X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Running Back (RB) Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for the Divisional Round(2025)

Jahmyr Gibbs - Fantasy Football, Rankings, Draft, Sleeper, DFS, Running Back

Matt's running back (RB) fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL season. His RB lineups advice for Divisional Round fantasy football start/sit decisions.

Lineup decisions are becoming increasingly difficult each week. For fantasy, of the eight teams remaining, the Chiefs, Eagles, Texans, and Lions have allowed the fewest fantasy points to the running back position this season. Only the Commanders and Bills have allowed fantasy production inside the top 20; there may be some foreshadowing there.

It's time to break down the good, the bad, and the ugly for this week's fantasy football matchups and see what advantages we can give our rosters this week.

"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." At RotoBaller, we are prepared for this week's fantasy football showdowns to create a successful outcome for you. Here are your Divisional Weekend starts and sits at the running back position.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Divisional Weekend Starts - Fantasy Football Booms

Derrick Henry - RB, Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills

Baltimore signed Derrick Henry for the playoffs. Even though Henry finished with 1,921 rushing yards, second to Saquon Barkley, this is what he was brought in for. In Henry's Ravens playoff debut, the bruising back averaged 7.2 yards per carry against the Pittsburgh Steelers on his way to 186 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Those in one-and-done contests may be kicking themselves after leaving 31.6 fantasy points on the bench in hopes of preserving Henry for later in the playoffs. If you are one of those people, this is the week I would strongly consider starting Henry. Assuming that the Chiefs beat the Texans in the other Divisional contest, the Bills' are the only favorable matchup remaining in the playoffs.

If you want to keep the ball out of Josh Allen's hands, run it. When you face a team that has allowed 25.52 fantasy points per game this season, the most of any playoff team and third-most in the NFL, it's as good as it's going to get. This season, Buffalo allowed 16 total touchdowns to backs, 10 on the ground, and six more in the passing game. They also surrendered 1,629 rushing yards and a league-high 750 receiving yards to opposing backs. If you are looking for a sleeper play this week, Justice Hill is also in a great spot to produce.

Jahmyr Gibbs - RB, Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders 

While the Bills have one of the worst fantasy defenses against opposing running backs, the Washington Commanders have the 30th-ranked run defense this season. Of all the teams that qualified for the postseason, no one is allowing more rushing yards per game than the Commanders, who allowed 135.4 per game this season and an average of 145 per game on the road.

While David Montgomery is expected to have a role this week, Jahmyr Gibbs is the back you want to plug into your lineups. Gibbs finished fifth in rushing yards this season with 1,412, averaging 5.65 yards per attempt. Gibbs was the most explosive back this season, as 10% of his runs resulted in gains of greater than 15 yards, with 41.8% of his total rushing yards coming as a result of those explosive plays.

Washington's run defense will need to find a way to bring Gibbs down to the turf. Only Henry, James Conner, and Bijan Robinson forced more missed tackles than Gibbs' 58, which earned him a missed tackles forced per attempt rate of 0.23 this season. On paper, Washington is outclassed in the trenches, where the Lions' offensive line kept Gibbs clean, as the back would average 3.30 yards before contact per attempt.

Saquon Barkley - RB, Philadelphia Eagles vs  Los Angeles Rams

There are only a handful of backs to choose from. We are starting the backs who face fantasy's friendliest defense. We are also starting the backs who face playoff teams that are allowing the most rushing yards per game. So it's only fitting that we fire up the back who led the league in rushing yards and fantasy points in Saquon Barkley this week as well. Sometimes, you just have to pick that low-hanging fruit.

Considering Barkley lost out on plenty of opportunities inside the 5-yard line, his 13 rushing touchdowns are that much more impressive. Of the Eagles' carries inside the five-yard line, Barkley accounted for just 41.5% of them. For perspective, of running backs with at least 70 carries this season, that ranks 36th. Henry, Joe Mixon, Chuba Hubbard, Breece Hall, James Conner, and Kyren Williams were well over 70%.

