Welcome to the fantasy football Week 12 running back rankings hub!

Week 12 is the week of delicious matchups. Indy’s Jonathan Taylor should rip through the open space left by Tampa Bay’s injured DT Vita Vea. Denver’s depleted front-seven stands no chance of stopping LAC’s Austin Ekeler. Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott was pushed to the RB1/2 border through no fault of his own–he just can’t compete with A.J. Dillon squaring off against the Rams and David Montgomery facing the cowardly Lions.

Below are my top-60 running backs for Week 12. These rankings are geared toward .5PPR scoring formats for Week 12 of the 2021 NFL season but should aid those who play in both non-PPR and full-point PPR formats. I’ve also included my top RB streaming option this week and DFS play of the week (cost via FanDuel).

Check back throughout the week to see how expectations have changed as news continues to roll in, enhancing our prognostication abilities. Feel free to hit me up on twitter @Ginger__Nic for any fantasy related advice.

Stream of the Week: Ty Johnson at Houston Texans

Jets lead back Michael Carter sits on the shelf, nursing a high-ankle sprain for the moment so the young and spry Johnson is in-line for 15 or more touches against a Texans front-seven that’s allowing the 8th most .5PPR RB PPG, 23.8, and ranks second to last in run defense NEFF rating. Tevin Coleman will be involved more than we’d like but this is a can’t-miss situation for Johnson.

DFS Play of the Week: David Montgomery at Detroit Lions ($7,500)

Sometimes the chalk is just too good to ignore. Detroit’s allowing 26.8 .5PPR RB PPG, 3rd most in the NFL, while owning the 6th worst run defense NEFF rating of 2021. Over the last two weeks, similarly used bellcow backs Najee Harris and Nick Chubb both cleared 100 yards rushing and caught all six of their combined targets. Monty’s ready to run.

Week 12 Running Back Rankings