Week 17 Fantasy Football AFC Backfield Update: Raheem Mostert vs. De'Von Achane, Justice Hill vs. Gus Edwards, Jerome Ford vs. Kareem Hunt and More
Discussing AFC 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.
It’s time for the AFC write up after looking at NFC backfields earlier.
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Broncos Backfield Fantasy Outlook
The Denver Broncos’ backfield continued to be a pretty split one in week 16, with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine all factoring in.
Those three should be heavily involved this week as the team has turned to quarterback Jarrett Stidham instead of Russell Wilson. It’s a favorable matchup for the backs against the Los Angeles Chargers. I’d lean toward starting Williams, but need to see your other options before making a final decision. I’d consider Perine and McLaughlin as flex options, but only feel confident starting them in deeper leagues.
Chiefs Backfield Fantasy Outlook
The Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield is a mess with Isiah Pacheco battling a concussion and Jerick McKinnon now on injured reserve. Clyde Edwards-Helaire might be the workhorse back if Pacheco can’t go in week 17.
CEH had 48 yards on seven touches in week 16. Pacheco was at 26 yards and a score on 15 touches before leaving.
It’s an average matchup for whoever suits up, as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense allows 21 fantasy points to opposing RBs per game. I like the idea of starting CEH if Pacheco is out, but would prefer to sit both guys if they are each active, as I think it would be more of a committee.
Raiders Backfield Fantasy Outlook
The Las Vegas Raiders’ backfield is also in question with Josh Jacobs still working his way back from injury. Zamir White established himself as the lead back last week.
White had 145 yards on 22 touches. The other backs combined for three touches and 12 yards.
There’s a favorable matchup ahead against the Indianapolis Colts, so I’d start White if Jacobs is out again. If Jacobs plays, then there might be more of a committee, but I’d still lean toward starting Jacobs in all formats, and then considering White as a flex in standard leagues and a starter in deeper leagues.
Chargers Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Austin Ekeler dominated the touches for the Los Angeles Chargers in week 16.
Ekeler had 86 total yards on 18 touches. Isaiah Spiller only gained 5 yards on three touches, while Joshua Kelley went backward 2 yards on his lone touch.
Ekeler should be starting in week 17 in a very favorable matchup against the Broncos. I’d consider Spiller and Kelley as sleeper options in deeper formats, but try to stay away from them.
Texans Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Devin Singletary led the Houston Texans’ backfield in week 16, while Dameon Pierce got a little backup work.
Singletary had 63 total yards on 12 touches, while Pierce went for 16 yards on four touches.
The Texans face the Tennessee Titans in week 17, which is a pretty average matchup for RBs. I would consider Singletary in all formats, but only feel really confident about him in deeper leagues. I’d avoid Pierce in all formats.
Titans Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears continue to produce in the Titans’ backfield.
Henry gained 99 total yards on 20 touches and was part of two touchdowns (including a passing score) in week 16. Spears had 67 total yards on 14 touches.
It’s a bit below-average matchup for the Tennessee duo, but they each get enough work and big plays to consider in standard leagues. I’d lean toward starting Henry, while liking Spears as a starter more in deeper leagues.
Colts Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Jonathan Taylor returned last week and dominated the backfield for the Colts.
Taylor went for 43 yards and a score on 18 touches. Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson had just two touches each, and the backup touches would likely go back to Zack Moss if he’s healthy this week.
The matchup with the Raiders in week 17 is a bit better than average for the Colts’ backs. I like the idea of starting Taylor this week, and would try to avoid any other backs in all formats.
Jaguars Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Travis Etienne continued to struggle in the Jacksonville Jaguars week 16 matchup.
Etienne had just 31 yards on nine touches. D'Ernest Johnson got the only other RB touch.
Etienne will look to get back on track against a Carolina Panthers’ defense that struggles in slowing opposing backs. I’d lean toward starting Etienne in all formats, and stay away from the other Jacksonville options.
Patriots Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Ezekiel Elliott dominated the touches again for the New England Patriots in week 16, with Kevin Harris helping out a bit.
Elliott went for 60 yards and a score on 21 touches, while Harris had 21 yards on seven touches.
Elliott would lead the team in week 17 if Rhamondre Stevenson remains out with his injury. Otherwise, I’d envision a committee between those two guys. The Buffalo Bills are an average matchup, so I’d lean toward starting Elliott if Stevenson is out again, and try to only start Elliott and Stevenson in deeper leagues if they are both on the field.
Jets Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Breece Hall went off in week 16, with Israel Abanikanda getting a little work too.
Hall had 191 total yards and two scores on 32 touches. Abanikanda went for 43 yards on nine touches.
The matchup with the Cleveland Browns this week is pretty tough, but I’d still lean toward starting Hall in all formats. I’d avoid Abanikanda in all formats.
Bills Backfield Fantasy Outlook
James Cook led the Buffalo backfield in week 16, with Leonard Fournette getting his first game action of the season.
Cook went for 70 yards on 20 touches, while Fournette tallied 20 yards on five touches.
The matchup with the Patriots is a pretty average one, so I’d lean toward starting Cook in week 17. Fournette is a guy I’d avoid this week.
Dolphins Backfield Fantasy Outlook
The Miami backfield was pretty split between Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane in week 16.
Mostert went for 50 yards and a score on 12 touches, while Achane had 31 yards on eight touches. Jeff Wilson also got six touches, gaining 25 yards.
The Baltimore Ravens’ defense poses a big challenge for the Miami backs in week 17. I’d consider Mostert and Achane in standard formats, but wouldn’t feel great about starting them. I’d give the edge to Mostert because he usually finds the end zone. They should both be starting in deeper leagues.
Ravens Backfield Fantasy Outlook
The Baltimore backfield was split pretty evenly between Gus Edwards in Justice Hill in week 16 with Keaton Mitchell out of the picture.
Edwards had 70 total yards and a score on 10 touches. Hill had 13 touches, tallying 57 total yards.
The Dolphins’ defense is pretty good at slowing opposing backs, and seeing a bit of a committee now, I’d try to stay away from both Edwards and Hill in standard formats - Edwards would be my choice to start because of his scoring chances. Both are pretty solid starting options in deeper leagues.
Steelers Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Najee Harris led the Pittsburgh backfield in week 16, with Jaylen Warren also turning in a solid outing.
A week 17 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks is a very favorable one, so I’d consider starting both Steelers’ backs. I think Harris leads the way again, so I’d lean toward starting him. I like Warren more as a starter in deeper leagues.
Bengals Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Joe Mixon continued to lead the Cincy backfield in week 16, with Chase Brown getting a handful of touches.
Mixon went for 50 yards on 13 touches, while Brown had 24 yards on six touches.
A week 17 clash with the Chiefs is a pretty average matchup for the two backs. Mixon is a starting option in standard leagues, but not a must start. Brown remains a decent starting option in deeper leagues, and is a sleeper starting option in standard leagues.
Browns Backfield Fantasy Outlook
Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt continue to power the Browns’ backfield, although Pierre Strong could factor in more if Hunt misses time with his injury.
In week 16, Ford tallied 23 total yards and a score on 16 touches. Hunt had 16 total yards and a score on nine touches, while Strong went for 22 yards on five touches.
The Jets’ defense struggles to slow the run - although some of that has to do with teams being up big and running a lot. I’d consider Ford and Hunt as starting options in all formats, and lock Ford in if Hunt is out. I’d consider Strong as a starter in deeper formats if Hunt misses the contest.
