Running Backs

Bye Weeks: Arizona, Buffalo, Carolina and Cincinnati, so that means Tim Hightower and Chris Wells, Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and Cedric Benson are all benched.

Always start your studs: Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, and Ray Rice.

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

Ahmad Bradshaw vs. DET
Bradshaw is 4th in the league in rushing, leads the league in 20+ yard runs with 7, has a 4.9 yards per carry average, and 3 TDs. He’s still splitting time with Brandon Jacobs and does have 3 costly fumbles, but he should still do well against the 26th ranked Detroit Lions run defense. The Lions are giving up 133 yards and 1 TD per game, and nearly 5 yards per run. The Giants are on a roll right now and while this could be a “trap game” I still see Bradshaw doing well so keep him in your lineup.

Ryan Torain vs. IND
The newly appointed Redskins starting RB – and really their only option (other than the recently activated from the practice squad RB Keiland Williams) – faces a porous Colts run defense that is giving up 142 yards and 1 TD per game. They’re also allowing nearly 5 yards per run. The Redskins’ running game has been absent most of the year but with a new RB taking on a weak run defense and getting to play at home, the stage is set for Torain to have a big game.

Rashard Mendenhall vs. CLE
Mendenhall is 7th in the league in total rushing yards, but 3rd in yards per game with 103. He gets plenty of touches – 22 per game, which is 3rd highest in the league, 4 TDs, and now gets to run in an offense being led by their starting QB for the first time all year. The Browns are giving up 120 yards per game and the 2nd most big plays on the ground, although they have yet to give up a rushing TD – the only team in the league that can claim that. However, I see Mendenhall wiping that goose egg off the Browns’ stat report this weekend.

LaDainian Tomlinson @ DEN
The Jets’ offseason steal is currently 5th in the league in rushing with 435 yards, 3 TDs, and his 5.7 yards per carry average is behind only Jamaal Charles and Arian Foster. Tomlinson has ruined a lot of fantasy owner’s plans for Shonn Greene with his performance so far, and while it stinks to be those Green owners, Tomlinson owners are smiling and starting him every week. This week should be no different as L.T. takes on the 25th ranked run defense. Denver allows 127 yards and a TD each week on average and I see no reason why L.T. can’t maintain or even increase those averages against the Broncos.

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

Marshawn Lynch @ CHI
The Bears are giving up just 79 yards per game and 3.5 yards per rush in their 3rd ranked run defense and while they have given up 5 TDs and the second most big plays in the league, it shouldn’t be too hard to contain the Seahawks’ newly acquired Marshawn Lynch. Justin Forsett is still the starter and Lynch is just a mild upgrade at backup over Julius Jones (now with the Saints). Lynch will get more action in Seattle than he did in Buffalo, but this is not the week to test him out. Let him get his feet wet in this new offense before considering him for your starting lineup.

Peyton Hillis @ PIT
As a well-known glutton for punishment, I am once again recommending benching Peyton Hillis (I told you to bench him for the Ravens matchup and that didn’t work out so well). But, my faith in the Steelers’ defense, particularly their run defense is much higher than with the struggling Ravens defense. Hillis is 14th in the league in rushing; doesn’t have to contend with Jerome Harrison anymore and has a nasty habit of fumbling. The Steelers give up 62 yards per game, have allowed just 2 TDs all year, hold RBs to a 2.6 yards per carry average, give up just 12.5 points per game, and have allowed exactly 0 big plays. In fact, the Steelers’ run defense hasn’t given up a run longer than 12 yards! I expect to be vindicated this week with a horrible performance by Hillis. Play it safe and bench Hillis this week.

Knowshon Moreno vs. NYJ
This is assuming Moreno plays this week, which is still a possibility for the leagues 49th leading rusher. The Jets’ 4th ranked run defense gives up 79 yards a game and 3.3 yards per carry. They’ve allowed just 1 rushing TD and only 3 big plays all year. They lead the league in allowing the fewest first downs on the ground, allowing that to happen just 15% of the time. Combine these impressive Jets defensive stats with the fact the Broncos will be throwing the ball all day and it only makes sense to bench Moreno… or any other Denver RB this week.

Marion Barber @ MIN
Minnesota, like Baltimore, has been very disappointing in their run defense this year. To date, the Vikings are giving up 104 yards per game, which is about the league average. They’ve only allowed 2 TDs though, and runners just barely average 4 yards per carry against them; not horrible – just underachieving. Barber has 1 TD, 144 yards rushing and a 3.4 yards per carry average. He only gets the ball eleven times per game as splits the RB duties with Felix Jones (also a disappointment this year). The Vikings run defense might not be playing up to par but they have a good chance of picking up the slack this week against the Cowboys.

Wide Receivers