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

Warning Signals Playoff Primer - Running Back

Dominick Petrillo looks at warning signs for big-name running backs with difficult schedules during the fantasy playoffs to help fantasy owners with weekly lineup prep.

Looking ahead to the fantasy playoffs, typically between Week 14-16, there are a number of top backs who have difficult matchups to contend with. The following are three RBs you should temper your expectations for.

All of these players are starters on all fantasy rosters. But with difficult games on the horizon, their numbers may leave you a little down in the dumps as you try to win that championship. I am well aware you will need to start these running backs and trade deadlines have passed. But whereas they may normally have top-10 potential on a regular week, you will need to consider finding some higher upside players to buoy your other positions to make up for what could be a lack of points here.

This is why you need to use the waiver wire wisely during the season. If you picked up a back like Miles Sanders after he was dropped, you might be relieved right now. With games in the coming weeks against the Dolphins, Giants and Redskins, you could have a league winner in him. These backs on the other hand? Well, you are being warned ahead of time...

Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.

 

Tevin Coleman (RB, SF)

The 49ers are one of the best run offenses in the NFL. Along with the Ravens, no one runs the ball more per game. But the distribution of those rush attempts leaves a lot to worry about. With Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert lining up with Coleman, this is a difficult backfield to figure out. Coleman has only carried the ball 20 times once this year and has 12 or fewer rush attempts each of the last five games.

Not only is Coleman's usage hard to predict, but the playoff weeks are going to be against some tough opponents also. Week 14 begins with a road game against the New Orleans Saints - a game that could determine the number one seed in the NFC. The Saints Defense has been strong of late. With Marcus Lattimore hopefully back and healthy, the pass defense will be just as formidable as their run defense. With Cam Jordan leading the front seven, the Saints will get to the quarterback and make things very difficult for Coleman or Breida to run the ball.

Week 15 is easier with the Falcons coming to town but that defensive unit has quickly turned from a must-start against to a trap play. Then, if you make it to your championship game, this brings Aaron Donald and the Rams to town. While the Rams offense has been massively disappointing for fantasy owners this season, their defense is a different matter. Yes, Coleman gained over 100 yards against them in their last meeting. And yes, the Rams just got torched by Lamar Jackson. But they will have a lot to play for, least of all pride, and will want to avenge their loss from earlier in the season. It's not a given that Coleman will put up big numbers.

 

Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL)

Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best backs in the league. In two of his first three seasons, he led the league in rushing yards. This said, 2019 has been different. Not only does he look like a different runner, but the Cowboys are willing to use Tony Pollard at times to spell him. This was something unthinkable in past seasons when Elliott had over 90% of the team's rush attempts.

To go along with his reduction in usage as well as his slip in production, the fantasy playoff schedule is also tough. In a Week 14 Thursday night game, Dallas will take on Chicago. They've disappointed as a whole but their defense is still formidable and just held Saquon Barkley to under 60 rush yards in Week 12. The Bears Defense may not be the juggernaut it was in 2018, but it is still a top-five unit.

Week 15 brings the Rams and Aaron Donald as the opponent. As with Coleman, the Rams Defense has been very good against the run this season, allowing the 10th-fewest fantasy points to RBs.

Championship week could be the hardest game of all. Not only because it is a road divisional game, but because the Eagles run defense is the third-best unit in the league. The defense as a whole is getting better. This game will also likely be for a playoff spot. The normally tenuous matchup is going to be tenser. Yes, Rashaad Penny was able to run for 129 yards this week on the Eagles. But 51 of those yards were on one play after a long afternoon of carrying the offense. They also got to Russell Wilson and caused two fumbles from Chris Carson who himself, only ran for 26 yards.

Of course, Elliott is going to start for you and rightly so. But in a down season production-wise, with a gauntlet of tough games don’t count on a 30-point performance when you need it most.

 

Aaron Jones (RB, GB)

Aaron Jones has finally been freed. He is still sharing time with Jamaal Williams, but it is clear he is the lead back and the best back in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers finally trusts him in the pass-blocking game, and this means he is getting the run he deserves.

The only problem is he is in a division with two of the best run defenses and the fantasy playoffs bring games against both of them. The only saving grace is that he gets the Redskins in Week 14 to start the playoffs on a good foot.

After the juicy Redskins game, the Packers will need to test their mettle against a Bears team who would love nothing more than to ruin a chance for Green Bay to win the division. They will get their chance in Week 15 as the Bears go to Lambeau Field. We know Rodgers loves to beat up on the Bears, especially at home. Iif this remains the case again, expect a huge game from Davante Adams and the passing game. Sure, Jones has a role here. But it may not be a big enough one to make up for what could be a lack of a run game in this one.

The championship game brings a Monday night game against the Minnesota Vikings in a revenge game for Minnesota who lost a hard-fought game earlier this season. This one could determine the division winner. The Vikings have allowed an average of 94 rush yards per game, a figure which ranks sixth in the league. Meanwhile, their pass defense which ranks 20th has been subpar in comparison. Green Bay will look to exploit this weakness as they target Xavier Rhodes and company in the secondary.

As with Ezekiel Elliott, Jones is too good to sit. At this point, he is a must-start for his touchdown potential alone. But in these games, he is not a top-10 lock as in most weeks. As the playoffs go on, his games will get harder as will yours. Keep him in your lineup but make sure to bolster the rest of your lineup and hope for the best.

More Week 13 Lineup Prep




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

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Christian Moore

Placed on Injured List With Thumb Sprain
Luis L. Ortiz

the Subject of Gambling Investigation
Jordan Lawlar

to Miss Multiple Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Receives Encouraging News on his Hand
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dane Belton

Should Have a Role in 2025
Kaiir Elam

Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF