As we prepare to flip the calendar to December, only two matchups remain until the fantasy football playoffs. Whether you want to call it “crunch time,” “winning time,” or simply the “home stretch,” we all know that the margin for error at running back becomes smaller and smaller at this time of the year. Our Week 13 fantasy RB PPR rankings will help you optimize your lineup at RB1, RB2, and flex heading into one of the most important weekends of the fantasy regular season.
A whopping six teams will be off this week, taking at least seven household fantasy names off the table. A handful of other key backs are banged up. For countless fantasy owners, Week 13 could present the most difficult lineup decisions of the entire fantasy year.
Fret not, fantasy friends. Like we do every week, we deep-dive the running back position and analyze all the stats, matchups, and injuries before breaking down our rankings. So, let’s get to it!
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Which RBs are on bye in Week 13?
The Vikings, Raiders, Bears, Ravens, Giants, and Bills are off this week, taking away Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler, Josh Jacobs, Khalil Herbert, Keaton Mitchell and Gus Edwards, Saquon Barkley, and James Cook.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
We also lose highly favorable RB matchups against the Raiders, Giants, and Bears, which limits some of the studs and sleepers we have available to us in Week 13.
WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy RBs in Week 13?
Christian McCaffrey (@ Eagles in Week 13), Austin Ekeler (@ Patriots), and Raheem Mostert (@ Commanders) all maintain their spots at the top of our rankings despite all playing on the road this week. Travis Etienne (vs. Bengals) plays at home against a pretty good defense, but we love his PPR upside in what should be a very positive game script for Jacksonville.
Speaking of positive game scripts, how awesome has Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco (@ Packers) been lately? The speedy, bruising second-year back put up 25.9 PPR points against Vegas in Week 12, and we like him to beat up on the Packers’ soft run D just as easily this week. We also like the Patriots’ Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. Chargers) in a cold-weather home game against a down-and-out Los Angeles squad. ‘Mondre finished Week 12 with 19.5 PPR points, and he has been one of the lone bright spots for Bill Belichick’s Pats through their four-game losing streak.
Between Cowboys fans and fantasy investors of Tony Pollard (vs. Seahawks), a lot of people are probably very happy about the Dallas RB1’s nice little run over the past two weeks. After a largely underwhelming eight-week stretch for the 26-year-old back, he posted a combined 35 touches (10 catches) for 183 total yards and two TDs in Weeks 11 and 12. Seattle just got gashed by the aforementioned CMC on Thanksgiving, so Pollard must be licking his chops.
The Jets got destroyed by the Dolphins last week, but we expect a much more friendly game script for Breece Hall (vs. Falcons) and Gang Green in a Week 13 meeting with the Dirty Birds at the Meadowlands. We’ll be even more excited about it if it’s cold and wet, which the current seven-day forecast predicts for Sunday. The ATL beat New Orleans in Week 12 but not before surrendering 148 rushing yards to Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, and friends.
Tennessee just ain’t what it used to be defensively — even against the run — so we’re firing up Jonathan Taylor (@ Titans) with full confidence. We also love rookie Bijan Robinson (@ Jets) because even Arthur Smith won’t trust Desmond Ridder to throw too much on Sauce Gardner and the Jets. Don’t worry about the Lions’ stout run D if you’re an Alvin Kamara (vs. Lions) owner. Kamara is basically matchup-proof, and Green Bay’s AJ Dillon just managed 38 receiving yards against Detroit last week.
Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 13?
While we don’t love his floor in standard formats, we’re more confident in the PPR upside of Seattle rookie Zach Charbonnet (@ Cowboys). With Micah Parsons and a strong Dallas pass-rush likely making Seahawks QB Geno Smith’s life a living hell on Thursday, expect a ton of check-downs and screen passes. Kenneth Walker III (oblique) will more than likely miss a second-consecutive start, so Charbonnet makes for a high-ceiling flex play, at the very least. Deep-league PPR investors of KW3 and Charbs might also consider stashing pass-catching back DeeJay Dallas.
We have similar interest in Arizona’s James Conner (@ Steelers) with one more week of rust kicked off of him and starting QB Kyler Murray since their respective returns from injury. T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh pass-rush will be actively raiding the Cards’ pocket, so Conner could see plenty of opportunities through the air. Joe Mixon needed just two catches to rack up 44 yards against the Steelers last week, and Arizona’s offense seems much more equipped to face Mike Tomlin’s squad than Jake Browning and the Bengals.
