ClutchPoints
The fantasy football playoffs are here. That means every carry, every red-zone touch, and every snap matters more than ever. Week 15 is the where the difference between advancing and going home often comes down to choosing the right running back. With no teams on, fantasy managers have a full arsenal at their disposal. Yet recent injuries and shifting workloads make this one of the toughest weeks of the year to project. Whether you’re leaning on your RB1 studs or searching for value in overlooked backfields, our Week 15 rankings break down the safest plays and the sleepers who could win your matchup.
Below are the top running backs for Week 15 and the under-the-radar options who could swing your playoff fate.
Even in a blowout loss to Seattle in Week 14, Bijan Robinson reminded fantasy football managers why he remains one of the league’s most reliable running backs. He rushed 20 times for 86 yards and added two receptions. He also surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season with his first carry of the game. Though he lost a fumble and saw his streak of 100+ scrimmage yard performances snapped, Robinson’s usage remains elite.
Through 13 games, Robinson has produced 1,081 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and has contributed 56 receptions for 604 yards and two scores. His passing-game involvement keeps his floor remarkably high. He now draws a Week 15 matchup with a Tampa Bay defense that has struggled at times to contain versatile backs. With his volume locked in, Robinson remains a top-tier RB1.
In Week 13’s matchup against Cleveland, Christian McCaffrey still found a way to deliver value. He totaled 74 scrimmage yards and punched in a one-yard touchdown, salvaging the day despite the 49ers’ offensive struggles. His 21 receiving yards were a season low. However, his eighth rushing touchdown and 13th total TD showcase why he remains one of the NFL’s most matchup-proof players.
McCaffrey got a much-needed rest during San Francisco’s Week 14 bye. He will return fresh to face a Tennessee defense that has been far more vulnerable than Cleveland’s. Expect the 49ers to funnel the offense through him as they push toward playoff seeding. He remains an unquestioned top-two fantasy football running back for Week 15.
Travis Etienne is heating up at the right time. In Jacksonville’s 36–19 win over the Colts, Etienne carried 20 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns. That marked just his second 20-carry game of the season. His early scoring outburst also showed what he can do when given consistent work.
Etienne has now topped 70 rushing yards in four of his last six games. He continues to be heavily involved in all phases when Jacksonville is in control of the matchup. Against the Jets in Week 15, his role as the Jaguars’ primary red-zone option makes him a high-upside RB1....
