Volume of work and matchups are the biggest factors I personally look at when determining running backs to play. Look at the guys in this list. All of them are workhorses, which certainly keeps their value afloat, and a good matchup never hurt anything either. You can’t go wrong with any of these guys and in case you need to be reassured, you should feel pretty damn good if one, or more, happens to be in your league.

Here are the top 5 running backs for Week 13 of the NFL season.

David Johnson vs. WSH

The Redskins are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. Sure, he dislocated his finger in the team’s last game, but as long as he is on the field, he’s as reliable as they come. He’s tallied at least 100 total yards in every single game this season, as if you needed more reason to play him.

Le'Veon Bell vs. NYG

Giants are a little better than league average against opposing running backs, but Le’Veon Bell is easily the best back they’ve seen since facing Ezekiel Elliott in Week 1. Bell is doing it in both facets of the Pittsburgh offense, giving him an extremely high fantasy floor. Since his return, he’s averaging 26 touches per game, giving him luxury RB1 status.

LeSean McCoy @ OAK

A finger injury won’t keep him down. He sucked in the first half against Jacksonville, but a 75-yard touchdown scamper opened the flood gates. The Raiders have been pretty generous to opposing running backs this season and given Buffalo’s run first and run second mentality, Shady is a RB1 in Week 13.

Ezekiel Elliott @ MIN

The Vikings have allowed 100 or more rushing yards to opposing running backs three times all season, but the fact is that three of those have occurred in the past five weeks. In fact, they’ve allowed 95 or more in five of the last six. Zeke is playing at another level this season and Minnesota will have a hard time bringing him down. 100 rushing yards is Zeke’s floor this week.

Melvin Gordon vs. TB

Gordon is a workhorse out in San Diego and his 54 red zone touches lead the National Football League. He racks up the yards, he continues to get targets and he’s one of the safest bets to find the end zone on a weekly basis. There’s only been three games all season in which he hasn’t scored. He’s a RB1, folks.

Be sure to check out the rest of the NFL Week 13 Fantasy Football Player Rankings right here at Fantasy Alarm.