Barkley finished last week with 119 rushing yards on 25 carries and easily could have added to that total after breaking through to the third level with under a minute remaining in the game, choosing to give himself up rather than add another 70 yards and a touchdown to his box score. Barkley got his first taste of playoff victory and has acquired a thirst for it moving forward.

 

Divisional Weekend Sits - Fantasy Football Busts

Joe Mixon - RB, Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Mixon played a significant role in the Texans advancing out of the Wild Card Round last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mixon ran for 106 yards on 25 attempts, including a 17-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, which put the game out of reach.

Unlike Rex Ryan, I'm not going to say that the Chiefs have a bye this week, but things will be much more difficult for Mixon against Chris Jones and company than last week. This season, the Chiefs allowed 101.8 rushing yards per game, the fifth-fewest, and just 96.5 yards on the ground at Arrowhead. 

For fantasy, no team allowed less production this season than the Chiefs, who allowed opposing running backs to average 16.24 fantasy points per game. Running backs accounted for just 1,610 total yards and nine touchdowns this season against Steve Spagnuolo's unit, who also happened to be the No. 1 scoring defense in the league through 17 weeks. 

Kyren Williams - RB, Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles

It doesn't matter who this Eagles defense is facing. Opposing running backs are going to be in for a long day. Last week, Josh Jacobs had a successful game on the ground, running for 81 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against this Eagles front. Then again, 31 of those 81 yards came on one play. On the season, that hasn't been the norm.

Philadelphia is allowing 104.3 rushing yards per game this season, the ninth-fewest in the league. The 16.35 fantasy points per game they conceded during the regular season are the second-fewest, trailing only the Chiefs in that category.

Kyren Williams is one of the best in the business when it comes to finding his way to the end zone. In the last two seasons, including the playoffs, Williams has punched it in for six on 32 separate occasions, including a nice five-yard touchdown reception on Wild Card Weekend against the Vikings. The unstoppable force meets an immovable object, as the Eagles allowed only seven rushing touchdowns this season.

Philadelphia is arguably the best defense remaining in the playoffs. They rank first in total defensive DVOA, first in yards allowed, second in both pass and run DVOA, and third in touchdowns allowed. To make a long story short, just avoid anyone who is strapping on a helmet against the Eagles this week.

Isiah Pacheco - RB, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

One of two things is or will be happening. One, the Chiefs are pulling one over on us and are about to unleash Isiah Pacheco in the playoffs yet again. Last season, Pacheco made a name for himself in these fantasy streets, rushing for 313 yards and three touchdowns in four postseason contests.

The other possibility is that Pacheco is still not 100%, even after having the last two weeks off. In the first two weeks of the regular season, Pacheco posted 15.8 and 16.1 fantasy performances thanks to 189 total yards and a touchdown. However, since he returned in Week 13, Pacheco's best outing came against the Chargers, where he had 61 total yards. In the five games since he returned, Pacheco averaged just five fantasy points per game.

Much like the Chiefs and the Eagles, fantasy production has been challenging when facing this Houston Texans team. This season, opposing running backs averaged 18.72 fantasy points per game, the third-fewest. Houston was stingy up front, allowing just 1,466 rushing yards, 476 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns to the position.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Charlie Morton

Continues Good Work With 10 Strikeouts
James Wood

Homers, Drives in Four
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice to Snap Skid
Isaac Paredes

Astros Hopeful Isaac Paredes Can Avoid the Injured List
Royce Lewis

Dealing With Hamstring Strain
Kodai Senga

Diagnosed With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Gleyber Torres

Goes Deep Twice on Friday
Jonathan India

Leaves With Apparent Shoulder Injury
Evan Carter

Leaves Early With Wrist Soreness
Anthony Richardson

Should be Fine for Training Camp
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
A.J. Puk

Pauses Throwing Program
Matt Chapman

Can Begin Rehabbing in a Week
Logan Gilbert

Next Start Could Come in the Big Leagues
Cam Akers

Joining Saints
Yordan Alvarez

Still Not Hitting
Michael Mayer

to Get More Involved
Aaron Rodgers

DK Metcalf Building Chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Colston Loveland

Likely to be Primary Tight End
Jacob Wilson

Returns on Friday
Justin Martinez

Out 12-13 Months With UCL Sprain
Will Johnson

Returns to Practice
Harold Fannin Jr.

