RADIO
Week 15 will be a fascinating time for running backs in fantasy football. Many great NFL teams like the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers are dealing with injuries to their best running backs.
This is heartbreaking for fantasy owners with those players but it opens up a great deal of value and need from other talents this week. There are three very interesting plays at running back that may have question marks surrounding them but will ultimately pay off this week.
David Johnson has emerged as one of the best fantasy running backs to play right now. The injuries to Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington have made him a must-start player and this week’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles raises his stock even more.
Johnson should be ranked up there with Adrian Peterson and Devonta Freeman as the top running back plays of all players. Over the last two games since becoming the starter, Johnson has delivered a combined total 243 yards. While Johnson has only scored one touchdown in the two games, he’s showed a skill of finding the end zone earlier in the season and should have a tremendous chance here. Philadelphia has a weak defense and the better running backs have been able to dominate the matchup.
The most improbable fantasy option to come out of nowhere is veteran running back Tim Hightower. Following Mark Ingram’s season-ending injury, the New Orleans Saints have given Hightower the majority of touches and he looked quite impressive last week.
Hightower saw 28 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown in his first start and he should be able to duplicate it against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. Detroit has improved but their defense isn’t good enough to give them the benefit of the doubt. New Orleans usually puts up enough points and creates offensive opportunities to have their running back be a fantasy factor.
After disappointing for the majority of the season, Eddie Lacy has come alive for the Green Bay Packers. Lacy has rushed for over 100 yards in three of his last four games and is starting to get more touches after losing the lead running back work to James Starks.
The Oakland Raiders have an underrated rush defense but this should be a game that sees the Packers return to form. Green Bay has too many weapons to stay silent this far into a season and this game has the makings for a shootout. If the Packers offense gets hot, Lacy will have an excellent chance at a great game.
