If you're reading this, then you are probably preparing your football fantasy team for the championship or consolation game. Week 15 saw revenge games with reverse outcomes. Notably the rematch of Dallas/Philadelphia, Kansas City/Oakland, and Cleveland/Cincinnati. The upcoming week provides 4 different days of football for fans' viewing pleasure (Thurs, Sat, Sun, Mon). The short week for more teams than usual means that anything can happen and with a fantasy football championship on the line, the focus for the week 16 running back rankings will be with more consistent players.
Below are the NFL week 16 RB rankings for 2014. Keep in mind that theses running back rankings are not a ranking of who the best at the position are, rather a guide to help you figure out who you should be starting week 16 on your season long fantasy team. The week 16 running back rankings take into consideration season long performance, matchup, as well as recent performance.
These players in the rankings will differ a bit from players you might be considering for your daily fantasy football. Any player not playing this week will be excluded from this week 16 running back rankings.
Must Start: If you have them on your team, do not bench them in week 16
1. Le'Veon Bell: Kansas City@Pittsburgh
2. Eddie Lacy: Green Bay@Tampa Bay
3. Jamaal Charles: Kansas City@Pittsburgh
4. C.J. Anderson: Denver@Cincinnati
Since the Broncos' loss to the Rams in week 11, Anderson has not carried the ball less than 21 times in any one game. I feel very comfortable starting him with that amount of touches.
5. Arian Foster: Baltimore@Houston
Very tough matchup for running backs but you can't deny his consistency and usage all season long. He's over 1000 yards rushing on the season and has 230 carries.
6. LeSean McCoy: Philadelphia@Washington
Another tough matchup here but with a championship fantasy game on the line, I would feel more comfortably starting a consistently good player like McCoy that taking a chance on someone else who could boom or bust.
7. Mark Ingram: Atlanta@New Orleans
The Falcons have surrendered 5 touchdowns in only 2 weeks to opposing running backs. I like his chances for finding the end zone in week 16 although he hasn't had as many touches in recent weeks.
8. Justin Forsett: Baltimore@Houston
He had his worst game of the year last week against Jacksonville but you can't completely write him off for that. He has been very productive all year long, racking up over 1000 yards and 5+ yards per carry.
9. Matt Forte: Detroit@Chicago
It's tough rolling with Forte when this offense is so defunct right now but they are still trying to get him involved in the offense. I think you can start him knowing he will get a minimum amount of activity in the game and knowing what he has done most of the season.
10. Marshawn Lynch: Seattle@Arizona
Tough matchup again on the week 16 RB rankings, but again Lynch is an integral part of this offense and you can count on him getting carries even with an unfavorable matchup.
11. DeMarco Murray: Indianapolis@Dallas
Murray's status for the game is currently doubtful due to his hand injury. The situation has to be agony for fantasy owners as he has been the rock on many rosters all season long. If you have Lance Dunbar or Joseph Randle stashed away, you could go that route as the Cowboys are likely to continue their season long game plan even without Murray. Keep your eyes locked on his status all the way up until kickoff.
12. Joique Bell: Detroit@Chicago
The Lions have really gotten him involved in this offense recently and it's working out well for the team as they get ready for the playoffs. The Bears' defense is slumping and on top of giving up fantasy point to WR and QB, they are now a very favorable matchup for RBs as well. They have allowed 277 yards rushing, 142 yards receiving and 3 TDs to running backs in the last 2 weeks.
Start these guys if you don't have any of the ones above
13. Fred Jackson: Buffalo@Oakland
Surprisingly consistent player with a somewhat average ceiling going against a very favorable matchup. In the last 4 weeks, 7 touchdowns have been scored by running backs on the Oakland defense.
14. Jonathan Stewart: Cleveland@Carolina
If week 15 was any indication of Cleveland play for the rest of the season, any running back will have a good stat line against a team that cannot score points.
15. Lance Dunbar: Indianapolis@Dallas
It appears that DeMarco Murray will suit up for the game but who knows whether he will actually play much or not. The smart move would be to rest him a bit to get him ready for the playoffs. Either way, the backups are going to see more action than they have all season no matter what the degree of playing time Murray gets.
16. Steven Jackson: Atlanta@New Orleans
Another consistent player with a low ceiling against and a favorable opponent. Safe starting choice here that won't end up with close to zero fantasy points.
17. Jeremy Hill: Denver@Cincinnati
18. Daniel Herron: Indianapolis@Dallas
Very consistant play from Herron ever since week 12 even with limited touches. I think he is a good option against Dallas who have given up 4 rushing touchdowns in the last 2 weeks.
19. Matt Asiata: Minnesota@Miami
Miami continues it's poor play against the run and he could have a very surprising day like he did last week.
20. Lamar Miller: Minnesota@Miami
21. Toby Gerhart: Tennessee@Jacksonville
Hasn't done much this season but he is getting the most carries for the team now and is going against a very bad Tennessee defense. This will be the best matchup possible for Jacksonville runners.
22. Tre Mason: NYG@St. Louis
23. Pierre Thomas: Atlanta@New Orleans
Thomas poses more of a threat when catching the ball than Ingram but shared reps diminishes his fantasy value. This is a good week for the Saints running backs to get in the end zone in general considering the matchup.
24. Alfred Morris: Philadelphia@Washington
The best of the rest: Start these guys if that's all you have
25. Latavius Murray: Buffalo@Oakland
26. Doug Martin: Green Bay@Tampa Bay
27. Andre Williams: NYG@St. Louis
28. Joseph Randle: Indianapolis@Dallas
29. Ryan Mathews: San Diego@San Francisco
30. Kerwynn Williams: Seattle@Arizona
31. LeGarrette Blount: New England@NYJ
32. Isaiah Crowell: Cleveland@Carolina
33. Giovani Bernard: Denver@Cincinnati
34. Frank Gore: San Diego@San Francisco
35. Reggie Bush: Detroit@Chicago
36. Knile Davis: Kansas City@Pittsburgh
37. James Starks: Green Bay@Tampa Bay
38. Chris Johnson: New England@NYJ
39. Darren Sproles: Philadelphia@Washington
40. Storm Johnson: Tennessee@Jacksonville