Start 'Em, Sit 'Em running backs: Week 15 fantasy football

Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season is here, meaning it is time for the playoffs in many fantasy football leagues.

Last week saw the second and final "Byemaggedon" of the season with six teams out on a bye, including stars from the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders.

Now, it's time to turn to the postseason or one more week to secure playoff positioning. That means some high-stakes lineup decisions. If you're wondering about what to do at running back, we've got you covered. Here are five running backs to start and five to sit in Week 15:

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 15 RBs

Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (at New Orleans Saints)

Robinson Jr. and the Commanders are back in action in Week 15 after their bye. Last time out against the Titans, Robinson Jr. had 109 total yards and a touchdown in a top-12 performance in all formats.

This week, he faces a Saints defense that's allowed 135 total yards per game and four touchdowns in their last four games. Austin Ekeler is still recovering from a Week 12 concussion and could miss this game, leaving more opportunity for Robinson Jr. to excel.

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Chicago Bears)

Jones had a surprisingly good performance last week against Atlanta. He was a sit candidate but had 84 total yards and a touchdown against the Falcons.

He has a better matchup this week. Defensive coordinator Eric Washington just got shredded by the 49ers for 319 yards in the first half last week and three rushing touchdowns. Kevin O'Connell and this Vikings offense should push the Bears' defense as well and Jones should benefit against a team allowing 176 total yards per game and five touchdowns to the position over the last four weeks.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

Hubbard is back in our start section thanks to two factors: playing the Cowboys' 30th-ranked run defense and Jonathon Brooks needing season-ending knee surgery.

The path is clear for Hubbard to continue as one of the best running backs in fantasy football. He managed 107 total yards and a touchdown against Philadelphia last week, a much tougher defense than what he'll face this week.

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Montgomery's consistency is impressive over the last five games. He's scored five touchdowns and averaged 108 total yards in that span.

Buffalo's defense has struggled against running backs recently, including last week against the Rams. Los Angeles' backs had 131 total yards and two touchdowns a week after the 49ers' backs averaged nearly six yards per carry. Shootout loss or blowout win, Buffalo's letting opposing running games go off.

There may not be a better designed rush offense in the league than what Detroit is doing on a weekly basis. Look for Montgomery to have another good week.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

This is contingent on starter Breece Hall missing this game with injury. Hall did not play last week against Miami and Allen had 81 total yards on 15 touches in the overtime loss to the Dolphins.

The Jets stay on the road this week and face one of the worst run defenses in the league. Jacksonville has allowed opposing running back groups to average 170 total yards and score four touchdowns in the last four games. If Hall's not good to go, Allen could be a good FLEX option to help your playoff push.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 15 RBs

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Philadelphia Eagles)

Harris couldn't follow up his RB3 performance in Week 13 to the same standard in Week 14. The Steelers running back had 53 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in a good-but-not-great performance at home.

This week, Pittsburgh heads on the road to face one of the toughest defenses in the league. Philadelphia has allowed 103 total yards per game and two touchdowns to opposing running back groups over the last three games. Harris may be a must-start but don't expect a great game from him against the No. 2 scoring defense in the NFL.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Los Angeles Chargers)

Irving's run as a top-10 fantasy running back came to a unfortunate end in Week 14 against the Raiders. Irving had just 18 yards on five touches before leaving the game with a back injury. If he's able to go in Week 15, he may struggle against one of the better run defenses in the league.

Aside from the Ravens in Week 12 and the Falcons in Week 13, teams have struggled to run on the Chargers. A banged-up Irving isn't on the level of Derrick Henry or Bijan Robinson and likely won't put up a top performance.

De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at Houston Texans)

The Dolphins' running game is the second-worst in the NFL on a per play basis, according to Sumer Sports' expected points added (EPA)/rush metrics. Achane's continued to be a viable starter thanks to his work in the passing game, which has helped the Dolphins' offense remain an efficient machine.

Unfortunately, they're facing a Texans team fresh off a bye in Week 15. Houston has the No. 7-ranked pass defense and hasn't allowed more than 26 receiving yards to running backs in their last three contests. In that span, opposing running back groups are averaging 100 total yards per game and have scored just one touchdown. Achane may be a must-start at this point but, like Harris, may struggle on the road.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

Tracy Jr. scored a touchdown for the third time in his last four games against New Orleans last week. Those touchdowns have upped his value; he's averaging just 80.5 total yards in that span.

This week, he's facing one of the best run defenses in the league that had a bye last week. Baltimore has allowed one 100-yard rusher all season: Saquon Barkley. The Giants' run game is not at the level of Philadelphia's and will likely have trouble against the Ravens. Baltimore is allowing just 3.5 yards per carry this season. If Tracy Jr. can't find the end zone, he'll be in for a tough week.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (at Cleveland Browns)

Pacheco's return to the field has been solid but unspectacular. He got up to 16 touches last week against the Chargers and finished the night with 61 yards. That was a slight improvement on his 49-yard performance against the Raiders in Week 13.

He faces a Browns defense that's distinctly better at home than on the road against the run. Cleveland's allowing 150 rushing yards per game on the road; only the Panthers are allowing more (170.1) than that. But at home, Cleveland's allowing 102.2 rushing yards per game, a mark that would put the Browns seventh in the NFL.

It's tempting to put Pacheco in after likely stashing him on IR for most of the season but Cleveland on the road is not a good matchup to rely on him.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, 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.

→ Kickers are people, too. Here are the most clutch kickers to start, and some to sit, for Week 15.

→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself 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.

→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent's offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 15.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 15: Ten RBs to start or sit