The Texans’ Devin Singletary (vs. Broncos) underwhelms us in standard formats, but we like his ceiling considerably better in PPR leagues. Despite the Week 12 return of Dameon Pierce after a multi-week absence, Singletary saw more carries (6-5) and catches (6-1) against the Jaguars. You probably already know this, but just in case: Denver has surrendered the most PPR points to RBs this season.
Royce Freeman (vs. Browns) and D’Ernest Johnson (vs. Bengals) wouldn’t be starting considerations most weeks, but deep leaguers might need to consider them due to byes and injuries. Both played well last week — Freeman thanks to garbage time and Johnson because of Etienne’s brief chest injury — so we know they have upside in certain situations. Johnson has much more PPR upside, but Freeman is always a threat to pop in a short TD.
Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts in Week 13?
De’Von Achane (@ Commanders) is going to be tough to sit if he’s active, but he’ll be just as tough to play given what we saw last time he was on the field. Achane exited after just three snaps after aggravating his knee injury, and in a game that Miami could have wrapped up by halftime, it’s unclear how many touches he’ll get. We like the matchup, but don’t play Achane if you have other, higher-floor options.
Even against Denver, we can’t fully trust Dameon Pierce (vs. Broncos) in PPR formats right now. He managed just 14 yards on five carries in Week 12 against the Jaguars, adding just one catch for four yards. Devin Singletary is the PPR back in this Houston offense to deploy if you need a flex. Pierce should probably take a seat until he gives you a reason to believe in him again.
AJ Dillon (vs. Chiefs) made a few decent catches on Turkey Day against the Lions, however, we still don’t love him against Kansas City, even with Aaron Jones week-to-week with a knee injury. Dillon has just 72 rushing yards on 28 carries over the past two weeks, and Chris Jones and this KC D have been stout against plodders.
We say this almost every week, but don’t go near Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard or Miles Sanders (@ Buccaneers) unless you’re desperate. Tampa is much more beatable through the air, and this split is tough to predict (and even tougher to get production from).
What are the biggest RB injuries in Week 13?
De’Von Achane (knee), Aaron Jones (knee), and Kenneth Walker (oblique) all missed last week and are up in the air for Week 13. It’s tough to count on either Jones or Walker playing given their injuries, but Achane has a good chance of returning against the Commanders barring a setback in practice.
Jerick McKinnon (groin) hasn’t been playable for most of the season, but his absence further boosts Isiah Pacheco’s value. If McKinnon is out again against the Packers, Pacheco has an even higher PPR floor than usual.
We’ll be updating these RB PPR rankings all week, so check back for the latest player movement.
Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 13: Who to start, sit at running back
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring formats
Rank Player
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Eagles
2 Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Patriots
3 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Commanders
4 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Bengals
5 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Packers
6 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Chargers
7 Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Seahawks
8 Breece Hall, Jets vs. Falcons
9 Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ Titans
10 Bijan Robinson, Falcons @ Jets
11 Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Lions
12 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Colts
13 David Montgomery, Lions @ Saints
14 Kyren Williams, Rams vs. Browns
15 Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Panthers
16 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions @ Saints
17 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Dolphins
18 Javonte Williams, Broncos @ Texans
19 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Jaguars
20 Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Cardinals
21 D’Andre Swift, Eagles vs. 49ers
22 Jerome Ford, Browns @ Rams
23 Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Cardinals
24 De’Von Achane, Dolphins @ Commanders
25 Devin Singletary, Texans vs. Broncos
26 Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks @ Cowboys
27 James Conner, Cardinals @ Steelers
28 Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Rams
29 AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Chiefs
30 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ Jets
31 Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Broncos
32 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers @ Buccaneers
33 Miles Sanders, Panthers @ Buccaneers
34 Joshua Kelley, Chargers @ Patriots
35 Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots vs. Chargers
36 Royce Freeman, Rams vs. Browns
37 Tyjae Spears, Titans vs. Colts
38 Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins @ Commanders
39 D’Ernest Johnson, Jaguars vs. Bengals
40 Zack Moss, Colts @ Titans
41 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles vs. 49ers
42 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers @ Eagles
43 Chase Edmonds, Buccaneers vs. Panthers
44 Dalvin Cook, Jets vs. Falcons
45 Boston Scott, Eagles vs. 49ers
46 Emari Demercado, Cardinals @ Steelers
47 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars vs. Bengals
48 Rico Dowdle, Cowboys vs. Seahawks
49 Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders vs. Dolphins
50 Jamaal Williams, Saints vs. Lions
51 Samaje Perine, Broncos @ Texans
52 Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos @ Texans
Week 13 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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