KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 07: Woody Marks #27 of the Houston Texans scores a receiving touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Week 14 was the final week for many fantasy football managers to secure a spot in the postseason and some surprise performances defined the high-stakes matchups.

Jahmyr Gibbs notched his third three-touchdown game in his last five contests to continue a torrid pace down the stretch of the season. But it wasn't just him atop the scoring for the week among running backs.

Tony Pollard had his best week of the year with 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns for more fantasy points against the Browns than in his previous five games combined. Another surprise came in the form of Blake Corum, who broke out for a career-best 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Los Angeles Rams.

Week 15 marks the start of the playoffs for many leagues while it's the final push for the postseason in others. In either case, this week's matchups will go a long way to deciding how managers will remember the 2025 fantasy football season.

As usual, we're not here to tell you to start the likes of Gibbs or other top producers at the position. Those are no-brainers regardless of the matchup. We're here to help at your RB2 or FLEX spot, where you could find an edge in these high-stakes weeks. Here are our start and sit recommendations for Week 15 fantasy football:

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 15 RBs

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (at Washington Commanders)

Tracy Jr. and the Giants are back from their late bye week and return immediately for a divisional matchup against the Commanders. Washington is fresh off a shutout loss to Minnesota and will be without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels once again.

This will be an excellent opportunity for Tracy and the Giants. Washington has allowed 162 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last three games. In that span, they've allowed four touchdowns to the position group as well.

New York is rested and can take advantage of Washington's run defense, even on the road. Tracy should be in for a good week.

Woody Marks, Houston Texans (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

Apologies, Mr. Marks. We recommended sitting the Texans' top running back last week against Kansas City and he responded with 76 total yards on 28 touches and a receiving touchdown.

If he can put up that stat line against the Chiefs' defense, he has a much higher ceiling at home against the Cardinals. Arizona just let the Rams' running backs take over in Week 14 with 268 total yards and three touchdowns allowed on 36 touches.

We're not going to argue that Houston's offense is on the same level as Los Angeles' unit at this point in the season. The Rams are one of the best offenses in the league. But Arizona's allowed at least 100 total yards to opposing running back groups in each of their last five games. Marks should have another great week for the Texans in a crucial home game for playoff seeding.

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Henderson and New England are back on the field after their late bye and are rewarded with a high-stakes home game against the Bills. The Patriots beat Buffalo in prime time earlier this year despite managing just 71 rushing yards as a team.

New England's rushing attack has taken a step forward since then, while the Bills' defense has been more susceptible to opposing running games. Buffalo's allowing 139 total yards per game to opposing running backs over their last five matchups. That's good news fantasy-wise and it gets even better when accounting for scoring; opposing running backs have tallied eight touchdowns in that time frame as well.

Henderson's taken on a bigger role since these two teams first faced off. He could have another double-digit performance this week to ensure you move in the playoffs.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (at New York Giants)

If you're looking for value amid some injuries to key FLEX players, consider Rodriguez. The third-year back has taken on a bigger role in recent weeks compared to rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and out-touched him 10 to seven.

Washington's offense will likely struggle without Daniels. They could lean more into the run game at home, given its potential.

New York has allowed opposing running backs to churn out yards and find the end zone regularly in recent weeks. Over their last four matchups, opposing running back groups have averaged 172.5 total yards per game and scored five touchdowns. Rodriguez has great FLEX value if you're looking for a starter in a pinch.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 15 RBs

Breece Hall, New York Jets (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Hall and the rest of the Jets' offense struggled in Week 14 against Miami with just 207 total yards, including just 65 on the ground as a team. Hall had 43 of them on 14 carries and failed to find the end zone.

Things may not be much better this week against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed more than 100 rushing yards to a team just once all season. They're allowing just 69.75 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last four games, with two touchdowns allowed in that span as well.

The Jaguars are fighting for their division title and have the run defense to stand up to the Jets. If you have to start Hall this week due to injuries or other roster setups, don't expect much from him.

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at San Francisco 49ers)

Pollard ran all over the Browns in the Titans' surprising Week 14 win over Cleveland. His 161 rushing yards were a career-best but may not be a sign of things to come.

Tennessee heads on the road to face a 49ers team fresh off its bye. Before their week off, the San Francisco defense was playing well against the run. Opposing running back groups averaged 124.75 total yards per game over San Francisco's last four games, which include matchups against the Rams and Panthers' potent running games. In that span, they've allowed three touchdowns.

It'd be a shock to see the Titans' backs replicate the kind of success they had against Cleveland on the road against San Francisco. Pollard hadn't managed more than 10 points in standard scoring since Week 5 prior to his breakout last Sunday.

Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Miami Dolphins)

We recommended sitting Gainwell last week and he responded with a solid game powered by his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Warren had a touchdown of his own through the air to make it three games in a row with a trip to the end zone.

Both runners could be in trouble in Week 15.

Miami held the Jets' offense in check on the ground in Week 14. Zoom out a bit more and it's the latest in a trend of good performances. The Dolphins are allowing 104.5 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last four matchups. But they haven't allowed a running back to score a touchdown since Week 8.

Pittsburgh may benefit from the cold weather at home this week but the Dolphins' run defense is about as stout as it gets league-wide right now. Don't expect a strong game from either of the Steelers' running backs if you must start them.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Detroit Lions)

Corum's breakout game against Arizona came a week after he scored his first touchdown since Week 2. The second-year running back is averaging 11 yards per carry over his last two games with outstanding results against the Cardinals and Panthers.

The Lions' defense is a different story. You'd be right to have faith in the Rams' offense, but the Lions' defense is multiple tiers better than what Arizona and Carolina are trotting out at this point in the season.

Detroit has allowed 122 total yards per game to opposing running back groups in their last four games, with just one touchdown in that span. Corum made the most of his touches in the win over Arizona but he still isn't getting the most in the Rams' backfield. Both Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers are getting touches with the former leading the way. As fun as it is to ride the hot hand, we're very worried Corum's recent breakout will come to an end against the best run defense Los Angeles has faced since Week 11.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em for Week 15

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 15.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 15 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 15.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em running backs for Week 15 fantasy football

Reporting by Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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