Running Back
Besides securing yourself handcuffs to the elite running backs, fantasy owners need to tune in to take advantage of the best matchups. Here is a look at three running backs that provide steady floors and ceilings that should propel your fantasy team into the next rounds of your fantasy football playoffs.
Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos
Weeks 14-16: Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions
Top Players in 20+ Yard Rushing Plays – 2019
Lamar Jackson – 9
Carlos Hyde – 8
Nick Chubb – 8
Josh Jacobs – 8
Dalvin Cook – 7
Marlon Mack – 7
Chris Carson – 7
Phillip Lindsay – 6
Leonard Fournette – 6
Christian McCaffrey – 6
Kyler Murray – 6
Devin Singletary – 6— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 3, 2019
Lindsay has the best fantasy football playoff schedule for any running back. In Week 14, he faces the Texans who have allowed six touchdown passes to running back, the second-most in the NFL this season. Lindsay then faces the third-worst (Chiefs) and the second-worst (Lions) in the fantasy semi-finals and championship contests.
He averages 15.3 carries and 2.7 targets per game since the Week 10 bye, leaving Royce Freeman out of the time-share mode that hurt his fantasy potential earlier this season.
Look for Lindsay to be on plenty of fantasy championship rosters this season.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Weeks 14-16: Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals
Highest YPC among RBs with 90+ carries since the start of 2018:
1. Raheem Mostert 6.3
2. Devin Singletary 5.6
3. Jordan Wilkins 5.6
4. Rashaad Penny 5.3
5. Matt Breida 5.2
6. Gus Edwards 5.2
7. Duke Johnson 5.1
8. Phillip Lindsay 5.1
9. Nick Chubb 5.0
10. Christian McCaffrey 5.0— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) December 2, 2019
There is zero uncertainty that Penny has a role in the Seahawks offense moving forward. Penny has back to back games with over 100 yards and a score in each of those matchups. He has compiled 236 total yards on 33 touches and is no longer just a handcuff to Chris Carson, but a running back that deserves flex consideration during your fantasy playoffs.
In Weeks 15 and 16, Penny will continue to excel with matchups against the Panthers and Cardinals, who rank in the bottom ten in most rushing yards allowed.
Patrick Laird, RB, Miami Dolphins
Weeks 14-16: New York Jets, New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals
The Miami Dolphins placed running back Kalen Ballage on the injured reserve, creating the opportunity for Patrick Laird to take over as the lead back for the Dolphins. Laird has displayed an excellent ability to catch the ball, catching 12 passes on 14 targets in his four games this season.
The rookie running back takes a hit with the Dolphins run game being dreadful, but he is a fantasy asset in PPR formats. The Dolphins offense will always be in a negative game script with a defense that has given up the most points in the league, giving Laird a steady PPR floor and a back that fantasy owners can start as their flex.
With matchups against two of the worst fantasy defenses versus running backs in the Giants and the Bengals in Weeks 15 and 16, fantasy managers need to insert Laird in their playoff lineups.