As the NFL season continues to heat up in Week 17, several running backs are stepping into critical matchups that could bolster their teams’ playoff aspirations and yield significant fantasy football points.
Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots, aged 27, is looking to make an impact against the New York Jets. Despite missing their earlier encounter due to injury, the stats suggest a favorable matchup. The Jets’ defense has struggled against running backs, allowing multiple players to score significantly over the past weeks. Stevenson, who recently posted 17.8 PPR points in Week 16 against Baltimore, is well-positioned as a solid flex option, particularly as he showed to have a strong snap percentage over his teammate TreVeyon Henderson in prior games.
In Cleveland, rookie Dylan Sampson is gearing up for a potentially prominent role against the Pittsburgh Steelers. At just 21 years old, he hopes to capitalize on his teammates’ injuries, particularly Quinshon Judkins. Sampson demonstrated his capability in Week 1, and with favorable usage patterns from quarterback Shedeur Sanders, his pass-catching ability makes him a high-upside flex in PPR formats.
Michael Carter from the Arizona Cardinals, who has played four years in the league, also presents a promising opportunity in his matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite a less productive Week 16, Carter has a chance to rebound against a defense that ranks last in fantasy points allowed to running backs. With his previous performances and a solid likelihood of volume, he can be a reliable high-end flex option.
The Los Angeles Rams’ Blake Corum has been on a hot streak, scoring at least 13.1 PPR points in his last four games leading into their contest against the Atlanta Falcons. With an impressive track record of touchdowns and consistent yardage, Corum is expected to remain a valuable asset in fantasy leagues.
Lastly, Kyle Monangai of the Chicago Bears is also turning heads after a solid performance against the Green Bay Packers. He has become a reliable option in recent weeks, scoring double-digit fantasy points regularly. His matchup at San Francisco presents an opportunity for further success, especially given the 49ers’ recent struggles against running backs.
The coming week is filled with intriguing prospects for fantasy football enthusiasts, as players like Stevenson, Sampson, Carter, Corum, and Monangai look to capitalize on their respective matchups and further their teams’ chances for victory. Each player holds a unique opportunity to shine, making them worthwhile candidates to consider for your fantasy lineups.