RADIO
No. 12 - Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) vs. Chicago Bears
Jacobs has played phenomenally lately, scoring a touchdown in each of his last seven games. In fact, he has 11 total touchdowns during that span, ranking as the overall RB5 in 2024. However, his ranking does take a hit in Week 18 after he admitted that he doesn’t anticipate “taking that many carries in this game.”
Nevertheless, Jacobs is expected to be active and earn some touches as long as the Packers’ first-team offense remains on the field. He sneaks into the top 12 thanks to his matchup against a Bears defense allowing the third-most rushing yards and sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year.
No. 11 - Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Warren saw his stock rise last week after outproducing Najee Harris with 11 rushes for 71 yards on the ground, plus five catches for an additional 41 yards through the air. This week, he sneaks into the top 12 thanks to his strong Week 17 performance and the expectation that several top NFL running backs will be resting in Week 18.
This week, Warren faces the Bengals, who have allowed the 14th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. It’s not a terrific matchup, but it’s still favorable. Warren should handle around a dozen carries and a handful of targets while maintaining impressive efficiency.
No. 10 - Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings) at Detroit Lions
Jones takes on the Lions with the NFC’s No. 1 seed on the line. The veteran running back is coming off an RB18 finish in Week 17, but that outing was impacted by Jones aggravating his quad mid-game. The veteran running back’s injury status should continue to be monitored ahead of Sunday Night Football.
Assuming Jones plays in this pivotal matchup, he’ll have a tough matchup. The Lions are allowing the second-fewest rushing yards and ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. However, he scored a touchdown and finished as the RB13 when he last faced Detroit. Expect him to crack the top 10 with many of the NFL’s top running backs resting.
No. 9 - J.K. Dobbins (Los Angeles Chargers) at Las Vegas Raiders
Dobbins returned from injured reserve last week and immediately gashed the Patriots for 83 yards plus a touchdown. He finished as the overall RB8 in Week 17, giving him five top-10 finishes through a dozen games this year.
In Week 18, Dobbins gets another favorable matchup against the Raiders. Las Vegas has allowed the ninth-most points to opposing offenses, as well as the seventh-most receiving touchdowns to opposing running backs. The Chargers have a playoff berth secured, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a run-heavy approach on Sunday.
No. 8 - Rico Dowdle (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Washington Commanders
Dowdle handled a heavy workload once again last week, rushing for 104 yards on 23 carries despite the Cowboys playing from behind. He has over 100 rushing yards in four of his last five games, establishing himself as the centerpiece of Dallas’ offense with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) injured.
This week, Dowdle faces the Commanders, who have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2024. In his last outing against Washington, Dowdle totaled 98 scrimmage yards while ranking as the overall RB18. He should remain heavily involved in Week 18, especially if the Cowboys start Trey Lance over Cooper Rush.
No. 7 - Zach Charbonnet (Seattle Seahawks) at Los Angeles Rams
Charbonnet returned to the lead-back role last week with Kenneth Walker III (ankle) shut down for the final two contests. In a low-scoring tilt with the Bears, he rushed for 57 yards and added another 19 through the air. He wasn’t very efficient, but he did handle heavy volume while also getting involved as a receiver.
This week, Charbonnet faces the Rams, who have allowed the 11th-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2024. In the last matchup between these two teams, the Rams allowed Walker to total 83 rushing yards on 25 carries, plus an additional three catches for 24 yards through the air.
No. 6 - De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins) at New York Jets
Achane struggled last week, which has been a common theme when Tua Tagovailoa isn’t available. Getting the ball from Tyler Huntley, he rushed for just 25 yards and added another 13 through the air. Although Huntley is trending toward starting again in Week 18, we have more optimism about Achane’s productivity with a playoff berth on the line and a favorable matchup in store.
This week, Achane faces the Jets, who have allowed a rushing touchdown in each of their last two games. New York has also surrendered the 12th-most points to opposing offenses in 2024, putting Achane and the rest of his Dolphins teammates in a favorable spot.
No. 5 - Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The top five running backs in this list all belong to the same tier, with Taylor checking in at No. 5. He has been electric lately, totaling 343 rushing yards and five touchdowns over his last two games. Taylor ranks as the overall RB1 for two weeks in a row, cementing himself as a league-winner as the fantasy playoffs carry on.
This week, Taylor benefits from a favorable matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville’s defense has allowed the fifth-most rushing touchdowns, second-most receiving yards, and second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Not only does Taylor make the top five, but he has a clear path to being the overall RB1 for the third week in a row.
No. 4 - Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. New Orleans Saints
Irving had another spectacular game last week, gashing the Panthers for 190 total yards. He finished as the overall RB5 in fantasy football despite not scoring a touchdown. Irving is the clear No. 1 running back in Tampa Bay, and he should be a top-five fantasy running back as long as he’s able to play through shoulder and shin injuries in Week 18.
Irving gets another favorable matchup this week in the form of the Saints, who have allowed the most rushing touchdowns, sixth-most rushing yards, and fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. The rookie should feast once again this Sunday.
No. 3 - Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland Browns
Henry enjoyed his Christmas Day, totaling 165 yards and scoring a touchdown for the first time since Week 11. He took full advantage of a favorable matchup against the struggling Texans, and he should be able to do the same on Saturday against the Browns.
Cleveland has allowed the 12th-most rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs in 2024, as well as the eighth-most points to opposing offenses. We don’t expect much fight from them in Week 18 as they’re starting Bailey Zappe at quarterback with the No. 1 draft pick still in reach. This all bodes well for the Ravens to lean on the rushing attack with Henry and his fellow running backs.
No. 2 - Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) vs. Minnesota Vikings
The other half of Sunday night’s running back showdown is Gibbs, who has been feasting with David Montgomery (knee) sidelined. He has 431 total yards and four touchdowns over his last three games, demonstrating his dominance as both a runner and receiver.
Minnesota has been stingy on defense this season, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. However, Gibbs is matchup-proof, and he showed this back in Week 7 when he gashed the Vikings for 160 total yards and one touchdown on just 19 carries. He was the overall RB1 that week, and we expect a similar outcome this upcoming Sunday night with the NFC’s No. 1 seed up for grabs.
No. 1 - Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Carolina Panthers
The Falcons lost last week, but Robinson still had a great game, totaling 98 yards and two touchdowns. In two games with Michael Penix Jr. under center, Robinson has been the RB8 and RB4. He has over 1,700 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns this season, cementing himself as one of the NFL’s best running backs.
This week, Robinson faces the Panthers. Carolina has played better as a team lately, but they remain horrendous when it comes to slowing down opposing backfield. Just last week, they were gashed by Bucky Irving for 190 total yards. On the year, the Panthers have surrendered the most rushing yards, most fantasy points, and second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs.
