Week 17 Rushing Matchups

Photo: Brad Rempel, USA Today Sports

Go here for this week's Passing Matchups.

Top 5 Rushing Matchups

LA Rams at NY Giants

The Rams continue to heavily rely on Kyren Williams as their primary running back, giving him the lion's share of the team rushes since Week 11. Williams' dominance has translated into consistent fantasy production, highlighted by four 100+ yard games in his last six outings. His agility and effectiveness in navigating through the Rams' less-than-ideal offensive line set him apart from previous backs. Facing the Giants, who have struggled defensively, Williams has an advantageous matchup and the potential to exploit the Giants' deficiencies.

The Giants' defensive struggles have been evident throughout the 2023 season, particularly in run defense. Allowing opponents to gain yardage consistently, the Giants' lack of talent and depth has been exposed. Despite linebacker Bobby Okereke's emergence as a bright spot, the overall unit is primarily comprised of journeymen and special-teamers. The Giants have allowed six of the last seven teams to run for 120 yards or more and are allowing the third-most rushing yards to opposing running backs on the season, as they're allowing 114 yards per game to the position. The lack of support from the defensive front compounds their issues, creating opportunities for opposing backs to thrive. Against the Rams' dominant rushing attack, the Giants' defensive frailties will likely persist, paving the way for another productive outing for Williams.

Minnesota vs Green Bay

The Vikings seem inclined to continue entrusting their backfield to Ty Chandler for the remainder of the 2023 season. Chandler has overtaken Alexander Mattison in snaps and touches over their recent games, showcasing his effectiveness in Week 15 with 132 yards and a touchdown. Although he did struggle in Week 16 with just 8 carries for 17 yards, the Vikings seemingly wanted to attack the Lions through the air and were having success, so they abandoned the rushing attack. Chandler's ability to navigate through traffic aligns well with the Vikings' offensive line, which tends to struggle to create consistent openings. Despite being relatively untested, Chandler's volume and favorable matchup position him as a promising option for Week 17.

The Packers' run defense has experienced significant instability, allowing multiple opponents to surpass the 200-yard mark and ranking 30th in the league. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry's scheme often leaves linebackers exposed if lacking a standout talent like Fred Warner to mitigate run plays effectively. The Packers have attempted to address these issues by drafting Quay Walker, but his development into a disciplined off-ball playmaker remains a work in progress. The defense's inconsistencies leave them vulnerable to opposing ground attacks, making them susceptible to running backs with favorable matchups. While the Packers run defense held Chuba Hubbard to just 43 rushing yards last week, this defense has allowed 70 yards or more to six running backs in the six prior games to last week.

Pittsburgh at Seattle

The Steelers displayed a revived offensive performance in Week 16, amassing 397 total yards, with Najee Harris contributing significantly on the ground. Harris, breaking a two-game slump, demonstrated his capability with 78 yards and a touchdown. Although consistency might be an issue for Harris and Jaylen Warren, their improvement since the team's recommitment to the run in Week 9 is evident. Warren offers big-play potential, while Harris maintains a more stable role in the offensive scheme. Harris is questionable this week as he missed practice on Wednesday, so if he is unable to play, Jaylen Warren should see as much volume as he can handle which would be exciting to see him step in as a primary running back.

Contrarily, the Seahawks' defense has struggled to contain rushing offenses throughout the 2023 season. Despite a promising start, they've allowed an average of 154.8 rushing yards over their last 10 games. Recent performances against notable runners like Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry highlight their vulnerabilities against the run. The Seahawks' defensive lineup lacks a commanding presence on the line of scrimmage, leaving gaps for opposing offenses to exploit. This deficiency, coupled with a focus on pass defense, has resulted in favorable matchups for running backs against the Seahawks. The issue for the Seahawks has been their defensive line. Defensive tackle Jarran Reed continues to struggle as does Boye Mafe and Darrell Taylor, as this defense is designed to get to the quarterback as they rely heavily on Bobby Wagner to stop the run. While Wagner continues to play at a high level, he can only do so much when he has to shed multiple blockers. Now the team will be without Jordyn Brooks, and Devin Bush, who has consistently been one of the worst run-stopping gap-sound linebackers in the NFL throughout his career, will likely get the start alongside Wagner.