Week 16 Fantasy Football NFC Backfield Update: James Conner vs. Emari Demercado, Bijan Robinson vs. Tyler Allgeier, Roschon Johnson vs. D’Onta Foreman vs. Khalil Herbert and More

The fantasy football playoffs are in full swing now. Week 15 of the NFL season provided some clarity on some backfields, so let’s discuss each team’s backfield just like we did a week ago.

Let’s take a look at the NFC. We addressed the AFC backfields earlier this week.

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Falcons Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Let’s kick things off with what should be an easy situation, but is instead a complicated one because of Arthur Smith. Uber-talented rookie Bijan Robinson continues to split work with Tyler Allgeier and Cordarelle Patterson.

Robinson only had eight touches in week 15, rushing seven times for 11 yards and added a 3-yard reception on three targets. Allgeier led the backfield with 15 touches, rushing 14 times for 45 yards and catching a 6-yard pass. Patterson was the top fantasy player after catching a touchdown pass - he finished with 0 total yards on six touches.

The Falcons have the Indianapolis Colts in week 16, which is a great matchup for the Atlanta backs. I’d still roll with Robinson in all formats this week, while giving Allgeier consideration for a flex starting spot. Allgeier is a great starting option in deeper leagues, and I’d try to lean away from Patterson.

Buccaneers Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Rachaad White went off in week 15 and has a firm grip on the workhorse role in the backfield.

White rushed 21 times for 89 yards and caught both of his targets for 50 yards and a score. Chase Edmonds got three touches across 12 snaps and gained 13 yards.

The Bucs play the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 16, which is a tougher matchup. Given his workhorse role, I’m still in favor of starting White in all formats - Edmonds is not start worthy, even in deeper leagues.

Panthers Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Chuba Hubbard dominated the backfield touches over Miles Sanders in week 15. 

Hubbard finished with 24 touches, rushing 22 times for 87 yards and catching both of his targets for an additional 16 yards. Sanders had eight touches, rushing six times for 2 yards and adding 11 yards on two receptions and targets.

The Panthers play the Green Bay Packers this week, who just got shredded by the Bucs - it’s a favorable matchup. Seeing that, I like Hubbard as a starter in all formats, and would consider Sanders as a starting option in deeper leagues.

Saints Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Alvin Kamara continues to dominate the Saints’ backfield, but Jamaal Williams remained involved in week 15.

Kamara tallied 16 carries for 66 yards and added 44 yards on five catches and targets. Williams had eight rushes for 24 yards and caught a 2-yard pass. Williams only played three less snaps.

The Saints have the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, which is a tougher matchup. I still like Kamara as a starter in all formats, especially PPR leagues. Williams is an option in deeper leagues, but I’d try to avoid him.

Rams Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Kyren Williams continues to dominate the Rams’ backfield. Royce Freeman was sparsely used last week.

Williams rushed 27 times for 152 yards and a score and caught 5-of-7 targets, but for only 3 yards. Freeman rushed six times for 16 yards. Ronnie Rivers could return this week, which might cloud the backup situation a bit - Williams is in no danger of losing snaps or touches.

The Rams’ clash with the Saints is also a tough one. I still like Williams in all formats as the workhorse back. I’d avoid Freeman and Rivers in all formats.

Seahawks Backfield Fantasy Outlook

The backfield committee in Seattle appears to be a thing of the past after Kenneth Walker dominated Zach Charbonnet across the board in week 15.

Walker rushed 19 times for 86 yards and a score and caught all three of his targets for 26 yards. Charbonnet had 16 yards on four touches.

The Seahawks have the Tennessee Titans in week 16, which is a pretty average matchup for RBs. I’d lean toward starting Walker in all formats and consider Charbonnet in deeper leagues, but try to avoid him.

49ers Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Christian McCaffrey had another monster game in week 15 and is trending toward finishing as the top fantasy player this season.

McCaffrey rushed 18 times for 115 yards and a score while catching all five of his targets for 72 yards and two more touchdowns. Jordan Mason got five touches and went for 20 yards.

McCaffrey is a must start every week, and should be started confidently even against a tough Baltimore Ravens defense. 

Cardinals Backfield Fantasy Outlook

James Conner remains the lead back for the Cardinals, but Emari Demercado might be more involved going forward after a solid outing last week.

