Week 11 Running Back Rankings- PPR Leagues

As we approach Week 11 and I sat down to write this article, it hit me, there are only six week left in the football season. In most fantasy leagues, there are only three games left before you start your playoffs. It's been a brutal season for fantasy owners as far as running backs are concerned as we've seen a ton of backs get injured and miss the season or a good amount of games. Finding replacements has not been an easy task, especially during the bye weeks. Luckily this is the last week we deal with byes. Some of the backs that are off this week are: Mark Ingram, Shane Vereen, and DeAngelo Williams. That being said, let's dive right into this week's top 50 PPR backs.

To no surprise, fresh off of a bye week, Freeman is at the top of the rankings once again. He's averaging 26.7 fantasy points per game in PPR formats and 6.9 targets per game. Freeman has scored eleven total touchdowns this season and leads the league in receptions amongst running backs. Game flow does not affect Freeman as he is in the game whether the team is ahead or behind. The Colts are surrendering 94.7 rushing yards per game and 4 rushing yards per carry. They're also allowing 4.7 receptions per game and have surrendered 10 total touchdowns.

You may be surprised to see Charcandrick West so high in the rankings, but if you look at his recent games, he's producing at a high level. In the last three games, he's averaging 22 carries per game, 5.3 targets per game, 137.3 total yards per game, and has scored four touchdowns. This week he faces the worst run defense in the NFL. The Chargers are allowing 115.7 rushing yards per game, 5.1 rushing yards per carry, 22.4 fantasy points per game, and have surrendered 11 total touchdowns. Running backs are also averaging 5.7 receptions per game and 57.8 receiving yards per game against the Chargers. They've surrender four rushing touchdowns in the last five games. West has been efficient as the starter for the Chiefs and should continue to do so against an abysmal run defense.

Lamar Miller has been playing extremely well since the Dolphins fired head coach Joe Philbin. He has topped 20 fantasy points in four of the last five games and has been heavily involved in the offense, especially as a pass catcher. He's averaging 5.8 targets in his last four games and has caught five or more passes in three straight games. Miller faces off against a Cowboys defense that surrenders 6.6 receptions per game to opposing backs. He has scored at least one touchdown in each of the last five games. That streak could continue this week as the Cowboys have allowed 10 total touchdowns to opposing backs this season.

Danny Woodhead is right outside of the top 10, but could easily finish as a top 10 back this week. He's second in targets amongst running backs with 59 and averages 6.6 targets per game. He remains the team's red zone back as he receives over 70 percent of the team's red zone rushes. He also averages five receptions per game and has scored three touchdowns in the last three games. The Chiefs defense is not walk in the park, but Woodhead's role as a pass catcher usually puts him in a good spot regardless of the matchup. The Chargers are coming off of a bye and should be well rested, while the Chiefs are coming off of a big win and traveling to the West Coast. I like Woodhead's chances to grab 5-7 catches.

Some backs that can help you during the last week of byes or if you're hurting at running back are, Sproles and Riddick. Sproles is averaging 6.3 targets per game and with the injury to Ryan Mathews could see a larger role in this offense against a vulnerable Miami Dolphins run defense. Keep an eye on Mathews' status, but if he misses, Sproles is a solid flex option. Riddick is inconsistent as far as volume is concerned, but he has been targeted 14 times in the last three games. He has also scored double digit fantasy points in three of the last five games. The thing I like most about Riddick is that even in his worst game this season; he's put up fantasy points. The Raiders have been torched by running backs in the last two games and are allowing 6.6 receptions per game to opposing backs.