Week 15 Running Back Start/Sit: Ezekiel Elliott, Tyler Allgeier, James Cook, Kenneth Walker and More

Start 

Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots

Zeke came out last week in his first game as the lead back in New England with Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined and was the best fantasy running back of the week. He carried the ball 22 times for 68 yards and caught seven of his eight targets for 72 yards and a TD. We featured him in our start/sit article last week and predicted he would see more than 20 carries and more than five targets. There is no reason to believe that same volume won't be there again this week. The matchup against Kansas City, which is a middle-of-the-pack matchup, doesn't even matter because it's all about volume here. Zeke is the only weapon they have left and they are going to ride him until the wheels fall off.  

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Warren has an excellent matchup this week against the Indianapolis Colts who have struggled against pass-catching running backs and are allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs on the season. Only three teams have given up more receiving yards to running backs this season. We already see plenty of Warren in this offense now that he is more of co-RB1 than backup and this matchup bodes particularly well for him. It's been dicey starting any of your Steelers, especially since Kenny Pickett went down, but we are willing to plug in Warren this week. 

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

This matchup is good enough that we are going to start both the Falcons' running backs this week. The Carolina Panthers have been horrible against fantasy running backs and are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. Allgeier is still right up there in carries with Bijan Robinson and we've seen enough to believe that's not going to change this season. Last week, Bijan saw 10 carries and Allgeier saw nine. Allgeier also outgained Robinson on the ground 40 to 34. While Robinson is by far the more valuable fantasy option, we still don't mind Allgeier as a solid flex option this week. 

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

Alexander Mattison appears to be in legitimate danger of sitting out for Week 15. Currently, he looks to be on the wrong side of questionable. That opens the door for Chandler to finally get the starter reps that we have all wanted to see. The Bengals are an average matchup, but this is more about the potential volume that Chandler could see if Mattison isn't able to give it a go. If you are a Chandler believer, this will be his big opportunity. His upside may be a bit capped due to poor quarterback play, however, there could be a lot of volume. There is no secondary back to split carries with like Mattison has to do with Chandler. 

Sit

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

Cook has been playing well, but the Cowboys are a brutal matchup for him. They are allowing the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season and take away Cook's greatest fantasy asset, his pass-catching. Only two teams have allowed fewer passing yards or passing receptions to running backs this season. They've also only allowed one receiving TD to the position and they don't give up many big plays to backs at all. For a guy who doesn't play in the red zone or score TDs very often, this is as bad of a matchup as he can get. 

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Starting a Panthers' running back isn't ideal to begin with, but this week it's terrible. They go up against the Falcons, who are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. This offense already caps his upside because they don't score points, so you definitely can't start him in this kind of matchup. Keep him far away from your lineup this week if you plan to advance in your fantasy playoffs. 
 

Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

This is a disaster for fantasy owners heading into the playoffs. Both Walker and Charbonnet are kind of banged up, but active, and with Walker returning last week they shared work almost 50/50. Add to that that this week the Seahawks play the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this week and this is the worst-case scenario. It's hard to imagine a scenario where you would want to start either guy this week. Surely, one of them helped you immensely at some point in the regular season, whether it be Walker early in the year or Charbonnet down the stretch. Nevertheless, it's time to move on from this duo.