Conner rushed 14 times for 86 yards and a score, while adding 3 yards on three catches and targets. Demercado turned five touches into 70 total yards and a touchdown. Michael Carter went for 37 yards on six touches.

The Arizona backs have a favorable matchup ahead against the Chicago Bears. I’d start Conner in all formats and then consider Demercado and Carter in deeper leagues - I’d like to see another week of production before starting either, but like Demercado between the two.

Eagles Backfield Fantasy Outlook

D’Andre Swift dominated the touches in the Eagles’ backfield in week 15.

Swift rushed 18 times for 74 yards and caught 2-of-3 passes for 1 yard. Kenneth Gainwell had 21 yards on six touches. 

Swift’s ceiling is capped from Jalen Hurts stealing all the short rushing TDs, but I’d still like starting Swift against the New York Giants this week as it's a solid matchup. I’d avoid Gainwell in all formats.

Cowboys Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Tony Pollard led the Cowboys’ backfield in week 15, but like the rest of the team, was held in check.

Pollard finished with 57 total yards on 13 touches. Rico Dowdle only had 12 total yards on five carries - he only remains a fantasy asset when the Cowboys are dominating opponents.

The Cowboys play the Miami Dolphins this week, which is a below-average matchup on paper. Pollard is a borderline starter in standard leagues, but I’d lean against starting him. I’d avoid Dowdle in all formats.

Giants Backfield Fantasy Outlook

The Giants’ backfield, led by Saquon Barkley, was bogged down in week 15.

Barkley had 47 total yards on 11 touches. Matt Breida had 21 total yards on five touches, while Eric Gray made three catches on four targets for 6 yards. 

The matchup this week against the Eagles is a very tough one. I don’t think New York will keep this one close, so I’d try to avoid playing Barkley - he might bail owners out with a touchdown. Breida and Gray should be avoided in all formats.

Commanders Backfield Fantasy Outlook

With Brian Robinson out, Chris Rodriguez led Washington’s backfield in week 15, with Antonio Gibson pretty much splitting the workload.

Rodriguez had 35 yards on 10 touches, while Gibson went for 35 yards on nine touches.

Robinson didn’t practice Wednesday, so his status will be one to watch if the week progresses. It’s a messy situation, and I’d try to avoid any Washington backs in standard leagues, even with a favorable matchup against the New York Jets ahead. Robinson and Gibson are my favorite starting options in deeper leagues, with Rodriguez in the mix if Robinson is out again.

Vikings Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Ty Chandler dominated the Vikings’ backfield in week 15 with Alexander Mattison out, and could be in line to do so again this week with Mattison still dealing with an injury.

Chandler rushed 23 times for 132 yards and a score, while catching 3-of-4 targets for 25 yards last week.

The matchup with the Detroit Lions this week is a brutal one, but I’d still lean toward starting Chandler if Mattison is out again. If Mattison plays, then I’d avoid both guys in standard leagues and only consider them in deeper leagues.

Packers Backfield Fantasy Outlook

Aaron Jones regained his lead back role in Green Bay’s offense in week 15, although it helped that AJ Dillon was out.

Jones tallied 69 total yards on 17 touches last week. 

The team’s matchup with the Panthers is a favorable one for RBs. I’d lean toward starting Jones, especially if Dillon is out. I’d lean against starting Jones if Dillon ends up playing - both backs would be starting options in deeper leagues.

Bears Backfield Fantasy Outlook

The Bears’ backfield is an absolute mess after week 15, when Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman split the workload.

Johnson went for 60 total yards on nine touches, Herbert had 12 total yards on seven touches and Foreman went backwards 6 yards on six touches. 

It’s unfortunate this is such a messy backfield, because the week 16 matchup against the Cardinals is super favorable. With so much uncertainty on who the lead back is, I’d try to avoid them all in standard leagues, but they all make decent starting options in deeper leagues.

Lions Backfield Fantasy Outlook

The Detroit backfield continues to be split pretty evenly between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

Montgomery went for 82 total yards on 19 touches in week 15, while Gibbs had 108 total yards and two scores on 13 touches.

The matchup with the Vikings in week 16 is a bit of a tougher one, but I still like the idea of starting both guys in all formats.