NFL Fantasy 2024 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 12

Hunt has been a beast. He has averaged 16 fantasy points per game in his last six contests. Pacheco is expected to return from injury in Week 12, though -- Andy Reid is classifying him as day-to-day -- and I believe we’ll see a split in usage, at least in Pacheco’s first game back. He’ll likely get more of the backfield touches as he progresses. The matchup is good enough this week to play both Chiefs RBs. The Panthers have allowed the second-most rushing yards, the most rushing touchdowns and most FPPG to RBs. In a game where the Chiefs could have a lead and control the clock with the run game, both are in play as RB2s with upside. 

UPDATE: Pacheco will not play Sunday, Andy Reid said Friday.

In their last game, a Week 10 loss to the 49ers, both Bucs finished among the top seven fantasy RBs. White has six or more targets in three of his last four games, with at least one touchdown in each of those contests. He has averaged 19.1 FPPG in that stretch. Meanwhile, Irving has topped 75 yards in four of his last five games, with a touchdown in three of those contests, and has averaged 14.9 FPPG in that stretch. The week off also allowed Irving the chance to get healthier. This week, both running backs are in play against the Giants, who have allowed the most rushing yards and 5.4 yards per carry to backs since Week 6. They’ve allowed explosive runs at the second-highest rate and are in the top 10 in receiving yards allowed to RBs this season. Start the Bucs backs. 

I had both Commanders backs as starts last week, and they came through in a tough matchup against the Eagles. They split snaps down the middle with the bulk of carries and goal-line work going to Robinson and Ekeler leading in targets, catches and receiving yards. Both have been very reliable fantasy options and remain in play this week against the Cowboys, who have allowed the fourth-most FPPG to RBs. They have also allowed 5.0 yards per carry and the second-most rushing touchdowns to RBs since Week 7. Joe Mixon ran all over them on Monday night, and there’s a good chance the Commanders duo does the same this week. 

Over his last six games, Tracy has averaged 15.8 carries, 86 rushing yards and 2.8 targets per game. He has had 20 or more touches in four contests and cleared 14 fantasy points four times, registering 22-plus twice. That is a safe floor and high ceiling. With quarterback Tommy DeVito getting the start on Sunday, Tracy could get more targets. DeVito threw 20 percent of his passes to the backfield last season, compared to Daniel Jones’ 15 percent to RBs this year. Tracy is in play against the Bucs, who have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards, third-most receiving TDs and fifth-most FPPG to RBs this season. 

Dowdle didn’t have a big performance Monday night, but 10 carries and five targets is solid volume. He has five or more targets in three of his last four games and has been utilized more in the ground game of late. This is about the matchup though, as the Commanders have allowed the most rushing yards this season. They have allowed the third-most rushing touchdowns and give up explosive runs at the highest rate in the NFL. Even in this version of the Cowboys offense, Dowdle brings upside. With six teams on bye, he is in play. 

Hubbard has been awesome, topping double-digit fantasy points in all but one game since Week 2. He has surpassed 20 fantasy points four times. This week, he faces the toughest matchup on paper and Brooks is expected to make his NFL debut. The Chiefs have allowed the fewest rushing yards and FPPG to RBs this season, holding Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, J.K. Dobbins, Alvin Kamara, Jordan Mason, James Cook and both Bucs RBs (among others) to less than 50 rushing yards. You can get away from Hubbard this week if you have other options -- which also means sitting Brooks.

Even in a fantastic matchup last week, Chubb failed to do much fantasy-wise. It was his most efficient game as a runner, but he finished with just five fantasy points on 11 touches. Chubb has averaged 6.3 FPPG -- needing a TD to break the six-point threshold. He is averaging 3.1 yards per carry, 1 yard per target and 3.1 yards per touch. To put that into perspective, he has averaged over 5 yards per carry, target and touch in his career up until this point. The efficiency just is not there. He’ll face the physical Steelers, who have allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards to RBs this season. Even more concerning, it is on a short week. There's no way I trust Chubb this week. 

Sean Payton must hate fantasy football. That has to be the explanation for giving the bulk of touches to Estimé one week and pivoting right back to Williams the next. Estimé has yet to reach six fantasy points in a game this season, and he is more hope/potential right now than a startable fantasy asset. Williams has had a couple of big games, but he’s been very up and down. The floor is too low to trust. If you have to play Williams this week due to byes, I get it. But I want to wash my hands of this backfield. 

I was tempted to write up J.K. Dobbins as a sit, but given all the byes, it felt like that wouldn’t be a realistic option for fantasy managers. Warren has gotten more work of late, leading to better fantasy results, but he has still been more of a floor option. This week, he’ll face a Browns defense that has allowed the third-fewest rushing yards to RBs since Week 7. They have also allowed the second-fewest catches and receiving yards to the position. On a short week, stream elsewhere.

Mattison and White are dealing with injuries. If both are ruled out this week, that would leave Abdullah in play as a bye week replacement option. If they do suit up, I would avoid all of these RBs. Abdullah sees involvement in the passing game but tends to rotate in an offense that struggles to move the ball, let alone score points. Denver has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards since Week 7. Stream elsewhere.