Fantasy football Week 15 running back preview: Predictions, waiver wire picks, DFS plays and more

When the Bengals lost Joe Mixon in Week 11, Samaje Perry took a big chance and ran with it. He produced 330 total yards and four touchdowns in a three-game stretch. This came on the heels of a three-game stretch in which Joe Mixon had 361 total yards and six touchdowns.

Regardless of who starts for the Bengals at running back, they have had great success this season. And both backs could be valuable starting in Week 15.

The matchup against Tampa Bay isn’t great on paper, at least for the Raiders. Only three running backs have added 100 yards against them all season and they’ve given up just five touchdowns to running backs this season. But Bengals backs can do a lot of damage through the air. And injuries may force them to do more this week.

As of Tuesday morning, we don’t expect Tae Higgins, Hayden Hurst or Tyler Boyd to suit up for Cincinnati in Week 15. That leaves Yamarr Chase and running backs as the only options for Joe Burrow, who has more than 15 targets. At this time. Besides the 19 carries he’s averaging this season, it’s not hard to imagine the Bengals’ running backs combining for double-digit targets.

For now, look to McConnell as the No. 2 running back and Perine as the top-end tight end, but don’t be surprised if both are very effective this week.

Now let’s move on to the rest of the Week 15 RB Preview:

Week 15 RB preview

At this time, the following players are not expected to play in Week 15. Here is the meaning:

• 15 — carries JK Dobbins for 120 yards and a touchdown. He had a 44-yard dash that didn’t look as explosive as usual, but should only get faster as he gets healthy and could be a big factor in the fantasy game.
• 54 — Travis Etienne’s production has completely failed. As of Week 9, he has yet to rack up 54 rushing yards and also yet to find the end zone.
• 5.4 — Yards allowed by the Chargers defense this season. If that number holds, it will be the highest in the Super Bowl era.
• 77.3% — Zonovan Knight made 77% of the Jets’ rushing attempts in the first game back with Michael Carter.
• `1 — For Nick Chubb’s touchdowns in last four games. He has just one 100-yard rushing game in nine games against the Ravens.
• 114 — That’s two straight games for James Conner with at least 114 rushing yards and a touchdown. He looks healthy and is producing as much as fantasy managers hoped for at the start of the season as a running back.