ClutchPoints
Week 16 is the penultimate week of the 2025 fantasy football season. Congratulations if your team made it all the way to the fantasy football semifinals. If you made it this far, you’ve probably got some great running backs on your roster. But just having a talented roster is not enough during the fantasy playoffs.
The margins are thin during the playoffs, which means that every edge counts. The best fantasy managers pay close attention to matchups throughout the season, but especially during the playoffs.
There are a handful of must-start players in Week 16, but an even wider field of players you should stay away from if at all possible.
Below we will explore which running backs you should start or sit in Week 16 of the 2025 fantasy football season.
It seems that the Patriots are finally recognizing that Henderson is their starting running back of the future.
Henderson finally got the majority of carries in Week 15 against the Bills. And he made the most of them. The rookie running back went off against Buffalo, turning 14 carries into 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Now he is set up well for another good performance against the Ravens.
Baltimore’s run defense is middle of the road, and their offense is questionable at this point in the season. All good signs for a positive game script.
Rhamondre Stevenson may still get some touches, but Henderson should have the majority. Beyond that, he is the back with big-play potential. That’s exactly what you should be looking for during the fantasy football playoffs.
Start Henderson with confidence in Week 16.
Irving had a disappointing game in Week 15. Bucky got a decent amount of work, but he had a touchdown vultured at the goal line by Sean Tucker.
Thankfully,he should have a much better game against the Panthers.
Last season, Irving played well against Carolina. In fact, he logged 375 scrimmage yards and one touchdown against the Panthers in 2024.
Carolina’s run defense is a tick better this season, but I don’t think that improvement is enough to stop Bucky from having a big game.
Carter is a volume play in Week 16.
The Cardinals saw Bam Knight’s 2025 season end last week after suffering an ankle injury. Carter should benefit from plenty of carries just based on Arizona’s desperate running back situation.
Plus the matchup against Atlanta is pretty good. The Falcons have allowed an average of 127.9 rushing yards per game, which is certainly not too scary.
The only concern I have is whether Arizona’s offense will be functional enough to keep Atlanta honest.
But either way, Carter is in for plenty of work and that alone gives him a high floor. If the game breaks right, he could be a great option.
Other Starts: Rico Dowdle, CAR (vs. TB); Aaron Jones, MIN (at NYG)
Sit ‘Em...
