.

Start ‘Em

J.K. Dobbins at Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Dobbins (knee) returned to action in Week 17, seeing 20 touches and scoring 15.3 fantasy points in a win over the Patriots. Next up he’ll face the Raiders, who have allowed running backs to beat them for 14.5 or more PPR points 11 times this season. What’s more, Dobbins was one of those runners, as he put up 135 rushing yards, a touchdown and 22.9 points against the Silver & Black in Week 1.

Zach Charbonnet at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Charbonnet put up a disappointing stat line last week, scoring just 10.9 points in a win over the Bears. If he remains in a featured role this week, however, I’m sticking with the U.C.L.A. product in a meaningless game in Los Angeles. Opposing running backs have beaten the Rams defense for at least 12.9 points 12 times this year, including four who have hit that mark in the last six weeks.

RBs With Good Matchups

• Najee Harris vs. Bengals (Sat. 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
• Blake Corum vs. Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Kenneth Gainwell vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Week 18 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Breece Hall at Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Hall put up a stinker last week, scoring 6.3 points in a blowout loss to the Bills. He saw just 11 touches in the game, which was due in part to the game script. I’d beware Hall this week too, as the Jets have nothing to pay for and the Dolphins have held backs to 3.9 yards per rush and just three touchdowns in their last eight games. As a result, Hall is tough to trust as more than a high-end flex starter.

Sit ‘Em

D’Andre Swift at Packers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Swift’s stats lately have been middling of late, as he’s failed to finish with more than 9.9 points in five of his last six games and in seven of his last eight overall. I’d put him on ice against the Packers, who are playing for playoff seeding while the Bears are just wrapping up the season. Swift, who has also failed to put up more than 75 scrimmage yards in five of his last eight games, is a shaky flex this week.

Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Stevenson got the start last week, but he barely touched the ball the rest of the game and finished with 0.10 points in a loss to the Chargers. Clearly in the doghouse of coach Jero Mayo, Stevenson is impossible to trust for those fantasy managers who are playing in Week 18. Antonio Gibson could once again see the majority of the backfield touches and would be the New England back to start.

RBs With Bad Matchups

• Joe Mixon at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• James Cook at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Javonte Williams vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)