ClutchPoints
Week 18 is where fantasy football strategy becomes brutally practical. Motivation, snap counts, playoff positioning, and injury management now matter just as much as talent. For managers still playing meaningful games, running back is the position most vulnerable to late scratches, surprise rest days, and workload pivots. It’s also the position that can still swing a matchup decisively. As the regular season closes, identifying which backs will actually be fed, and which could quietly disappear, is the key to finishing strong.
Here’s how the running back landscape shapes up entering Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season.
Christian McCaffrey reminded everyone why he remains the gold standard at the position. He rushed 23 times for 140 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 41 yards in Sunday night’s 42-38 win over Chicago. With George Kittle sidelined, the 49ers leaned heavily on McCaffrey. He responded with his highest rushing output of the season.
There’s real incentive here. San Francisco is playing for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. That means McCaffrey should see full usage if he’s active. A minor back stiffness limited him in early-week practice. However, he downplayed the issue. It hasn’t kept him off the field recently. If McCaffrey plays, he’s the top overall running back for Week 18. The Seahawks matchup may not be soft, but volume plus motivation makes him nearly matchup-proof.
Bijan Robinson delivered one of the most dominant performances of the season in Week 17. He rushed 22 times for 195 yards and a touchdown. He also added five catches and a receiving score in a thrilling win over the Rams.
Even without playoff stakes, Atlanta has continued to feed Robinson. His late-season usage has reached elite levels. He enters Week 18 just 12 rushing yards shy of last season’s total and remains the clear engine of the Falcons’ offense. Against the Saints, Robinson profiles as a locked-in RB1.
James Cook didn’t dominate in Week 17. Still, his season-long resume still demands trust. He carried the ball 20 times against Philadelphia, finishing with 74 yards in a tough matchup. It was one of the few times this year Cook failed to reach 4.0 yards per carry.
Still, Cook enters Week 18 with over 1,600 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. The matchup with the Jets is far more favorable. Buffalo may manage snaps depending on playoff plans. However, Cook remains their most reliable offensive piece when active. If he plays his usual role, he’s a strong RB1 to close the regular season.
Travis Etienne Jr quietly continues to offer one of the safest volume profiles in fantasy football. He logged 17 carries for 76 yards in Week 17 and added two receptions.
Etienne has scored 10 total touchdowns...
