Fantasy football playoffs bring a sudden influx of new RB starters

This is a prime-time fantasy playoff week for most, and suddenly there is an influx of new starting running backs who could change the outcomes of fantasy leagues.

▪  With Thomas Rawls lost for the season, Bryce Brown (Seattle) goes from being out of the league to likely starting for the Seahawks. Fumbling has been his issue, but Brown offers high upside talent-wise, especially in a dream matchup at home against Cleveland, which ranks 29th against the run. Seattle also re-signed Christine Michael.

▪  With T.J. Yeldon (knee) likely out, Denard Robinson (Jacksonville) is a very attractive start. Robinson was very busy after Yeldon left the game, and it’s a generous matchup against the beaten-down Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed 499 yards rushing in their past three games, worst in the NFL.

▪  With LeGarrette Blount (hip) done for the year, Brandon Bolden is expected to start for New England, and look for James White to have a larger role. Both are fine plays against Tennessee, which allows the third-most fantasy points to opposing running back this year.

▪  With Jonathan Stewart out, Fozzy Whitaker (Carolina) is expected to start, but Cameron Artis-Payne is also a deep sleeper. Either could lead the team as the hot hand may stay busy. Artis-Payne led the SEC in rushing last year.

▪  Eli Manning (N.Y. Giants) and Odell Beckham Jr. have a tough draw against an elite Panthers defense, but I would trust both in a big game to deliver fantasy results. The Giants will also likely have to keep up with a Panthers offense that has scored a league-best 39 points per game over its past four. The Giants allow the most yards allowed in the NFL.

▪  I would not trust starting Marcus Mariota here in the fantasy playoffs. New England allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and the Patriots will devise a plan to contain the rookie quarterback in a home game.

▪  It would be a great story to bring out Dez Bryant (Dallas) in Week 15 after a bust season and collect a well-deserved fantasy reward. But Bryant simply can’t get it done with Matt Cassel under center. Sit him.

▪  Frank Gore is also a big-name veteran player to avoid this week. Gore is averaging a career-worst 3.6 yards per carry this season and 59 yards rushing per game. The Colts offense is in disarray right now, and averaging just 13 points over the past two weeks.

▪  I have Martavis Bryant (Pittsburgh) ranked 26th among wide receivers this week, the lowest I’ve had him ranked since his return this year. However, and despite going against the top-ranked pass defense, Bryant can earn his fantasy keep on one play and I would be hard-pressed to bench him.

Other week 15 sleepers

▪  Jeremy Hill (Cincinnati) should be in store for a busy week. The Bengals have an inexperienced quarterback in A.J. McCarron so they should lean on the run, where San Francisco is vulnerable. The 49ers allow the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

▪  Emmanuel Sanders (Denver) returns to Pittsburgh for the first time this week after four years as Steeler. Look for Sanders to play an inspired game and he goes against a soft pass defense. Dating back to Week 4, no team allows more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers than the Steelers.

▪  Kamar Aiken (Baltimore) is a safe option in a key fantasy playoff matchup. Over the past five weeks, since Steve Smith was lost for the season, Aiken has been the 18th-best fantasy receiver.

▪  Richard Rodgers (Green Bay) has scored five touchdowns in his past six games (and he’s the No. 4 tight end over those games). Rodgers faces an Oakland defense that has allowed 11 touchdowns to tight ends this year, most in the NFL.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Fantasy football playoffs bring a sudden influx of new RB starters."