Week 17 Fantasy Football NFC Backfield Update: Chris Rodriguez vs. Antonio Gibson vs. Brian Robinson, Khalil Herbert vs. Roschon Johnson vs. D'Onta Forman, James Conner vs. Emari Demercado and More
Discussing NFC backfield situations heading into week 17 of the NFL season.
Championship week is here for most fantasy football leagues out there. Let’s take a look at every team’s backfield situation like we have the past two weeks and help you determine the best starting options for week 17.
We’ll start with the NFC backfields. Check back later for the AFC breakdown.
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Vikings Backfield Fantasy Outlook
The Vikings were a pass-heavy team in week 16, with the running backs only getting 11 total touches.
Ty Chandler led the backfield. He played 36 snaps and rushed eight times for 17 yards and a touchdown. Alexander Mattison got only five snaps and two touches, going backward a yard on two rushes.
The backs have a more favorable matchup in week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers’ defense allows opposing backs to score 23 fantasy points per week. Chandler seems like the most likely to lead the way, but expect Mattison to get his fair share of snaps and touches too. Chandler is the only guy I’d want to consider starting, and I’d try to avoid him if I could.
Packers Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Aaron Jones dominated the Packers’ backfield in week 16, while AJ Dillon and Patrick Taylor were also involved.
Jones rushed 21 times for 127 yards and caught 1-of-3 targets for 8 yards. Dillon rushed seven times for 12 yards and a touchdown, while Taylor rushed three times for 4 yards and went backward a yard on one catch and target.
The matchup with the Vikings is a pretty average one, with the Vikes’ defense allowing 20 points to opposing backs. I expect Jones to be the workhorse again, but Dillon to get all the backup touches. With that thought in mind, I would consider starting just Jones this week, but he definitely isn’t a must start.
Bears Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Khalil Herbert led the Bears’ backfield in week 16 with D'Onta Foreman out. Roschon Johnson served as the backup.
Herbert rushed 20 times for 112 yards and a touchdown and caught 1-of-2 targets for 9 yards. Johnson had 37 rushing yards on nine carries and added 16 receiving yards on three catches and targets.
Foreman could be back this week for the team’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. That’s a tough matchup, and given the uncertainty in the backfield, I’d try to stay away from every Bears’ back.
Lions Backfield Fantasy Outlook
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs each got 19 touches in week 16.
Montgomery rushed 17 times for 55 yards and a score, while catching both of his targets for an additional 14 yards. Gibbs went for 80 rushing yards and two scores on 15 carries, while hauling in 4-of-7 targets for 20 yards.
The duo will take on the Dallas Cowboys and their tougher defense this week, but it’s a defense that’s struggled a bit of late, so I’m still good starting Gibbs and Montgomery, with Gibbs having a bit more upside for his work as a pass catcher.
Eagles Backfield Fantasy Outlook
D'Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell both had strong showings in the team’s week 16 win.
Swift is still the clear top option in that backfield and should be starting in week 17 against a very weak Arizona Cardinals’ defense. Gainwell should get some flex consideration in standard leagues, but I’d only feel confident about starting him in deeper leagues.
Cowboys Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Tony Pollard’s underwhelming season continued in week 16.
Pollard rushed 12 times for 38 yards and added a 5-yard reception. Rico Dowdle only got two touches, going for 4 yards.
The matchup with the Lions’ defense is a brutal one for RBs, so I’d bench Pollard and Dowdle in all formats.
Giants Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Saquon Barkley got all but one of the 27 RB touches for the New York Giants in week 16.
A matchup with the Los Angeles Rams is next, which is a pretty tough one for RBs. I’d still be in favor of starting Barkley because of the big workload he gets. Backup Matt Breida should be avoided in all formats.
Commanders Backfield Fantasy Outlook
With Brian Robinson out in week 16, Chris Rodriguez and Antonio Gibson each got double-digit touches for Washington.
If Robinson misses week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers, expect Rodriguez and Gibson to split the workload again. Knowing it’s likely to be a committee and seeing the 49ers as a pretty strong defense against RBs, I’d try to avoid all of Washington’s backs.
Falcons Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Bijan Robinson had a big showing for the Falcons in week 16. Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson also got a good amount of touches.
The matchup with the Bears this week is a favorable one, so I’d feel good about starting Robinson in all formats. Allgeier is a flex option in standard leagues and a starter in deeper leagues. Patterson is a starting option in deeper leagues.
Buccaneers Backfield Fantasy
Rachaad White got 26 of the 36 RB touches for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 16, with Chase Edmonds getting the rest.
White went for 77 total yards and a score, while Edmonds had 25 yards.
A week 17 clash with the New Orleans Saints is a tough one, so I’d consider White in all formats and try to avoid Edmonds.
Panthers Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Chuba Hubbard got all but four of the 21 backfield touches for the Carolina Panthers in week 16.
Hubbard went for 51 yards and a touchdown, while Miles Sanders tallied just 8 total yards.
A week 17 clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars is an average one. I’d consider Hubbard, but try to only start him in deeper leagues, while avoiding Sanders completely.
Saints Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Alvin Kamara led a weak New Orleans backfield in week 16.
Kamara went for 35 total yards on 14 touches. Jamaal Williams got just three touches, going for 13 yards.
It’s going to be hard to start Kamara in standard leagues against a tough Bucs’ defense, but I’d be in favor of it, especially in PPR leagues. I’d avoid Williams completely.
Rams Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Kyren Williams is the clear workhorse for the Rams, while Ronnie Rivers is the backup now.
A favorable matchup against the Giants awaits, so I’m definitely starting Williams. Rivers could be a sneaky good option in deep leagues.
Seahawks Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Kenneth Walker dominated the touches over Zach Charbonnet for a second straight week.
Walker had 56 total yards on 17 touches, while Charbonnet went backward 4 yards on three touches.
Seattle plays the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 17, which is a pretty average matchup. I’d consider Walker for a starting spot, and definitely be starting him in deeper leagues. I’d avoid Charbonnet in all formats.
49ers Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Christian McCaffrey is the only San Francisco 49ers back to mention.
McCaffrey went for 131 total yards and a score on 20 touches in week 16.
He faces a weak Commanders’ defense this week, and he might score enough to guide you to a fantasy title.
Cardinals Backfield Fantasy Outlook
James Conner was the No. 1 back for the Cardinals in week 16, although Emari Demercado continued to see his role increase.
I expect Demercado to keep getting more work as the season winds down, and this week against an elite Eagles’ defense, I’d try to avoid starting both guys in standard leagues. Conner can start in deeper leagues, with Demercado as a potential flex option.
