Week 12 was a huge day for running backs, with eight different backs going over 100 yards and Joe Mixon topping them all with 165 yards against the Steelers. The most unlikely of the 100-yard backs was Dontrell Hilliard of the Titans, who, before his 121 yards on ten carries, had a total of 142 career yards on 31 carries.
So what should we look for on the ground in Week 13?
All odds courtesy of BetPrep updated 10:00 AM Eastern on Dec. 2.
Jonathan Taylor vs. Houston Texans
The Prop: Jonathan Taylor Rushing Yards
The Odds: Over 103.5 yards (-116)/Under 103.5 yards (-114)
It is the largest rushing over/under of the week, and usually, you’d want to steer clear of 100 yards or higher. But Jonathan Taylor is not your normal back, and he’s not having a normal season. Even last week, when the Colts’ offense was largely ignored for a half, he still went for 83 yards.
Before that, he’d rushed for more than 100 yards in six of eight weeks, including totals of 145, 172, and 185. That 145-yard rushing game came in Week 6 against this same Texans defense.
If anyone is a safe bet to go off this weekend, it’s Taylor.
Joe Mixon vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Prop: Joe Mixon Rushing Yards
The Odds: Over 92.5 yards (-118)/Under 92.5 yards (-114)
Ja’Marr Chase has a great rookie season, and Joe Burrow looks like a deserved number one overall draft pick. But this Cincinnati offense leans on running back Joe Mixon, and he’s been delivering.
Retweet to congratulate your AFC Offensive Player of the Week, @Joe_MainMixon! #ProBowlVote + Joe Mixon pic.twitter.com/yV4YkpsMzJ
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 1, 2021
Mixon has gone for 90 yards or more in five games this season, all wins. In the last two weeks, he rushed for 123 yards and 165 yards, both dominating wins. And now he gets to play against the very worst team in the league at stopping the run.
Last week against L.A., Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams combined for 137 yards. Dalvin Cook went for 94. Nick Chubb, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Tony Pollard all went over 100. Look for a huge day from Mixon.
Najee Harris vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Prop: Najee Harris Rushing Yards
The Odds: Over 67.5 yards (-114)/Under 67.5 yards (-116)
In the surprising stat of the week, despite a drop-off in the Ravens defense this season, there is only one running back to go for at least 60 yards against Baltimore – Dalvin Cook, who had 110 yards in Week 9.
Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor, Joe Mixon, and Nick Chubb failed to make it out of the 50s.
The Ravens have the second-best defense in the NFL against the run, and the best backs in the league have all experienced it first-hand.
Najee Harris is a workhorse, and he has the most rushing yards of any rookie this year. But even that has him at just 64.4 yards rushing per game.
Against Baltimore, he has very little chance to get over 67.
