SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 13: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Christian McCaffrey: It has taken him a couple of games to get his legs back under him, but he was much better in game two than he was in game one. This is a must-win game for the 49ers, and you should expect to see CMC featured often.
Saquon Barkley, Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
He has over 100 rushing yards in four of his past five games, and in the one game, he didn’t get there, it was because the Eagles were up by more than 3 TDs against the Cowboys, so they stopped using him.
Joe Mixon, Texans
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 04: Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans runs the ball during Mandatory Minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center on June 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Although the Texans have underperformed this season, Mixon has arguably overperformed. He has carried the offense, and in his past six games, he has topped 100. yards five times and has scored nine rushing TDs.
Derrick Henry, Ravens
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 05: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 5, 2024 in Kansas City, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
He has scored a TD in every game so far this season and a rushing TD in all but one game so far this season. QB Lamar Jackson gets most of the attention, but without Henry, the Ravens would be even worse than their 7-4 record.
De’Von Achane, Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 07: De’Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
He is one of the most effective RBs in the NFL. He is a great runner but also does a lot of work catching passes out of the backfield. He faces a Patriots team this weekend that ranks 20th against the run this season.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
He is one of the most explosive runners in the NFL and runs behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Couple that with the fact that he faces the 28th-ranked rush defense in the Colts this week, and Gibbs is going to have a big game.
Kyren Williams, Rams
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
The Eagles are good against the run, so Kyren may not find a lot of running room, but he is a good pass catcher, and he has a nose for the endzone. He has scored 10 TD this season and will need to have a big game for the Rams to pull off the upset over Philly.
Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 14: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball to score a 7 yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Even though the Seahawks are a pass-first team, Walker still gets plenty of carries out of the backfield, and he has been involved in the passing game, too. He will be relied upon heavily this weekend in a battle for first place in the NFC West with the Cardinals.
Josh Jacobs, Packers
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 17: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
I don’t like his matchup against the 49ers, but he is a focal point of the Packers offense, and he is involved in the passing game, too. This game is in GB, where Jacobs has averaged more than 5 yards per carry and 87 rushing yards per game.
James Conner, Cardinals
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 12: James Conner #6 celebrates with DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals after a touchdown during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Cardinals defeated the Titans 38-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Conner has been great this season for the Cardinals and is well-rested this week, coming off the bye. He faces a Seahawks defense that ranks 27th in the NFL against the run.
