Running Backs

Bye Weeks: Dallas, Kansas City, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, so that means Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice, Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, and Cadillac Williams are all benched.

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

Brandon Jackson vs. DET
Since Ryan Grant’s injury Brandon Jackson was picked up in more leagues than anyone else except for Michael Vick, but he’s done little to justify his quick promotion to fantasy starter. So far he’s rushed for just 1 TD, 104 yards, and a measly 2.9 yards per carry average – one of just four starting RBs in the league averaging less than 3 yards per carry. FB John Kuhn is almost a better bet at this point. But along comes the Lions and their 32nd ranked run defense. Detroit is allowing 149 yards per game, which is most in the league, they’ve allowed 5 TDs, which is tied for most in the league and they give up 5 yards per carry on average, which is third worst in the league. With Green Bay coming off an ugly loss to Chicago I look for the entire offense to take it out on the Lions.

LaDainian Tomlinson @ BUF
He’s done! He’s washed up! He should retire and not embarrass himself! Very few people are saying this anymore about L.T. after his big day last weekend. He’s got 208 yards rushing, 1 TD, 3 runs over 20+ yards, is averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and is keeping Shonn Greene on the sidelines. The Bills’ 27th ranked run defense gives up 141 yards per game, is tied for last in rushing TDs allowed (5) and is tied with San Francisco for giving up the most points per game (29). There should be lots of scoring by the Jets in this matchup and right now L.T., not Shonn Greene is “the man”.

Arian Foster @ OAK
Foster is still (barely) the league’s leading rusher and the only RB with over 400 yards on the ground. However, 231 of those yards were in Week 4, as were his only TDs of the year. Since then he’s rushed for 69 yards and 106 yards with no TDs and a lost fumble. Foster is averaging 135 yards per game and the Oakland defense is giving up an average of 133 yards per game. That looks like a good matchup to me. After “struggling” the last two weeks I look for Foster to have a big day and finally get back in the end zone.

Ryan Mathews vs. ARI
The rookie RB is expected back this week but his workload is still in question with Mike Tolbert there to eat up his carries. Mathews says he’s fine and his return comes against the 31st ranked run defense (and 26th ranked overall defense) in the league. A defense allowing 146 yards a game. Only the Giants and Panthers have been run against more, so even with Tolbert in the mix there looks like plenty of carries and yardage to go around. I say Mathews finally breaks off a run longer than 15 yards, totals 80+ yards with a TD and doesn’t lose another fumble (2 lost fumbles in 2 games for the rookie).

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

Ahmad Bradshaw vs. CHI
The Chicago Bears are giving up a ridiculously low 39.7 yards per game on the ground. As you can imagine this leads the league, as does their 2.1 yards per carry average. Teams run less against the Bears than any other team except for the Texans. Chicago has averaged giving up a TD a game so that’s something to watch, but with their 14th ranked rushing offense and the fact starting center Shaun O’Hara is likely out again, makes me hesitant to recommend Bradshaw this week.

Darren McFadden vs. HOU
The Texans are the 31st ranked defense in the league, but they’re #2 against the run behind only Chicago. That tells you how bad their pass defense has been. Marion Barber and Felix Jones had a combined 98 yards rushing last week, the Redskins ran for 18 total yards the week before while Indy managed just 44 yards in Week 4. McFadden comes in second in the league in rush attempts, third in yardage, but has just 1 rushing TD and his yards per carry average has decreased each week. Can the Texans really stop him? I say yes as the threat of Gradkowski isn’t the same as Peyton, McNabb or Romo.

Marshawn Lynch vs. NYJ
While the Jets’ pass defense currently leaves something to be desired, their run defense is stout, giving up 62 yards per game (4th best in the NFL) and the second lowest yards per carry average (2.4). Lynch may be the Bills starting RB right now but he’s yet to rush for 80 yards in a game and has no TDs. After this week the Bills might be more amenable to giving rookie C.J. Spiller another shot at the starting job.

Clinton Portis @ PHI
Could Portis’ days in Washington be numbered? He almost certainly won’t be back next year and while they won’t cut him now, a changing of the guard from Portis to Ryan Torain, may begin this weekend. Philly gives up 126 yards and 1 TD per game, but Portis will likely not be involved much. He has a wrist injury and is still in the doghouse for “flopping” last week instead of getting tackled and risking a fumble (his words, not mine). Watch Ryan Torain run the ball except for passing situations where Portis’ blocking is still an asset. There’s too much uncertainty around Portis right now to have him in your lineup.

Wide Receivers