Start 'em and sit 'em running backs for Week 16 from senior fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano.
Week 16 Start ‘Em: Running Backs
Start of the Week
David Montgomery at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Montgomery has had a quartet of big games in a row, scoring five touchdowns and a combined 106.1 fantasy points. In that time, he’s seen a 41.4 percent touch share in the Bears backfield. He’ll look to make it four straight this week as the Bears go up against the Jaguars. Their defense has allowed 16 touchdowns and the third-most fantasy points to enemy backs, so Montgomery remains a virtual must-start option.
Week 16 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
- QUARTERBACKS
- RUNNING BACKS
- WIDE RECEIVERS
- TIGHT ENDS
- KICKERS
- TEAM DEFENSES
Be sure to check out my Week 16 rankings before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings.
MORE: Week 16 Rankings, Articles, Reports & Tools Hub
Start ‘Em
Tony Pollard vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Pollard was a superstar for fantasy fans last week, scoring 31.2 points while seeing a 42.9 percent touch share in the absence of Ezekiel Elliott. If Zeke is inactive once again, Pollard will remain a solid option when the Eagles visit the Jerry Dome. While the matchup is tough on paper, Pollard’s sheer volume makes him an attractive option in what could turn into a real shootout. Keep tabs on Elliott but be prepared to deploy Pollard.
J.K. Dobbins vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Dobbins has taken on a bigger role in the Ravens backfield, leading all runners in snaps, touch share, and fantasy points in the last two weeks. He’s been so good that the Ravens even made Mark Ingram a healthy scratch last week. Dobbins should be considered a No. 2 back or flex option in championship week, as he’ll face a Giants defense that’s allowed 13 total touchdowns and the ninth-most fantasy points to enemy runners.
Salvon Ahmed at Raiders (Sat. 8:15 p.m., NFLN): Ahmed was an early holiday gift last week, drawing a 38.7 percent touch share and scoring 21.7 points in a win over the Patriots. Assuming the Dolphins don’t get Myles Gaskin (COVID-19), I’d roll with Ahmed as a No. 2 back or flex starter when the Dolphins face Las Vegas. Their defense has been brutal against opposing running backs, allowing 19 total touchdowns and the fourth-most points to the position this season.
Leonard Fournette at Lions (Sat. 1 p.m. ET, NFLN): Whether it’s Fournette or Ronald Jones (COVID-19, finger) in the backfield, the Buccaneers' top running back will be in the mix as a No. 2 runner or flex during championship week. That’s due in large part to a great matchup against the Lions, who have struggled against enemy running backs this season. In fact, their vulnerable defense has surrendered 25 total touchdowns and the most fantasy points to the position in 2020.
More Starts
- Jeff Wilson Jr. at Cardinals (Sat. 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
- J.D. McKissic vs. Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
- Darrell Henderson at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX)
DFS Bargains
- Le’Veon Bell vs. Falcons (DraftKings: $5,800)
- Melvin Gordon at Chargers (DraftKings: $5,600)
- Darrell Henderson at Seahawks (DraftKings: $4,500)
Week 16 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Sit of the Week
James Conner vs. Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Conner missed last week’s game in Cincinnati with an injured quadriceps, but it’s tough to trust any Steelers back in a tough matchup against the Colts. Their defense has been tough against runners in games with DL DeForest Buckner and LB Darius Leonard, and Pittsburgh has done very little on the ground in the last month. At best, Conner or Benny Snell Jr. would be risk-reward flex options in fantasy championship weekend.
Sit ‘Em
Mike Davis at Football Team (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Davis is likely to be active in many leagues this week, assuming Christian McCaffrey (thigh) is out again. Even in that scenario, I’d temper expectations in a difficult matchup in Washington. Their defense has been tough on running backs, allowing 11 touchdowns and the third-fewest fantasy points to the position. In fact, only three opposing runners have scored more than 14.7 fantasy points against them all season long.
Wayne Gallman at Ravens (1 p.m. ET, FOX): The bloom seems to be off the rose for Gallman, who has seen his fantasy totals decline in each of his last four games. He lost snaps and touches to both Dion Lewis and Alfred Morris last week as well, as the G-Men seemed to go to more of a three-headed backfield. That’s bad news for Gallman, who also has a tough matchup against the Ravens next on the slate. At best, Gallman is a touchdown-dependent flex option this week.
Nyheim Hines at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Hines has seen his role decrease in recent weeks, averaging just 19 snaps and nine touches over his last two games. With Jonathan Taylor playing at such a high level, I’d expect this trend to continue against the Steelers. While their defense gave up a good game to Giovani Bernard last week, Pittsburgh has still allowed just 101.4 total yards and the fewest fantasy points to running backs. At best, Hines is a risk-reward flex starter.
Todd Gurley at Chiefs (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Gurley had a decent run earlier this season, but he’s simply not 100 percent at this point. That’s been evident in his usage, as Gurley has averaged just 19 snaps and 6.7 touches over his last three games. In fact, Ito Smith has been named Atlanta’s starting running back ahead of Week 16. So while this week’s matchup against the Chiefs is a favorable one on paper, Gurley is no longer on the radar as a potential fantasy starter.
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More Sits
- Sony Michel vs. Bills (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Giovani Bernard at Texans (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
- Frank Gore vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Fades
- Jonathan Taylor at Steelers (DraftKings: $7,300)
- Mike Davis at Football Team (DraftKings: $6,500)
- David Johnson vs. Bengals (DraftKings: $6,100)
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. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!
