New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs the ball in the third quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The Bengals fall to 3-8 with a 26-20 loss at home.

What a week for fantasy football in Week 12.

Jahmyr Gibbs was in a class of his own in powering the Detroit Lions' comeback win in overtime over the visiting New York Giants. He cleared the rest of the running backs by a mile in Week 12 with 55.4 points in PPR leagues; that was more than double the next-best performer, Christian McCaffrey at 27.4.

One of our sit recommendations from last week, Ashton Jeanty, delivered an outstanding performance thanks to his work as a receiver. His 17 carries for 50 yards on the ground were as expected against a good Browns defense but his eight catches for 58 yards and a touchdown turned it into a top-five performance in Week 12 in full PPR leagues.

It's on to Thanksgiving week.

Gibbs and other top fantasy running backs like Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry and Javonte Williams will be in action for the NFL's most popular holiday. It is also one of the final weeks of the fantasy regular season ahead of what could be a thrilling playoff slate.

We're not going to recommend sitting any of your stars. If you're making decisions further down your lineup, we're here to help there. A good RB2 or FLEX choice could make the difference between getting a step closer to the postseason and twiddling your thumbs for the final month of the NFL season.

Here are five recommendations to start and four to sit for Week 13 fantasy football:

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 13 RBs

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots (vs. New York Giants)

Henderson followed his three-touchdown performance in Week 11 against New York with a slightly down week against a porous Bengals defense. He managed a respectable 81 yards on 21 touches but failed to find the end zone for the first time since Week 9.

He should have a better go of it against the Giants this week. He solidly out-touched backfield running mate Rhamondre Stevenson 21-7 and was the more explosive back in a surprisingly close game against Cincinnati.

New York faced a similar two-back tandem in Detroit last week and gave up 263 yards and three touchdowns to the more explosive ball carrier in Gibbs. Henderson may not hit that mark but he should be in for a performance closer to what he did in Week 11 versus the Jets than in Week 12 against Cincinnati.

RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos (at Washington Commanders)

Harvey took on a bigger share of the load on offense with J.K. Dobbins out with injury in Week 11. His reward was a week off in Week 12 and a return to the field against the Commanders' defense.

Washington also had Week 12 off but had struggled to limit running backs prior to the break. Miami's running backs racked up 214 total yards in Week 11. Detroit's backs got to 247 total yards and three touchdowns as a group in Week 10.

Denver gets the benefit of a bye just as Washington does. Harvey will get another week with more touches against a bad run defense. The Commanders will be without quarterback Jayden Daniels for this game and that could skew things even more in Denver's favor and lean the game script to Harvey's benefit.

Jaylen Warren or Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Both of these Pittsburgh running backs hit double-digit fantasy points against the Chicago Bears in Week 12. Warren had 18 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown while Gainwell had 122 total yards on 16 touches. This week could be another excellent week for the Steelers' duo.

Buffalo just played one of the worst running games in the league against the Houston Texans and allowed over four yards per carry. A week earlier, Buffalo gave up 202 total yards and three touchdowns to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running backs - notably without Bucky Irving.

Pittsburgh may be in a rough spot on offense with questionable quarterback play but the rushing attack should still be potent, especially at home. Either Warren or Gainwell should make for a solid start this week to complement your top pick(s) at the position.

Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Tennessee Titans)

Tuten came back down to earth in Week 12 after a breakout performance against the Chargers in Week 11. A week after tallying 74 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, he managed 17 yards on seven carries. It was Etienne who got the better opportunity against the Cardinals' defense (18 touches for 116 total yards and a touchdown).

Luckily, the Titans' defense is up next for Jacksonville.

Tennessee allowed 136 total yards and a touchdown to the Seahawks' running backs on just 20 touches. Kenneth Walker III tallied 101 yards from scrimmage on just 14 touches. Even if Etienne gets the majority of the work again in Week 13, there's a good shot Tuten should make the most of his touches. He's a good FLEX option if you're struggling to find a good start there this week.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 13 RBs

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (at New England Patriots)

Tracy Jr. proved us wrong against the Lions with a touchdown and 130 total yards on a remarkable 23 touches. Backfield mate Devin Singletary also reached double-digit touches in what was a surprisingly good game for the Giants' offense.

We're confident he won't do that again in Week 13 against the best run defense in the NFL on the road. New England allowed more than 100 yards rushing to an opposing running back group for just the second time all season last week against Cincinnati. At home, we'd expect a better effort from the Patriots' group.

On average, the Patriots are allowing 97 total yards to opposing running back groups per week this season. It'd be a shock if the Giants were the second team to exceed that average in as many weeks. Start Tracy at your own risk.

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at Dallas Cowboys)

On paper, this seems like a good matchup for the Chiefs' running backs. Through Week 12, the Cowboys' defense has allowed 139 total yards per game to opposing running back groups and given up 10 total touchdowns. That's middle-of-the-road this season.

Hunt had a great outing in Week 12 to help power the Chiefs to a crucial win against the Colts. He had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and found the endzone for the fourth week in a row. But Kansas City signed Dameon Pierce this week and Isiah Pacheco is set to return to the lineup on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys.

Dallas' run defense has markedly improved since acquiring Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. Before his arrival, Dallas was allowing 110 rushing yards to running backs per game. With him in the lineup, that's down to 21.5 against the Raiders and Eagles. Even including receiving yards, Dallas is allowing just 64.5 total yards to running back groups with Williams. All of this spells trouble for Hunt in Week 13.

Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota Vikings (at Seattle Seahawks)

Minnesota did as much as they could on the ground to help struggling quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Week 12 and Jones managed just 57 yards on 12 touches. That continues a streak of poor results for the Vikings running back, who has found the end zone just once since returning from injury in Week 8.

This week, Minnesota heads out west for what could be a brutal road game. Seattle boasts one of the best defenses in the league and has been especially stout against running backs in 2025. The Seahawks are giving up just 107 total yards per game to opposing running back groups and have allowed just six total touchdowns in 11 games.

McCarthy may not start this week as he works through concussion protocol, leaving undrafted rookie Max Brosmer to make the start. None of that sounds good for Jones and the Vikings' running game. Avoid starting him if you can.

Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers (at Detroit Lions)

Wilson enjoyed his first 100-yard game in the NFL with an impressive performance in Week 12 against Minnesota. He scored twice and has totaled three touchdowns in his last two games in relief of Josh Jacobs as he deals with a knee injury.

That strong run will likely come to an end in Week 13. Jacobs is set to return to the lineup on Thanksgiving after missing Week 12 and will take the majority of the carries with him.

Even if Wilson gets touches, it'll be against one of the better run defenses in the NFL. Detroit allowed just 77 total yards and a touchdown to the Packers' running backs the first time these teams played each other in Week 1. Best to stash him on the bench this week as insurance for a potential Jacobs injury later this year.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em for Week 13

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 13.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 13 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 13.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em running backs for Week 13 fantasy football

Reporting by Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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