Rushing Matchups Week 15

Photo: USA Today Sports

Go here for this week's Passing Matchups.

Top 5 Rushing Matchups

San Francisco at Arizona

The San Francisco 49ers have rebounded from their recent three-game losing streak, and Christian McCaffrey continues to stand out as a premier fantasy football asset. McCaffrey's dominance in the 49ers' backfield is evident, as he commands a staggering 90% of snaps and garners nearly all pre-garbage time touches. His performance benefits from the high-powered nature of the 49ers' offense, providing him with ample scoring opportunities. McCaffrey's statistics in the team's 10 wins are particularly impressive, averaging 104 yards per game at 5.5 yards per carry, with 10 touchdowns scored. Facing the Cardinals in Week 15, McCaffrey is poised for another strong showing regardless of the game's flow.

The Cardinals have shown improvement in their late-season performances, particularly with their quarterback leading the charge. However, Christian McCaffrey is expected to have a significant impact in fantasy football for Week 15. The Cardinals have allowed a substantial amount of ground yardage this season, with only the Broncos conceding more on average per game. Notably, the Cardinals have surrendered 110 or more rushing yards in 11 of their 13 games, with opposing lead running backs averaging 95 yards per game at 4.6 yards per rush against them. The lack of push in the Cardinals' front seven and the current roster, largely comprised of reserves and practice-squad players, make them an enticing matchup for fantasy football purposes. McCaffrey should benefit from this favorable matchup and is expected to deliver strong fantasy production in the upcoming game.

Philadelphia at Seattle

In recent weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles, despite their struggles, possess a potent ground game led by D'Andre Swift. However, Swift's performance over the last two weeks has been underwhelming, recording a combined total of 52 yards on 17 carries without scoring. It's important to consider the context behind Swift's downturn in production. In both games, the Eagles faced significant deficits, prompting Jalen Hurts to rely more on passing plays and reduce the running game earlier than expected. Swift, when given opportunities, excels behind the Eagles' strong run-blocking offensive line. In Philadelphia wins, where Swift has taken on the lead role since Week 2, he has averaged 17 rushing attempts for 84 yards. Though projecting Philadelphia victories is uncertain at present, oddsmakers favor their chances against Seattle (-4 in Seattle), suggesting they could regain their form or potentially control the game.

The Seattle Seahawks are still in the playoff race but must improve their defense against strong rushing attacks to sustain their chances. Over their last six games, they have allowed opposing rushers to exceed 65 yards in five of those games, with three instances where rushers surpassed 100 yards. Despite having a historically solid defense under coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks' front seven ranks 22nd against the run, indicating a lack of depth, particularly at this stage of the season. While they have notable playmakers such as linebackers Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks, the defense requires a consistent presence, preferably a space-eating nose tackle, to support their linebackers effectively. Key interior linemen Leonard Williams and Jarran Reed contribute more significantly to the pass rush than against the run, highlighting the Seahawks' need to shore up their run defense moving forward.

NY Giants at New Orleans

Saquon Barkley's fantasy value has surged along with the New York Giants' three consecutive wins, indicating a resurgence for the team's offense. During this winning streak against the Commanders, Patriots, and Packers, Barkley showcased his prowess, averaging a reliable 15 carries for 72 yards with two touchdowns. The upcoming matchup against the New Orleans Saints presents a more favorable scenario for Barkley, likely with a similar beneficial game flow as in recent weeks. Additionally, the Giants' offensive line has improved steadily as the season progressed, contributing to Barkley's success. A wild card in this equation is rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito, who has exhibited a penchant for rushing, recording 4 or more carries in four of his five starts, including a breakout performance of 71 yards on 10 attempts in Week 14.

The Saints have witnessed a sharp decline in their run defense under coach Dennis Allen, transitioning from a former strength to a glaring weakness in recent years. Over the past two seasons, their run defense ranking has plummeted from 4th to 24th to its current spot at 26th in the league. This downward trend continued throughout the 2023 season, with the Saints allowing a league-worst average of 169.8 rushing yards per game over the last six weeks. Their struggles have been evident, conceding significant yardage to ten different players in recent matchups. Notably, much of the damage inflicted upon the Saints' defense has come from outside runs, exploiting their emphasis on pass-rushing plays. Although linebacker Demario Davis remains a dynamic playmaker, the lack of support within the front seven, coupled with the absence of star safety Marcus Maye, has further weakened their defensive prowess. Given that the Saints' defense has allowed lesser running backs to thrive, it bodes well for Barkley's fantasy prospects against this vulnerable unit.