Directional rushing update for Week 14

During the NFL season, we’re going to break down how different offenses are utilizing their running backs. As the year goes on, patterns begin to emerge that will allow us to anticipate and exploit mismatches between a defense and an offense we’re targeting in fantasy football. 

Bird’s Eye View

Rushing – Left

Antonio Gibson continues to see an inordinate amount of his carries out to the left. Just over 34% of his rushes have come out with to the left. It’s pretty incredible Derrick Henry hasn’t taken a snap since Week 8 and is still third in this list. Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams continue to feature prominently on this list and, despite what we all saw from Williams, it looks like he’ll slide back into a timeshare upon Gordon’s return.

Rushing – Middle

Najee Harris and Jonathan Taylor come into the week neck and neck for the lead on rushes up the middle. That also means that they’ve been slamming into loaded boxes all season. 

It’s worth noting that the Patriots refusal to pass Monday night has vaulted Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson up the leaderboard. 

Stevenson is starting to assert himself and earn more carries, but it will be a split as long as they’re both healthy. 

Rushing – Right 

It’s the Joe Mixon show out to the right side. He has nearly 20 more carries than anyone else on this list heading into the week. Lamar Jackson is the only non-running back on this list. 

He’s been struggling of late, and his rushing share has been all over the map, ranging anywhere from 20% to almost 60% of the rushes.