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

Top 10 Running Back Studs - Best Fantasy Football RB Performances Including Bucky Irving, Bijan Robinson, Najee Harris And More

Bucky Irving - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Alex jumps into the top 10 PPR running back performances from Week 13 of the 2024 season. Good luck with your final playoff push!

Week 13 felt strange, even though it was the first time since Week 8 that we had a full slate of football. However, stay vigilant, as there is one more six-team bye week that I hope you've been preparing for. That'll be your final test. Your final push for the playoffs relies on a week with no Ravens, Broncos, Colts, Texans, Patriots, or Commanders. Ouch! Additionally, this week was full of duds, so if you've already clinched a playoff spot -- congrats! If not, buckle down; you've got one more week.

Six of the games this weekend were divisional outings, and they were all one-score matchups, making this weekend feel weirder -- even though the Steelers and the Bengals provided us with a bunch of fantasy fireworks. Still, rushing scores were down overall in this slate, matching the fewest through any week this season (23). You'll notice we have a new face donning the top spot this week -- more on him below -- while other mainstays continue their weekly residency in this feature.

With no teams on bye, the only players not qualifying for this list are the Cleveland Browns' Nick Chubb and Javonte Williams of the Denver Broncos. Now, get to those waiver wires and prepare for "byepocalypse" part deux. Let's dive into Week 13's top running back plays.

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

 

Top 10 Running Backs of the Week (Including SNF)

Here are the top-10 running backs from Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season in PPR scoring:

Rank Player Team Points
1 Bucky Irving TB 27.5
2 Bijan Robinson ATL 25.5
3 Najee Harris PIT 24.9
4 Joe Mixon HOU  21.9
5 Josh Jacobs GB 21.7
6 Rico Dowdle DAL 21.3
7 De'Von Achane MIA 21
8 Saquon Barkley PHI 19.7
T-9 James Cook BUF 19
T-9 Chase Brown CIN  19

1. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rachaad White got the ceremonial first few backfield touches in this one, but it was undoubtedly all Bucky Irving in Tampa's win over the Carolina Panthers. The rookie was again impressive, tallying 185 yards and a touchdown on 28 touches. Irving rushed for 152 yards on his 25 totes (6.08 YPC) and hauled in all three of his targets for the other 33.

Tampa Bay's fourth-round selection in this year's draft was a menace on Sunday, ripping off five yards or more on several occasions. His longest gain of the day was a 43-yard burst where he perfectly followed his blocking, breaking a tackle and scooting up the sideline. The touchdown came from six yards out.

It's been an excellent run for the 22-year-old, who has at least 73 rushing yards, three receptions, and a touchdown in his previous three outings. Additionally, he appears to have superseded White as the preferred lead back -- picking up more targets and receptions than his predecessor over the last two weeks.

With his outlook on the rise, Irving gets a slightly stiffer matchup in Week 14 when his team hosts the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders aren't the scariest test, but they aren't exactly fantasy-friendly either. Still, it'd be tough to sit him right now.

2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Coming off the bye, Bijan Robinson didn't miss a beat despite his squad losing 17-13 to the Los Angeles Chargers. It was another strong performance for him, piling up 26 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown, adding 33 yards through the air on 6-of-6 receiving. Honestly, it's a wonder they could do anything offensively with quarterback Kirk Cousins tossing four interceptions. Still, the 22-year-old got it done.

The second-year back has been a fantasy force in 2024, racking up six games of at least 21.5 fantasy points in his last seven appearances and recording seven touchdowns over that span.

Robinson is one of the safer fantasy assets, garnering heavy workloads both on the ground and through the air. He's an elite RB1 pick weekly, and that doesn't change despite a difficult outing against a staunch Minnesota Vikings run defense in Week 14. The former first-round pick is one of the few matchup-proof options in fantasy football.

3. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh and Cincinnati played a wild one on Sunday afternoon, and Najee Harris had an excellent day in his team's 44-38 win. The 26-year-old accrued 75 yards and a touchdown on his 16 carries, adding 54 yards through the air on six of six receiving.

Harris started off the game receiving six touches on the Steelers' first two drives of the game, totaling 53 yards in what would be a foreshadowing of a productive day. It was only his second outing all season with 20 or more fantasy points and the first time since Week 6 that he's done so.

Despite ceding a lot of work to backfield mate Jaylen Warren in the Week 12 snow game versus the Cleveland Browns, he and Cordarrelle Patterson combined for just six carries.

The fourth-year back has been a viable RB2 option all season and will get another matchup against those very same Browns again in Week 14. It'd be nice if he got this type of role in the passing game every week, as it would drastically boost his fantasy floor.

Whether that remains the case is still to be determined, but as long as his appearance against the Browns isn't once again in the snow, fantasy managers can start Harris as a mid-low-end RB2.

4. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

The Houston Texans completed the season sweep of the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-20 in nearly the same fashion they did when they first squared off back in Week 4 (24-20). Joe Mixon didn't get to suit up for the division rivals' first meeting, but he was incredible yet again on Sunday -- just as he has been for the entirety of the season.

