The NFL regular season is briskly advancing as Week 14 is already upon us. Prior to looking ahead, there were quite a few surprising running backs who positioned themselves as top performers in fantasy football in Week 13.
The top three scorers at the running back position in Week 13 all share touches on their respective teams. At the very top, James White put together a massive performance as he finished with 37.7 fantasy points for the New England Patriots.
Right below him, Derrius Guice rumbled his way to an impressive 27.7 points versus the Carolina Panthers. Last but not least, Rashaad Penny made the most of his opportunities for the second straight week as he totaled 26.7 points against the Minnesota Vikings.
Who are the running backs that are poised to have success this week? All of the picks in this article are based on PPR (points per reception) scoring and can be used in season-long or DFS (daily fantasy sports) leagues.
With that in mind, here are the running backs to start and sit in your fantasy football lineups in Week 14.
RBs to Start in Week 14
Patriots' James White (vs. Chiefs): The Patriots have had plenty of struggles moving the ball on offense but they may have found a solution in Week 13 by using White more. New England's dual-threat back finished with a season-high 37.7 points on Sunday. He has also scored double-digit points in nine of the 11 games he's played in this year.
In addition, White will get a chance to produce when he faces the Kansas City Chiefs defense in Week 14. Kansas City's defense has given up 30.4 points per game (most in the NFL) and five receiving touchdowns to RBs (fourth-most in the NFL).
Falcons' Devonta Freeman (vs. Panthers): The trend at running back for the majority of the season has been to play running backs against the Panthers. That trend worked marvelously on Sunday as Guice gashed Carolina for 129 yards and two scores.
The next running back who will get an opportunity to play against the Panthers' putrid run defense is Devonta Freeman. Carolina's run defense has allowed 1,419 rushing yards (third-most in the NFL) and 19 rushing touchdowns (most in the NFL).
Browns' Kareem Hunt (vs. Bengals): Many people were wondering what Kareem Hunt's role would be once he joined the Cleveland Browns. It turns out that it's a decent-sized role as he's now scored 11 or more points in four straight weeks.
Fortunately, the dynamic running back will get a chance to extend his streak of fantasy relevance against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati's defense has given up 26.6 points per game to RBs (seventh-most in the NFL).
Other RBs to Start: Redskins' Derrius Guice (vs. Packers), Broncos' Phillip Lindsay (vs. Texans), Chargers' Melvin Gordon (vs. Jaguars)
RBs to Sit in Week 14
Colts' Jonathan Williams (vs. Buccaneers): Ever since Marlon Mack went down with a hand injury, Jonathan Williams has handled the starting duties for the Indianapolis Colts. That was until Sunday when he was benched in favor of Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins.
If his latest benching wasn't enough to sit him, Williams will go up against a stout Tampa Bay Buccaneers run defense. Tampa Bay's defense has held RBs to only four rushing touchdowns (tied for third-fewest in the NFL).
Any of the Chiefs' running backs (vs. Patriots): Damien Williams was unable to play for Kansas City in Week 13; allowing Darrel Williams to see more work. Sadly, Darrel suffered a hamstring injury that will likely keep him sidelined for Week 14.
Whether it be LeSean McCoy or Darwin Thompson, neither of them will have much success versus the Patriots' daunting defense. New England's defense has been able to surrender only one rushing touchdown thus far (fewest in the NFL).
49ers' Tevin Coleman (vs. Saints): Tevin Coleman was in line to have big-time performances for the San Francisco 49ers in recent weeks. Instead, he watched Raheem Mostert outscore him 41.8 to 24.7 points in the past three games.
With Matt Breida likely returning from injury this week, Coleman becomes a risky option against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints' defense has allowed only 748 rushing yards to RBs (second-fewest in the NFL).
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