Week 12 Start ‘Em: Running Backs
Bye: None
Beginning of the week
Todd Garley vs. Raiders (13:00 ET, FOX): Garley put on a stench last week when he came across a Saints run defense razor. This week’s game is much better, as the Falcons host the Raiders. Their defense struggles to stop running, allowing a total of 14 touchdowns and the fifth most points for opposing running backs. Moreover, five defenders have scored at least 18 fantastic points and three others have scored more than 15 points. Garley must publish the top 15 numbers.
Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit’ Em
Be sure of see mine Ranking for week 1
MORE: Week 12 ranking, articles, reports and tool center
Run ‘Em
Antonio Gibson at Cowboys (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX): Gibson has become a solid number 2 in the fantasy runner in recent weeks, scoring 17 plus points in three of his last four games. He also saw a 30% touch share and 15 red areas appear at the time. The rookie has to stay in fantastic Thanksgiving squads while the football team travels to Dallas. The Cowboys have allowed five runners, a list that includes Gibson, to earn over 18 fantastic points against them this season.
Gus Edwards at Steelers (Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the Ravens this week and kicked both JK Dobbins and Mark Ingram out of the game this week in Pittsburgh. This leaves Edwards to lead back with a probably high touch rate in this battle of North Africa. The last time he faced the Steelers, the Gus bus rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown. So while the match is not great on paper, the steel curtain is not impenetrable in 2020.
Wayne Galman v Bengals (1:00 PM ET, FOX): Gallman has been quietly solid on the charts, scoring at least one touchdown and 13 plus fantastic points in each of his last four games. During this time, he has compiled an average of 15.5 touches and nearly 30 percent touches. Gallman should be seen as an attractive flex option this week in a match against the Bengalis. Their defense has allowed 14 plus points for the starters eight times this season, so Gallman is a good option.
Salvon Ahmed at the Jets (13:00 ET, CBS): Ahmed took the lead in Miami, averaging 15.3 touches per game with a 35% touch of week 9. While the Dolphins look straight to do without a Jets win, he’s on flexible radar this week. Their defense fights against running backs, allowing an average of nearly 140 skinny yards and the seventh most fantastic points of play. Unless Miles Gaskin returns, Ahmed must be in most of the fantastic lineups.
Still running
- Kenyan Drake at the Patriots (13:00 ET, FOX)
- Kalen Balaj in Bills (13:00 ET, CBS)
- Giovanni Bernard vs. Giants (13:00 ET, FOX)
DFS transactions
- Salvon Ahmed at the Jets (DraftKings: $ 5,100)
- Wayne Galman to Bengals (DraftKings: $ 5000)
- James White vs. Cardinals (DraftKings: $ 4,500)
Week 12 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Sit of the Week
Melvin Gordon vs. Saints (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Gordon came out last week after posting 84 quick yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Dolphins. So while he is difficult to sit on, I would soften my expectations against the saints. Their defense is difficult for running backs, allowing the second least fantastic points to the position. Also, keep in mind that Gordon and Philip Lindsey share clicks and touches almost in the middle against Miami, so the actual load presented is unlikely.
Sit down
Jeric McKinnon at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): I’m not entirely sure who will be No. 1 running for the Ninners this week, but whoever it is will have a tough task against DL Aaron Donald and the Rams. Their defense is difficult to run backs, allowing only five touchdowns and the third least fantastic points to the position. This is bad news for the San Francisco ground attack. At best, McKinnon would be an option for flexible remuneration unless Rahim Mostert returns.
Darrell Henderson vs. 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Henderson’s role at the back of the Rams has shrunk in recent weeks, as he has averaged only nine touches in the last two games. This is due to the move to more than three-headed monster from the back fields, as Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers get more opportunities. The Niners have also been serious about enemy defenders this season, allowing only eight touchdowns and nine least fantastic points to the position.
Duke Johnson at the Lions (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS): Johnson has volume and a positive game on his side this week as the Lions have struggled to stop defenders all season. I would soften my expectations, however. While Johnson has seen a 35% share of touch since week 9, he has averaged less than 10 fantastic points in that time. This is due to the poor performance of the offensive line and the loss of part of Deschaun Watson’s goal line. At best, Johnson should be seen as a risky starter.
Damien Harris vs. Cardinals (13:00 ET, CBS): Harris has seen a decent touch (29.1 percent) for the Patriots in his last four games and he has averaged nearly 12 fantastic points during that time. So while it’s worth a flexible start, keep in mind that it may start to lose a few of those touches from Sony Michel. Harris is also doing nothing in the passing game, so James White could be the better fantasy option against a powerful cardinal foul this weekend.
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He is still sitting
- Carlos Hyde vs. Orly (MNF 8:15 PM ET, ESPN)
- Jordan Wilkins vs. Titans (13:00 ET, CBS)
- Devin Singletary vs. Chargers (13:00 ET, CBS)
DFS is fading
- Ronald Jones II vs. Bosses (DraftKings: $ 6,100)
- Damien Harris vs. Cardinals (DraftKings: $ 5,800)
- Melvin Gordon vs. Saints (DraftKings: $ 5,200)
Michael Fabiano is an award winner for Sports Illustrated fantasy football analyst and a member of the Hall of Fame of the Association of Fantastic Sports Writers (FSWA). You can follow Michael further Twitter,, Facebook,, YouTube, and Instagram for all the latest fantastic football news and the best analysis in business!
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