Week 16 Starts

Here are 5 RBs with good matchups this weekend… in two minutes or less.

Quinshon Judkins (CLE) vs. BUF

Judkins hasn’t been efficient lately, but his role and scoring equity remain intact heading into a critical Week 16 spot.

• Still dominates Cleveland’s early-down and goal-line work, including Wildcat usage near the stripe

• Has handled 12+ carries in six of his last eight games, even in losses

• Cleveland’s remaining schedule projects as favorable for RB scoring, keeping volume intact

Efficiency comes and goes, but volume plus goal-line trust is how fantasy points survive ugly games, and that’s exactly how Judkins profiles this week.

Aaron Jones (MIN) @ NYG

Jones continues to operate as Minnesota’s most trusted back, and this matchup finally tilts in his favor.

• Drew the start again in Week 15 and stayed involved as both a runner and receiver

• Continues to out-snap and out-route Jordan Mason in competitive games

• Giants are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs

This is the type of defense where Jones’ steady role turns into real production… not flashy, but exactly what you want in the semifinals.

Derrick Henry (BAL) vs. NE

Henry hasn’t scored in back-to-back weeks, but the usage and matchup still scream rebound.

• Coming off a 100-yard day on just 11 carries, showing big-play juice is still there

• Remains Baltimore’s focal point when they want to control tempo

• New England has softened against physical runners over the last month

This is a classic “trust the workload and let the game come to him” spot, the kind that quietly swings playoff matchups.

Michael Carter (ARI) vs. ATL

Carter doesn’t exactly jump off the page, but Week 16 lines up as a rare volume-driven opportunity.

• Played 49 of 62 snaps in Week 15 after Bam Knight exited, functioning as an every-down back

• Handled 14 carries and caught all four targets, clearly leading the backfield over Emari Demercado

• Atlanta continues to allow usable production to running backs, even while holding up better against the pass

When a back is touching the ball on early downs and in the passing game this late in the season, you don’t need upside, you take the workload and let the matchup do the rest.

Bucky Irving (TB) @ CAR

Irving is healthy, trusted, and entering one of the friendliest playoff matchups on the board.

• Last week was the ONLY time he finished worse than RB15 in any of his healthy games this season

• Still got the lion’s share of the carries in Week 15’s loss (16 compared to 1 for White and 4 for Tucker)

• Tampa Bay’s remaining schedule ranks among the most favorable for RBs

He doesn’t need perfect efficiency. His touch floor and matchup do the heavy lifting. If you held him this long, this is exactly why.

So that’s the list. Running backs who just might help you advance this weekend… as promised, in 2 minutes or less.

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See you tomorrow,

-Joe

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