Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Running Backs to Start
Travis Etienne JAC
Travis Etienne continues to operate as the centerpiece of the Jaguars’ backfield, maintaining a strong hold on usage despite occasional concerns about Bhayshul Tuten cutting into his role. Last week, Etienne logged 15 carries for 86 yards and added three receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown on four targets while playing 65% of the snaps — his highest snap share since Week 2. He has handled 66% of Jacksonville’s RB carries and 65% of their RB targets on the season, ranking top ten in total backfield opportunity share. Etienne has also earned five of the team’s eight goal-line carries, an indicator of how the Jaguars trust him in scoring situations. Tennessee’s defense ranks bottom eight in fantasy points allowed to running backs and has surrendered the second-most rushing touchdowns in the league, giving up 13 through 12 weeks. Eight different running backs have scored at least 13.1 PPR points against this unit, and they enter Week 13 allowing explosive runs at an above-average rate.
Etienne is a strong start in fantasy football this week thanks to both a matchup advantage and sustained involvement in all phases of the Jaguars’ offense. His combination of 18+ touches in four straight games and Tennessee’s inability to stop explosive run plays makes him one of the safest bets on the slate. The Titans are allowing the sixth-most rushing yards, and their issues in short-yardage defense create a path to touchdown equity for Etienne. Fantasy football managers prioritizing secure volume and matchup alignment should feel confident deploying him. Etienne profiles as an RB1 this week and remains firmly locked into starting lineups.
Kenneth Walker SEA
Kenneth Walker has begun to separate from Zach Charbonnet over the past several weeks, regaining his status as the most explosive runner in Seattle’s offense. He sits at 147 carries for 677 yards and four touchdowns on the year, ranking top five among running backs in explosive run rate and 13th in yards per touch. Charbonnet’s workload has regressed dramatically from the early portion of the season, dropping from 14–17 touches per game down to a 6–13 range recently. Seattle enters Week 13 as 10.5-point favorites, creating a projected run-heavy game script that aligns with Walker’s early-down dominance. Minnesota’s defense has surrendered more than 30 rushing attempts per game over the last five weeks and has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards over its previous three matchups. With the Vikings potentially forced to start undrafted rookie Max Brosmer at quarterback, Seattle could control the pace and possession early. Walker’s increasing snap share and efficiency metrics point toward an opportunity spike in this environment.
Walker is a strong start in fantasy football this week because the matchup and projected game script support a high-volume workload. If Seattle plays from ahead, Walker should clear 16–20 touches and maintain his explosive-play upside against a defense that has struggled recently to limit chunk gains. Minnesota’s run defense ranks below average in DVOA, and with Seattle trending toward a more ground-oriented approach when favored, Walker’s probability of finding the end zone rises. Fantasy football managers should view him as a safe RB2 with RB1 upside given the team context and his recent performance spike.
Breece Hall NYJ
Breece Hall enters Week 13 with a volatile fantasy profile, sitting at RB15 on the season but buoyed by a handful of explosive performances. The Jets offense has been inconsistent, but Hall has quietly averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game since Week 8, making him the RB7 over that span. Atlanta has been shredded on the ground recently, giving up 547 rushing yards on 119 carries (4.58 YPC) and four rushing touchdowns over their last four weeks. Pass-catching backs have also punished the Falcons, totaling 23 receptions for 197 yards and two touchdowns over that same period. Hall’s dual-threat skillset has been on display, with 181 rushing yards and 137 receiving yards on nine receptions across his last four games. Last week, despite rushing inefficiency (44 yards on 16 carries), he delivered 75 receiving yards on four catches. The Falcons’ defensive struggles align well with Hall’s ability to generate chunk plays as both a rusher and receiver.
Hall is a strong start in fantasy football this week due to his expanded receiving role and a matchup that boosts all-purpose backs. The Jets lack reliable playmakers outside of Hall, making him the centerpiece of their offense regardless of game script. Atlanta’s vulnerability to pass-catching running backs dramatically enhances his floor, while their declining run-defense efficiency provides upside. Fantasy football managers can confidently rely on his recent touch consistency, as he has 18+ touches in four consecutive games. Even with the Jets’ offensive unpredictability, Hall’s usage ensures bankable volume in a week where matchup correlation is highly favorable. He profiles as a top-12 running back and should be in all starting lineups.