The former Cincinnati Bengal churned out 101 yards and a touchdown on his 20 carries, pulling in four of six targets for another 18 yards receiving. He's been superb in 2024, rushing for a touchdown and 100 or more yards in seven of 10 contests. That list includes the game where he went down with an ankle injury and played just 47% of the team's snaps.

Mixon and the Texans have a bye in Week 14 before returning home to face the visiting Miami Dolphins the following Sunday.

5. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Despite putting together another valuable fantasy performance, Josh Jacobs was inefficient against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. The sixth-year veteran rushed for an abysmal 43 yards on his 19 totes (2.26 YPC), scoring a touchdown in the 30-17 win. However, he produced 74 yards through the air -- reeling in all four of his targets to help elevate his stat line further.

Jacobs has been white-hot, turning in his third straight 20-plus-point fantasy performance. Additionally, he'd tally at least four receptions for the second time in his last three. Over the three-game stretch, the 26-year-old has racked up 357 total yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Even in a tough Week 14 matchup against the division-rival Detroit Lions, the lead back will be a recommended fantasy option -- firmly entrenched as an RB1.

6. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys

Rico Dowdle and the Dallas Cowboys kicked off the week on Thanksgiving Day, featured during a slate in which all three home teams emerged victorious. The Cowboys won their meeting against the New York Giants 27-20, and the South Carolina product was a large part of the effort. For what it's worth, the box score makes this game appear closer than it felt.

Dowdle diced up the Giants all afternoon, rushing for 112 yards on his 22 carries, chipping in an additional 11 yards while bringing in all three targets. The 26-year-old set high marks with his rushing output and carry totals in a fantastic effort. He dominated the backfield share in Week 13, amassing 25 touches, while Ezekiel Elliott and Hunter Luepke combined for eight yards on four touches.

The Cowboys have an intriguing Week 14 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals on tap. See Najee Harris above.

7. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins couldn't continue their winning ways Thursday evening, falling 30-17 to a Packers squad seemingly out to prove something. Still, De'Von Achane got his -- registering eight receptions, 56 yards, and a touchdown on nine targets. His work on the ground wasn't at all remarkable, though (7/14).

Thus far in 2024, he's been Miami's most consistent fantasy asset aside from tight end Jonnu Smith. This year is weird.

Achane is becoming almost automatic through the air. It's uncanny. Fantasy managers would surely like to see the second-year back do a bit more in his role on the ground. However, there are only so many backs you'd want over him for fantasy purposes in this role.

Keep rolling with the Texas native, especially in an outing against the New York Jets in Week 14, whose defensive unit hasn't been the same without former head coach Robert Saleh.

8. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Talk about automatic. Saquon Barkley was his usual productive self in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The superstar back again went over 100 yards on the ground (107), scoring a touchdown on his 23 totes. He notched four targets, corralling only two for 10 yards receiving. Ho-hum.

It has been an incredible season for the former New York Giant, matching his career-best 11 rushing scores with five games left to play. For the record, he's still on pace to break the all-time mark with 2,123.58.

He moves differently.

Barkley gets a choice matchup next weekend in a Carolina Panthers squad that had allowed the second-most rushing yards (1,766) and touchdowns (17) of any other team leading up to Week 13.

T-9. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

In yet another snow game, the Bills could not be stopped -- trampling the San Francisco 49ers 35-10. For all the talk about the Lions and their dominance, Buffalo has scored 30 or more points in six straight outings and a win in seven consecutive games. Even with the inclement weather, James Cook was incredible -- leading the Bills' offense on a night when their ground game was the difference.

The former Georgia Bulldog rushed 14 times for 107 yards -- including a 65-yard touchdown -- in the victory, bringing in his sole target for a gain of 13 yards. It's always fun to see whether snow will affect a player or not. It did not appear to do so for Buffalo's ground game. Perhaps a testament to their home-field advantage.

Cook will face another vulnerable opponent next Sunday: the Los Angeles Rams. Heading into Week 13, the Rams had allowed the second-most rushing yards to their opponents (1,587).

T-9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

In one of the bigger surprises of the second half, Chase Brown has been quite the stud since taking over as Cincinnati's full-time back. The 24-year-old was again uber-effective despite his team losing yet another one-score game. There always seems to be one of those teams that loses all their one-score matchups every year, and that appears to be the Bengals.

Brown rushed 12 times for 70 yards and a touchdown (5.83 YPC), hauling in all three of his targets for 30 yards. His touchdown was a one-yard goal-line plunge. Even more encouraging is the fact that he continues to get the lion's share of opportunities out of Cincinnati's backfield. Teammate Khalil Herbert garnered just one touch.

The Illinois product gets the Dallas Cowboys next Monday night in Week 14 in an interesting matchup. On paper, Dallas is a solid spot for RBs -- but they've been better over recent weeks with key pieces returning from injury.

Still, they gave up 109 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries to Mixon three weeks ago. So, Brown is still likely to be productive again, particularly if his role in the passing game continues.

Thanks for reading, and best of luck in all your matchups in Week 14!



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

Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF