NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 12

All season, I have stayed steady with the take that Henderson would break out once given the opportunity to do so. And breakout he has! With Rhamondre Stevenson out for the last three weeks, Henderson has averaged 24.3 fantasy points in three starts. He has scored 28-plus in two straight, racking up five total TDs. Over the three-week span, Henderson ranks first among RBs in rush TDs, fifth in rush yards, third in rush yards over expectation and third in yards after contact per carry. Oh, and he is sixth among RBs in catches. Now he gets the Bengals, who have allowed the most rushing yards and fantasy PPG to RBs. Stevenson may return, and that obviously would ding Henderson a bit, but I believe the rookie will remain the lead back after the last couple of weeks. It's not like Stevenson was lighting it up -- his average of 3.4 yards per carry is the second-worst of any RB with at least 80 totes. Given Henderson's recent usage and production, paired with this matchup, he remains a very strong start.

Last week was a disappointing fantasy outing for Marks, but he received bell-cow usage for the second straight game. In the last two weeks, Marks has played 73 percent of the snaps, with 80 percent of the running back carries and half the RB targets. He has averaged 14.6 touches per game in his last five outings and scored over 12 fantasy points three times. He gets a fantastic matchup this week against Buffalo. The Bills have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and most rushing TDs to RBs. They've given up explosive runs at the fourth-highest rate. In total, they have allowed the second-most fantasy PPG to RBs.

Montgomery touched the ball just seven times last week and finished with 4.7 fantasy points, his second-lowest figures in both categories this season. He has averaged 13 fantasy PPG in Lions wins, compared to eight per game in losses. That is not me saying Detroit needs to use Monty more -- it's pointing out that he is more game-script dependent than in the past. The good news for him is that the Lions get the Giants this week. Not only is this a game I expect Detroit to play from ahead in, but it is a great matchup. The G-Men have allowed the second-most rushing yards, fourth-most rushing TDs and third-most fantasy PPG to RBs. They have yielded league highs in yards per carry, yards before contact per carry and explosive run rate. Monty, who has seen seven of nine goal-line carries for the Lions, is in play this week.

Last week might have represented a big step forward for Walker. He was the lead back, playing 51 percent of the snaps, with 16 carries to Zach Charbonnet's 11. He also ran more routes, saw more targets and had the only goal-line carry. Perhaps it was just because the Seahawks were in catch-up mode, but the hope is that they are leaning on their best RB more. Head coach Mike Macdonald did say Monday that Walker “deserves some more opportunities.” Plus, he gets a strong matchup against the Titans. Tennessee has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns and is top 10 when it comes to most yards and fantasy PPG yielded to RBs. The Titans are below average as a defense in yards per carry, yards before and after contact and explosive run rate allowed this season. Game script should be on the Seahawks' side, so they could feed their backs. Even if Walker has to share the workload, he is worth a shot in this matchup.

While he is having a great season, Williams has slowed down a bit as of late, with fewer than 11 fantasy points in two straight games. One thing that worries me is he is quickly approaching his career high in touches. An even bigger concern for this week: Philadelphia's defense. The Eagles have been tough against the run this season, but reached new heights (pun intended) in recent weeks. Since Week 7, they have allowed the second-fewest yards, yards per carry and yards before contact per carry to RBs. With four teams on bye, Williams is not a must-sit, but if you have the capability to avoid this matchup, I would do so.

Last week was the Giants' first game without Brian Daboll at the helm. In that contest, we saw Tracy play the lead role over Singletary, but the two split opportunities pretty evenly. Tracy logged 52 percent of snaps to Singletary's 48. Tracy had the slight edge in carries while Singletary ran more routes -- but Tracy saw more targets. The goal-line work went to Singletary. While I prefer the more explosive Tracy, last week's usage makes both purely flex options. This week, they face the Lions, who are among the six stingiest defenses when it come to yards and touchdowns allowed on the ground. They have yielded the fewest receiving yards, receiving TDs and fantasy PPG to backs, as well. Get away from New York's RBs this week.

Despite starting the past six games for the Buccaneers, White has not enjoyed much fantasy success. He has averaged 8.8 fantasy PPG in his last four outings. He did not score a single touchdown in that span, producing explosive runs on less than five percent of his carries. Bucky Irving is nearing return and could take his gig back as soon as this week. If not, Sean Tucker has a strong case to be the lead back for the Bucs. Tucker had 21 opportunities (carries + targets) last week to White's 13. It's possible White could be demoted to RB3 in Tampa Bay when Irving returns. On top of that all, the Bucs face the Rams, who have given up the third-fewest fantasy PPG to running backs, allowing just three touchdowns all year to the position. Heading into Week 12, White is closer to droppable than startable.

Pollard has averaged just 8.9 fantasy PPG when Tyjae Spears has been active this season. And it's been trending further down lately, as he has scored single digits in four of his last five games. The worst part for Pollard is that Spears has been more utilized in the passing game. With the Titans trailing so often, passing-downs back is the most valuable role in this backfield. Losing that volume has made Pollard a low-upside flex option. I wouldn't expect that to change this week, as the Seahawks have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards to RBs. They are in the top five defensively in yards per carry, yards before contact per carry and explosive run rate allowed to RBs.