Running Backs to Sit
Aaron Jones MIN
Aaron Jones has shown flashes of value since returning from injury in Week 8, posting at least 11.1 PPR points in three of his last four games. However, Minnesota’s offense continues to limit his ceiling, as he has averaged just 10.5 fantasy points per game in that stretch and scored only one touchdown. With Jordan Mason siphoning meaningful touches, Jones’ path to 15+ touches has been inconsistent, and Minnesota’s offensive injuries further complicate matters. The offensive line could be significantly weakened with Christian Darrisaw and Donovan Jackson both leaving Week 12’s game due to ankle injuries. The Seahawks pose one of the toughest matchups in football for opposing running backs, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards, just four rushing touchdowns, and a league-low 3.4 yards per carry. They also rank bottom two in explosive runs allowed and yards before contact. This defensive profile significantly reduces the likelihood of a breakaway play or efficiency spike for Jones.
Jones is a sit in fantasy football this week because the combination of matchup, offensive instability, and workload uncertainty makes him an extremely risky play. With undrafted rookie Max Brosmer potentially starting at quarterback, Seattle will likely stack the box and force Minnesota to throw. Jones’ chances of delivering a ceiling performance rely heavily on receiving work, which is too volatile to trust in a week without byes. Fantasy football managers should avoid banking on a touchdown against a defense that rarely allows them. The risk outweighs the reward, making Jones a low-floor option and better suited for the bench.
Tyrone Tracy Jr NYG
Tyrone Tracy Jr has carved out a meaningful role in the Giants’ backfield, logging 20 carries and four targets last week while playing 71% of the snaps. However, despite his recent surge, he still operates in a timeshare with Devin Singletary, who handled 14 carries in Week 12. The Giants enter Week 13 as 7.5-point underdogs with a low implied team total of 19.5 points, suggesting limited scoring chances and a likely negative game script. The Patriots present one of the league’s toughest matchups for running backs, allowing the fewest rushing touchdowns and the second-fewest yards per carry. They have also allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs overall and consistently shut down early-down efficiency. Even at elevated volume, Tracy’s production becomes volatile when factoring in the split workload and hostile defensive environment. The Patriots’ home defensive splits are even more concerning, as only one running back has scored more than 13.1 PPR points against them this season.
Tracy is a sit in fantasy football this week because the matchup caps both his floor and ceiling in a way that makes him nearly impossible to trust. Even with solid usage, the Patriots’ defensive front severely limits rushing efficiency and reduces touchdown opportunities. Fantasy football managers must prioritize safe workloads in a week where all teams are active, and Tracy’s role is neither insulated nor supported by a favorable opponent. While Tracy’s long-term outlook is encouraging, he should remain on the bench this week given the defensive matchup and game environment.
Chris Rodriguez Jr WAS
Chris Rodriguez Jr has emerged as Washington’s lead early-down runner, handling 15 carries for 79 yards in his last appearance and scoring in two of his last three games. However, his lack of receiving involvement severely limits his weekly range of outcomes, as he has just one reception this entire season. Denver’s defense poses a difficult challenge, ranking fourth in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs and allowing only six rushing touchdowns all year. Washington’s backfield also remains somewhat fragmented, with Jacory Croskey-Merritt involved on early downs and Jeremy McNichols operating on passing plays. Rodriguez enters Week 13 ranked outside the top 35 in PPR formats despite heavy volume, illustrating how limited he becomes without scoring. Denver has also improved significantly in run defense since early-season struggles, reducing opponent efficiency and minimizing explosive plays. This combination creates a narrow path to production.
Rodriguez is a sit in fantasy this week because his profile is too touchdown-dependent to start with confidence in a difficult matchup. The Broncos rarely allow rushing touchdowns, and Rodriguez lacks the receiving volume necessary to buoy his fantasy football output in tougher games. Even if he leads the team in carries, the absence of pass-game involvement restricts his floor to low single-digit points whenever he doesn’t score. With Washington likely facing a competitive or negative game script, McNichols may see more snaps, diminishing Rodriguez’s value. Fantasy football managers should avoid starting him in Week 13 unless desperate for volume, as the matchup and role severely limit his upside.
