Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Running Backs for Fantasy Football Week 17

Michael Fabiano | Dec 29, 2024

Bucky Irving (left) is a start this week while D’Andre Swift (right) is a sit. / Bucky Irving: Cooper Neill/Getty ImagesD’Andre Swift: Perry Knotts/Getty Images

It’s fantasy championship week, folks! 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 either exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their weekly opponent.

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Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs

1. Saquon Barkley vs. Cowboys
2. Bijan Robinson at Commanders
3. Jahmyr Gibbs at 49ers (Mon.)
4. Derrick Henry at Texans (Wed.)
5. Chase Brown vs. Broncos (Sat.)
6. Josh Jacobs at Vikings
7. Joe Mixon vs. Ravens (Wed.)
8. Kyren Williams vs. Cardinals (Sat.)
9. Jonathan Taylor at Giants
10. Zach Charbonnet at Bears (Thurs.)

Complete Week 17 running back rankings

Week 17 Start ‘Em: Running Backs

Tyjae Spears is the Week 17 RB Start of the Week. / Christine Tannous/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Start of the Week

Tyjae Spears at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Spears has been on absolute fire over the last two weeks, scoring 48.8 fantasy points. He also saw a 29 percent touch share last week, and Tony Pollard is out this week so it should be higher. Spears has also been getting red-zone work, seeing eight looks in the last two weeks. With a plus matchup against a Jaguars defense that’s allowed the third-most points to runners since Week 8, Spears is a nice flex option.

Start ‘Em

Bucky Irving vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Irving had a solid stat line last week, scoring 18.2 points in a loss to the Cowboys. Next up is a plus matchup against the Panthers, who have allowed 17-plus PPR points to running backs 10 times this season. What’s more, we have also seen their defense allow the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs over the last eight weeks. That makes Irving and Rachaad White both nice options this weekend.

Jerome Ford vs. Dolphins (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Ford, listed as a start ‘em last week, put up 24.1 points in a loss to the Bengals. He had a ton of work too, playing 52 snaps with a 36.4% touch share in the Browns backfield without Nick Chubb. I’d keep him in the lineup as a flex starter this week too, as he’ll face a Dolphins defense that can be generous to backs. That includes allowing two runners to beat them for 15-plus points since Week 13.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. Colts (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Tracy Jr. has been solid over the last month of action, as he’s scored 14-plus points in three of his last four games. I’d keep him in your flex spot this week too, as the rookie faces a plus matchup against the Colts. Over the last eight weeks, their defense has allowed nine total touchdowns and the sixth-most points to running backs. What’s more, five have beaten them for 15-plus points since Week 10.

RBs With Good Matchups

• Aaron Jones vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Breece Hall at Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Alexander Mattison at Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

Week 17 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Najee Harris is the Week 17 RB Sit of the Week. / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Sit of the Week

Najee Harris vs. Chiefs (Wed. 1 p.m. ET, Netflix): Harris, listed as a sit ‘em last week, put up a meager 4.2 fantasy points in a loss to the Ravens. He has another tough matchup in Week 17, as the veteran faces a Chiefs defense that’s allowed the third-fewest points to runners in the last eight weeks. Kansas City has also held running backs to six total touchdowns and 74.1 rushing yards per game during that time, so beware Harris.

Sit ‘Em

Rico Dowdle at Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Dowdle had his first bad game in a month last week, scoring just 8.1 points in a win over the Buccaneers. I’d beware him this week too, as he’ll face a tough matchup against the Eagles in Philadelphia. Their defense has given up just three touchdowns, 3.6 yards per rush and the fewest points per game to opposing backs in the last eight weeks, so Dowdle will be a risk-reward flex starter in Week 17.

D’Andre Swift vs. Seahawks (Thurs. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): Swift’s stats lately have been the equivalent of getting coal in your Christmas stocking. He’s failed to finish with more than 9.9 points in five straight games and six of his last seven overall. I’d put him on ice against the Seahawks, who have allowed fewer than four yards per rush and just one rushing touchdown to an enemy running back in the last eight weeks of action.

Travis Etienne vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Etienne Jr. was held to 5.7 fantasy points in last week’s loss to the Raiders, and he’s now failed to scored more than 12.5 points in 11 straight games. That includes six games where he was held to dingle digits. His usage has been tough to gauge on a week-to-week basis too, as Etienne Jr. shared the backfield work with Tank Bigsby. So, despite a decent matchup against the Titans, I’d keep Etienne Jr. on the bench.

RBs With Bad Matchups

• Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Chargers (Sat. 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network)
• Javonte Williams at Bengals (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network)
• Brian Robinson Jr. vs. Falcons (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)