The 2020 NFL regular season will be over before too long, which means that fantasy football owners should already be gearing up for a run toward the postseason. Whether you are a fantasy football owner that has already locked up a spot in the postseason or you are a fantasy football owner still fighting for position in the standings, each week from here on out will be absolutely crucial for the rest of your season.
As injuries, COVID-19 and just the wear and tear of the season all continue to mount for players at every position, running backs are definitely fighting hard to stay healthy and on the field. Because some running backs' workloads are beginning to add up with others facing tough matchups in Week 12, it will be key for many fantasy football owners to push the right buttons at this position this time around.
While there are plenty of good decisions to be made at running back this week, there are just as many poor ones as well.
Running Backs to Start in Week 12
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans were defeated by the rival Indianapolis Colts just two weeks ago—while playing in primetime down in Nashville, no less.
With the Colts once again up next for the Titans, a team that is fresh off of an overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens, things might be a bit different in Week 12. Obviously, Titans starting running back Derrick Henry is a must-play week-in and week-out as he leads the NFL in rushing yards as it stands today.
However, the Colts held him in check for the majority of the last meeting between these two teams, mainly because of the team's stout defensive front.
This time around, though, it appears that the Colts will be without defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and Denico Autry, who are both currently serving stints on the organization's COVID-19/reserve list. If neither of these players suit up against the Titans, especially Buckner, Henry could very well run wild in Indianapolis in a game that Tennessee absolutely must have if this team has any hops of winning the AFC South division in 2020.
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again quite upset with the league's decision to move one of the team's huge AFC clashes due to a COVID-19 outbreak outside the Steel City. With the Steelers' matchup against the Titans previously encountering such a fate, Pittsburgh will no longer be playing against the arch rival Ravens on Thanksgiving evening either. With the Ravens currently dealing with a whole slew of positive tests within the organization, Baltimore and Pittsburgh will now square off on Sunday afternoon in Week 12.
Despite not being played in primetime, this game will still feature an undefeated, angry and hungry Steelers team against a faltering and less than 100 percent Ravens squad. Thanks to COVID-19 and injuries, the Ravens will be super short-handed, especially along its defensive front, which can only mean one thing—smash mouth football from the Steelers. Expect tons of running back James Conner on Sunday afternoon, soaking up fantasy football points, as the Steelers will surely be looking to pound the Ravens en route to vengeance.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are not a very good football team—simply put. However, neither are the Washington Football Team as these two lowly NFC East teams will square off on Thanksgiving with a possible division title still somehow on the line for each franchise. As is tradition, the Cowboys will be looking to shine on Turkey Day, which may just be the boost that this team needs especially after upsetting the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11.
With the Cowboys looking to string together back-to-back victories with the team's season on the line and a shot at the playoffs still very much on the table, an unimpressive Washington team could be the best remedy for Dallas and specifically veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott. If the Cowboys are going to ultimately win the division and reach the postseason in 2020, it is going to have to be Elliott that puts the team on his back in the absence of injured quarterback Dak Prescott. Thanksgiving could very well be Zeke's time to shine and thrive in the spotlight as Dallas could use a big performance out of him in Week 12.
Running Backs to Sit in Week 12
Even though the Detroit Lions are not a particularly impressive defensive team, the Houston Texans are severely hindered on the offensive side of the ball heading into Week 12. Thankfully for Houston, franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson is still at the helm under center, though the Texans signal-caller will be without starting running back David Johnson and wide receiver Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb against the Lions. With wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller V slated to encounter a heavy workload as Watson will no doubt need to win the game for the Texans, backup running back turned starter Duke Johnson may not receive a ton of work out of the backfield.
Producing very little in absence of the aforementioned David Johnson, there are much better options out there on a short week for the Texans. Most effective as a third down back, Duke Johnson just can't seem to handle being a true No. 1 running back for the Texans as it stands today, frustrating fantasy football owners too.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are not only banged up on defense but the reeling AFC North franchise is currently ravaged by COVID-19 in the offensive backfield. With a vicious Steelers defense next up on the schedule for the Ravens, who will be without running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram II on Sunday, it will be reserve running back Gus Edwards that ultimately receives the majority of the workload out of the backfield in Week 12.
It is hard to argue against the fact that the Steelers have the most well-rounded and talented defense in the entire NFL right now while backup running backs and a short-handed offensive line do not sound like a recipe for success for Baltimore.
With the Steelers angry and looking to stay undefeated, the Ravens are unlikely to encounter an unprepared Pittsburgh defense as staying away from pretty much every Baltimore player would probably be best for fantasy football owners in Week 12. Due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Baltimore at the moment, the Ravens may find themselves in the midst of what will become an ugly season-defining loss before too long.
Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons will be taking on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12 while this battle could turn into a shootout in a hurry. With veteran quarterback Matt Ryan under center for the Falcons and surging signal-caller Derek Carr ready to let it rip for the Raiders, there might not be much room for running backs in this one.
As Ryan has a ton of options in the passing game and starting running back Todd Gurley typically finding himself on the sideline for passing downs, don't expect the former Los Angeles Rams standout to put up any gaudy fantasy numbers this time around. On the other hand, the Raiders run defense isn't too shabby while Las Vegas allowed Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to throw the football literally wherever he wanted in Week 11 as the Falcons surely took notice. With the Raiders serving as an under the radar and very dangerous team in the AFC, this is a must-win for Las Vegas as this team should absolutely come to play in Week 12 to rebound from last week's last-second loss to the Chiefs.
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