Running Backs

Always start your studs: Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Michael Turner, Rashard Mendenhall, Maurice Jones-Drew, Peyton Hillis, and Darren McFadden.

Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Steven Jackson @ DEN
Jackson is flying under the radar this year as the Rams continue their rebuilding process, but he’s still 9th in the league in rushing yards per game with 81. The biggest problem is his lack of TDs – just three for the season. But this week he takes on the 31st ranked Denver run defense that gives up 144 yards per game and has allowed 15 TDs – the most in the league. Jackson has just 194 yards and 1 TD over his last three games (65 yards per game) but the matchup is right for impressive numbers and you don’t want to miss out on them.

Mike Tolbert @ IND
I told you that Tolbert was a good start last week and all he did was rush for a career high 25 carries, 111 yards, plus he added a TD and 42 yards receiving. This was done against the next-to-last run defense of the Denver Broncos, but this week he gets another soft run defense in the Colts. Indy gives up 137 yards and a TD on the ground each week, ranking them 30th in the NFL. While I doubt Tolbert will have another career day this week, he should make for another solid start and improve his 51 yards per game average and add to his 8 rushing TDs on the year.

Frank Gore @ ARI
Gore has managed to remain a stud RB this year despite the 49ers’ troubles. He’s 11th in the league with 80 yards per game, and although he only has 3 rushing TDs he has another 2 TDs receiving to go along with his nearly 500 yards on 46 receptions. This week he faces the 28th ranked Cardinals run defense. Arizona is giving up 135 yards a game, have allowed the 2nd most rushing TDs in the league (12) and have also allowed the 2nd most big runs of 20+ yards. Whether it’s Alex or Troy QB’ing the team, Gore should make for a nice play this week.

Ray Rice vs. TB
Fresh off of removing him from the “must start” list, Rice faces the Buccaneers and their 29th ranked run defense, which earns him a start recommendation. He’s 14th in the league with 73 yards per game and while he’s giving you some nice points in receptions and receiving yards he has no TDs receiving, leaving him with just 3 total TDs for the year. The Buccaneers allow 137 yards and 1 TD per game on average and Rice could be in line for his 2nd 100-yard game of the year and possibly another elusive TD.

Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Fred Jackson vs. PIT
Jackson, like his team the Buffalo Bills, has gone off the last two weeks, rushing for 116 yards and 2 TDs and 133 yards and 2 TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving) the week before. But keep in mind this was against the 26th and 23rd ranked run defenses, plus he’s fumbled 3 times, losing 2 in the last 3 weeks and is only averaging 56 yards a game on the year. Three of his five rushing TDs have come in the last two weeks and this week he takes on the league’s #1 rush defense that gives up just 63 yards a game, 2.9 yards per carry, only 1 run over 20 yards all year (none over 24 yards) and just 4 TDs on the season (3rd lowest total in the league). I like what he’s done the last couple of weeks but this is probably a game you want to put him back on the bench.

LeSean McCoy @ CHI
McCoy is averaging 73 yards a game and has 6 TDs on the year. Last week he made the 3rd ranked Giants run defense look silly as he rushed for 111 yards and a TD on 14 carries (most of it on the 50-yard TD run on 4th-and-1). He’s dangerous out of the backfield as well, ranking 16th in the league with 51 receptions. This week he faces the 2nd ranked run defense of the Chicago Bears. Chicago gives up just 78 yards a game, although they do allow a TD per game (9 on the year, which is the 8th most in the league) and a 20+ yard run per game. Still, they only allow 3.5 ypc and lead the league in strips and fumble recoveries (9) so they will likely prove to be a tougher opponent than McCoy has faced all year and this might be a good time to skip a week with LeSean.

Maurice Morris vs. NE
With oft-injured RB Kevin Smith out for the season yet again, and rookie RB Jahvid Best continuing to deal with injuries to his ankles, feet and toes, the Lions are left with FB Jerome Felton and journeyman RB “Mo Mo”. The Patriots’ run defense is average, giving up 109 yards and just under 1 TD per game, but since their whipping at the hands of the Browns three weeks ago (where they allowed 184 yards to Peyton Hillis and 4 rushing TDs) they’ve allowed 76 yards and 71 yards and no TDs in their last two games. Look for this trend to continue against the injury-riddled RBs of Detroit. Even if Best does play this week, he should be benched too.

Cedric Benson @ NYJ
Benson is currently 13th in the league with 75 yards a game on the ground and coming off a 125-yard, 1 TD rushing performance against the Bills last week. The key here is that performance was against the Bills – the 32nd ranked rushing defense in the league. This week Benson takes on the 5th ranked rushing defense of the New York Jets. The Jets give up just 90 yards per game and only 6 TDs on the year. They are second in ypc at 3.5, third in big plays allowed with just 4, and tied for first in fumble recoveries with 9. Benson has fumbled twice (and lost both) in the last two weeks. The Bengals are on a downward spiral and although the Jets are struggling and squeaking out wins, their defense remains steadfast. Expect Benson to give you a similar output to what he did against Pittsburgh two weeks ago – 54 yards, which in my book means you avoid the guy.

Wide Receivers