Christian McCaffrey is on his way to being the Todd Gurley of 2018.
Gurley single-handily carried fantasy football team owners to a championship in 2017. McCaffrey has been on his way to duplicating that performance in recent weeks. McCaffrey has more than 600 total yards, seven touchdowns and more than 100 fantasy points in the last four games.
The next-highest total is Ezekiel Elliott with 88.
Keep McCaffrey in your starting lineup. For the rest of the questionable running backs, here’s the week 14 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em for running backs.
Start
Lamar Miller vs. Indianapolis Colts
Miller is showing why he was being disrespected in the preseason.
Many had written off Miller, who I have loved in the last two years. However, he didn’t pan out, so I failed to recognize his value this year when he was being drafted more in the Flex range. Now, he’s a true RB1, with more than 100 yards rushing in four of the last six games.
Volume has never been a problem for Miller in Houston. He’s struggled with production.
That production is coming along now and the Colts are a bottom-half defense against the run in terms of fantasy points allowed. Miller will get several opportunities to produce against the Colts, so he should easily be started in week 14.
Gus Edwards vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The volume should be there for Edwards. That should give him the opportunity to be a reliable RB2 in week 14.
The Chiefs have given up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs in the last four weeks. And Edwards has taken over lead-back duties in the Ravens backfield.
One of the issues with that role is that Edwards is not a viable option in the passing game. However, he will get 15 to 20 carries in this game, giving him the volume available to be a solid option in the first round of the playoffs.
Phillip Lindsay vs. San Francisco 49ers
I might be late to this party, but I’m finally coming around on Lindsay.
I haven’t trusted the Broncos backfield this season because of the split carries. However, Lindsay has won the timeshare and it’s now offering a major benefit for fantasy owners.
Lindsay has increased his workload from 11 to 14 to 17 carries in the last three weeks. He has 90 or more yards in four of the last six games. He was a dominant factor against Cincinnati in week 13 and that should continue into week 14, despite a tougher matchup against San Francisco.
Much like Edwards, Lindsay will get the volume necessary to be a competent running back. He’s definitely worth a look as an RB1.
Sit
Derrick Henry vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
As you can see, I’m fading the Titans this week.
The Jaguars have been the best team against the run in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs. That should spell doom for Henry, who has eclipsed more than 50 rushing yards only twice since week 5.
Henry doesn’t get enough volume with Dion Lewis sharing touches in the backfield.
With Jacksonville being stingy against opposing running games, Henry should be sidelined with a bad matchup in week 14.
Frank Gore vs. New England Patriots
Gore had a decent run earlier this year. But the veteran is having a tough time keeping up as the season comes to a close.
For players who have such little yardage, the only way to be productive in fantasy football is to score touchdowns. And that won’t happen with Gore.
Gore has produced double-digit fantasy points only once since week 6. Kenyan Drake is starting to get more touches and showing better flashes as a fantasy football option.
No matter what the matchup is, it doesn’t matter with Gore anymore. He is not a starting option in fantasy football.
Chris Carson vs. Minnesota Vikings
I know the Seahawks are one of the best rushing teams in the NFL. However, Carson is battling an injury and the Vikings are just too good against the run.
Minnesota allows the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. They’re also allowing just 3.7 yards per carry.
The Seahawks will attempt to run, but that just won’t work against Minnesota. The Seahawks will have to utilize Russell Wilson to move the ball against Minnesota. The running game will not be the primary option for the Seattle offense.