Could Have Big Role in Rookie Season
Matt Chapman

Could Miss the Rest of June
Quentin Johnston

Still Running With Starters
Rashawn Slater

Takes Part in Minicamp
Jack Bech

Mostly Working With Second-Team Offense
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Makes Strides This Offseason
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Ashton Jeanty

to be Part of Committee Backfield?
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Christian McCaffrey

Takes Part in Mandatory Minicamp
Jordan Watkins

has Been Standing Out
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Jacob Cowing

on the Rise
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Demarcus Robinson

a Frequent Target This Spring
Dee Winters

has Been Impressive This Spring
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Cody Brundage

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alonzo Menifield

Opens Up UFC Atlanta Main Card
Oumar Sy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Aaron Civale

Traded to the White Sox
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled With Cramps
Framber Valdez

Punches Out 12 in Win
Isaac Paredes

Homers, Exits Early With Hamstring Injury
D.J. Humphries

Rams Sign D.J. Humphries on Thursday
Troy Franklin

has Had a Good Offseason
Jacob Misiorowski

Leaves Game with Ankle Injury
Mike Williams

Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Trey Benson

Adds Weight, Explosiveness
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Chris Kreider

Ducks Acquire Chris Kreider From Rangers
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Cale Makar

Wins His Second Norris Trophy
Lane Hutson

Voted NHL's Best Rookie
CGY

Adam Klapka Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Considered a Game-Time Call Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Undergoes Successful Knee Procedure
Kevin Porter Jr.

Likely to Decline Player Option
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Kevin Durant

Knicks Not Looking to Trade for Kevin Durant
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
Jordan Spieth

Can Contend at Oakmont
Shane Lowry

a Strong Value Play at U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka

Seeks Another Major Win at Oakmont
Viktor Hovland

Still Can Improve at U.S. Open
Michael Kim

a Boom-or-Bust Value Play at U.S. Open
Russell Henley

Looking to Play the Weekend at Oakmont
Tyrrell Hatton

a Safe Option at U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Eyeing Third U.S. Open Title
Darius Garland

Kings Targeting Darius Garland
Kevin Durant

Expected to Be Moved Soon
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Reportedly Has "No Trade Market"
Jarace Walker

Remains Out Wednesday
Tyrese Haliburton

"Fine" For Wednesday's Action
Denny Hamlin

Charges Late to Win at Michigan
Carson Hocevar

Michigan Run is Derailed by A Late-Race Flat Tire
Kyle Larson

Up-and-Down Day Ends With Top-Five Finish at Michigan
Ross Chastain

Quietly Finishes Sixth at Michigan
Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Says Rehab Going "Great"
Corey Perry

Nets Power-Play Goal in Monday's Loss
Stuart Skinner

Gets Pulled in Heavy Game 3 Defeat
Evan Rodrigues

Extends Scoring Streak with Multi-Point Effort
Sam Reinhart

Collects Two Points in Monday's Win
Chris Buescher

Takes Second Place After William Byron Runs Out of Fuel
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has a Great Points Day to Build Buffer Over the Playoff Cut Line
Ryan Blaney

Flat Tire Results in Poor Finish for Ryan Blaney
Alex Bowman

Playoffs in Doubt After Stage 2 Crash at Michigan
Sean O'Malley

Submitted For The First Time In His Career
Merab Dvalishvili

Defends Bantamweight Belt At UFC 316
Julianna Peña

Julianna Pena No Longer A Champion
Kayla Harrison

Is The New Champion
Joe Pyfer

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum

Drops Decision
Patchy Mix

Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
Mario Bautista

Extends His Win Streak
Vicente Luque

Submitted At UFC 316
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF