Fantasy Football: Week 15 Running Back Rankings

MIAMI, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- It's time to set your runners loose and bet big on talent this weekend in the fantasy football playoffs.

With several running backs going down to injury last week, you will be faced with tough decisions like: should you start an unproven player with a great opportunity, or if you should just employ a consistent veteran with a high floor?

Do you have the guts to start a guy with big potential, but could end up sinking your squad?

To help you figure out who to sit or start at the position, take a look at my top 30 running backs for Week 15. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

LeSean McCoy is my top ranked running back for Week 15. The Buffalo Bills stud has a dream matchup for the final four of your fantasy football playoffs. The Cleveland Browns are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and McCoy has been scorching lately. The Bills speedster has at least 100 yards from scrimmage and/or a touchdown in five straight games. Last week he had 108 yards from scrimmage and a score on 18 touches in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I expect more of the same this week from the multifaceted runner.

Devonta Freeman is a top-5 option at the position with a battle against the San Francisco 49ers. The Atlanta Falcons running back is facing a unit allowing the most fantasy points to the position. San Francisco has also allowed a league-high 22 touchdowns to the position. With Freeman's ability to catch and run, I like his chances to score in this spot. Although Freeman put up a dud in Week 14, I wouldn't second guess starting him here. Freeman has four scores in his last three games and nine touchdowns on the year.

SNEAKY PLAYS

49ers running back Carlos Hyde is an RB1 this week with a matchup against the Falcons. The Falcons are tied for allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Hyde, a bright spot on an ugly 49ers roster, erupted for 193 yards on 17 carries in Week 14. He now has at least 98 yards from scrimmage and/or a touchdown in four consecutive games.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is facing the team tied with the Falcons for allowing the third-most points to the position, with a battle against the Washington Redskins. Stewart experienced heavy usage last week, with 24 carries. I expect that workload to remain heavy against the Redskins. That should put him in RB2 consideration.

LONGSHOTS

Jeremy Hill will be leaned on heavily in the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 16 test against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are tied for allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Hill is a high-end RB2 in that matchup and has scored in two consecutive contests.

I like San Diego Chargers rookie running back Kenneth Farrow as a borderline RB2 this week with a matchup against the Oakland Raiders. The Colts are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs. Farrow had 78 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches last week against the Panthers. I expect him to see plenty of touches again this week.