Running Back Matchups to Target in Week 14 - James Conner, Tyrone Tracy, Chase Brown, Isaac Guerendo

December 7, 2024

John's favorite RB matchups to exploit for Week 14 of 2024 - DFS running backs to target on DraftKings and FanDuel. These RB matchups are GPP and cash game opportunities.

Welcome to RotoBaller's best running back matchups to target in Week 14 in DFS. Some RBs are obviously set to have good games, but that can inflate their cash price on various platforms, with good reason. However, you can exploit matchups that have more uncertainty around them.

There's a lot that goes into the production of different backs each week, including game script, the quality of the defense they're facing, and even how good the opposing offense is. Different RBs can be insulated to these things at different levels, of course.

Let's dive into our favorite running back matchups for Week 14.

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

$6.7k on DraftKings, $7.8k on FanDuel; @ Dallas Cowboys

Brown is a bit more on the expensive side, especially on FanDuel, but he draws a nuts matchup with the Dallas Cowboys and is in a backfield with very little competition in his way. The Cowboys have been very poor against the run this season, allowing the T-4th most rushing yards per attempt to opposing teams at 4.9 YPC.

Chase Brown ended up being just short of the goal line on this run (he ran it in for a TD on the next play), but it still showcases how explosive of a runner he is.@chasebrown____ #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/ZUCxhTESbJ

— Charles “Chux” Maranan (@ChuxMaranan) December 4, 2024

The Bengals have done a great job opening up holes for him, and his explosiveness allows him to essentially shoot himself out of a cannon and create long gains. He's been handling a massive amount of his team's backfield work, and with only recently-signed RB Khalil Herbert as competition, that should continue.

Chase Brown for 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/V4DL4zFeVF

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) December 1, 2024

It also seems like he'll continue to get all the goal-line work, and Dallas is the single worst team at stopping opponents from rushing for scores. We love Brown this week.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

$5.8k on DraftKings, $6.6k on FanDuel; vs. New Orleans Saints

It's not always great to rely on players on bad offenses, but Tracy was efficient last week despite a diminished role. He was somewhat benched due to his back-to-back games with lost fumbles but held on to the ball in Week 13. Tracy will now face the New Orleans Saints in Week 14.

TYRONE TRACY JR. 🔥

A 45-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO KEEP THE GIANTS IN IT 😤 #NYGvsPIT | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/MRLgsnavoq

— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2024

His recent turnover issues have likely depressed his value somewhat, but he gets a matchup with a defense that allows the seventh-most PPR fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. New Orleans allows the second-most rushing yards per attempt to opposing running backs this season.

We've seen the likes of Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker absolutely gash the Saints this season. Neither of them are deserving of starting roles, and they've done virtually nothing in their past two games.

Tracy is a better talent than both, and if he gets enough opportunities, he could smash in this favorable matchup.

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Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers

$5.4k on DraftKings, $5.2k on FanDuel; vs. Chicago Bears

Perhaps the best value in DFS slates this week comes from Guerendo. There's been pessimism about his ability to succeed, but he's a 4.33 40-yard-dash runner in a Kyle Shanahan scheme against a team that allows 4.9 yards per rush attempt. This is an obvious smash play for us.

Isaac Guerendo goes up the middle for 20 yards!

📺: #DALvsSF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0ezXoxcizK

— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024

There is simply not enough hype behind the rookie despite his ridiculous burst. He can find and exploit small creases in the defenses and make them pay. He's a threat to score any time he gets the ball. He's a ridiculous accelerator and will face a team that's excellent against the pass.

They're much more vulnerable to the run, and you have to think San Fran is coming in with a run-heavy game plan. This could be a massive game for the freshman. We think it should be his best game of the season so far so long as he gets the opportunities. His ceiling is extremely high.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

$6.7k on DraftKings, $7.6k on FanDuel; vs. Seattle Seahawks

Conner will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14. Seattle is a unit severely depleted by injuries on offense -- though not a ton of players are hurt, they're sorely lacking on offensive line talent, and it looks like running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle/calf) may not be able to play.

The Cardinals' defense has been playing very well over the past two months. This is a mismatch for the Seahawks, who could struggle to get anything going on the ground. Their poor offensive line has struggled to protect quarterback Geno Smith this season, especially after the retirement of center Connor Williams.

Since Week 7 the Arizona Cardinals Defense is:

2nd in PPG
2nd in yds per play
1st in YPG
1st in sacks

ELITE🔥 pic.twitter.com/tfcDZZIGOZ

— K1SinceDay1 (@KSzn2021) December 5, 2024

The Seahawks have also been poor against the run, allowing 4.7 yards per rush attempt to opposing teams. And we know the Cardinals prefer to run the ball first, as they rank 12th in rushing attempts per game. The game script for this contest could quickly move to a dominant defensive effort by Arizona, and they'll respond by running it heavily.

If the defense doesn't allow the Seahawks to score much, we could see Conner get a ton of rushing attempts and at least a few targets and receptions. There won't be much reason to take risks by airing out deep passes if the game is kept under control.

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your DFS contests!

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