Honorable mention Starts: Saquon Barkley (PHI), Bijan Robinson (ATL), Chuba Hubbard (CAR)
Honorable mention Sits: Isiah Pacheco (KC), Tank Bigsby (JAX), D’Andre Swift (CHI)
Start: Jonathon Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathon Taylor saved my fantasy life last week, and we’re all going to lean on him again this week in a must-start matchup against the New York Giants. Big Blue’s defense has struggled against the run this season, allowing one of the highest yards-per-carry averages in the league. On the other hand, Taylor has been heating up, showing the elite form that made him a fantasy superstar. With Indianapolis likely leaning on their ground game to control the pace, Taylor should see plenty of volume, especially near the goal line. His combination of power and burst makes him a prime candidate for a multi-touchdown performance against a soft front seven. Start Taylor with confidence as an RB1 this week—he’s set to feast.
Start: Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Panthers’ defense has been one of the most generous units to opposing RBs this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed. Irving’s explosiveness makes him a strong candidate for a nice week here. BONUS – Irving’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield gives him additional value as well. The Panthers’ linebackers have struggled to contain running backs in the passing game, which could lead to additional opportunities for him. If the Bucs establish an early lead, Irving could see increased volume as they look to control the clock, maximizing his touches. Unless there’s a significantly better matchup elsewhere on your roster, Irving looks like a solid start this week.
Sit: Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Man, what a ride. And in all honesty, many of us owe Rico a thank you for carrying us into our fantasy playoffs. The touchdowns weren’t there, but man, the rushing yards sure were. Dowdle was a stud from Weeks 12-15 but ran into a brick wall Sunday night against the suddenly stout Tampa Bay rush defense. This week, Dowdle gets the Eagles, and I don’t like this matchup for many of the same reasons. Only five rushing touchdowns allowed all season by Philly, and zero 100-yard rushers since Week 4, leading to this unit producing 5.4 points better than league average PVO. And with the Ship on the line for most of us, I just don’t think we can rely on Rico this week.
Sit: Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
If you’re considering starting Najee Harris this week, you might want to temper expectations and explore other options. The Chiefs’ run defense has been solid this season, ranking among the best units in the league in limiting running back production. They’ve excelled at controlling the line of scrimmage and forcing teams to pass. If the Steelers fall behind early, Harris may see limited opportunities to establish the run and could lose snaps to Jaylen Warren in passing situations. Warren’s role in the offense has grown, with the Steelers utilizing him more recently in key situations. This obviously cuts into Harris’s workload and limits his fantasy upside, especially in PPR formats. Unless you’re thin at running back or in a desperate spot, Harris is better left on the bench this week.
