Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running Backs That Must Take a Seat

You know what sucks about running backs in fantasy football?

Nothing. Without running backs, fantasy football wouldn't be nearly as cool. In fact, it probably wouldn't exist. Running backs are pretty awesome like that.

However, some running backs aren't quite as awesome as others. The trick is to weed these guys out and then stash them on your bench before they can inflict damage on your fantasy team.

Beyond Thursday's action, there are four running backs that I think you need to banish to your bench, lest you start them and seal your inevitable doom.

C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

With Fred Jackson out for the rest of the year, now is C.J. Spiller's time to shine.

In other words, the time is now for Spiller to do something he hasn't done yet in his brief career. 

I wouldn't get your hopes up for Spiller as he and the Bills prepare to take on the New York Jets on Sunday. We're talking about a guy who has carried the ball six times for eight yards in the month of November, and we're talking about a Jets defense that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 5.

The Jets also haven't allowed a touchdown to a running back since Week 7. I'd say Spiller is pretty much screwed.

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Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns

Chris Ogbonnaya has been a hell of a surprise in the last two weeks, as he's racked up well over 200 total yards and scored one touchdown. However, it sounds like Ogbonnaya's run may be over. Montario Hardesty is on the mend, and the word around the campfire is that he is going to get the start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals if he is ready to go.

Ogbonnaya will get touches if that's the case, but not quite as many. Expect him to experience a drop-off, and I advise you not to be the guy who gets burned by it.

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Jackie Battle, Kansas City Chiefs

After bursting onto the scene with a breakout performance against the Indianapolis Colts in early October, Jackie Battle's impact in Kansas City's offense has been declining more and more every week.

Things bottomed out for Battle against the New England Patriots on Monday night, as he carried the ball just eight times for 33 yards.

The Chiefs are going to run the ball quite a bit now that Matt Cassel is gone, but it looks like Todd Haley is going to spread the carries around as much as he can. For all intents and purposes, that means Battle's fantasy value is all but nonexistent. 

At least for the time being, anyway.

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Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins

I've been doing these articles for a couple weeks now, and Ryan Torain's name is starting to become a weekly feature in them.

This is partially thanks to Mike Shanahan. Torain has been a non-factor for weeks, yet Shanahan insisted on giving him the start against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Torain struggled again, but you have to keep your eyes on him because he's Washington's starter.

That's the only reason to pay any attention to Torain. Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of making it your excuse to start him this weekend. You'll regret it.

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