Running Backs

Bye Weeks: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, N.Y. Giants, and Philadelphia, so that means Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, Matt Forte, Peyton Hillis, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, and LeSean McCoy 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 Providing Treats in Week 8

Jamaal Charles vs. BUF
Thomas Jones led the team with 125 yards last week against a horrible Jacksonville defense, so this week it’s Charles’ turn to pad the stats against a horrible defense; in fact the worst defense in the league giving up 33 points per game and 175 yards rushing per game. Buffalo has allowed the 3rd most rushing TDs and the 7th most big plays through seven weeks. Charles is 13th in the NFL in rushing yards with 489 and has 2 TDs. The only reason he’s not an elite back is because he has to share the load with Jones. It’s hard to decide which of these RBs will be “the guy” from week to week but I like Charles for a big game.

Chris Wells vs. TB
How the Arizona Cardinals are winning games is beyond me. Beanie Wells has been a huge bust this year – huge. He may be turning a corner however; in week 5 he averaged 1.8 ypc in racking up 35 yards, but last week (he had a bye in week 6) he averaged 3.9 ypc for just 54 yards but did have a TD, and that was against the 2nd best run defense in the NFL (Seattle). This week he faces the Buccaneers who rank 31st in the league in run defense, giving up 158 yards per game and a league leading 5.3 yards per carry. Rookie QB Max Hall is 50/50 to play this week but no matter who starts at QB the Cards will need to take advantage of the porous Tampa Bay run defense, making Beanie Wells a good play.

Marshawn Lynch @ OAK
As a Seahawk, Lynch has amassed just 133 yards and a 3.2 ypc average to go with his 1 TD. But last week he was their leading rusher with 89 yards against an almost identically ranked run defense in Arizona. Oakland is 28th in the league giving up 139 yards and a TD on the ground each week. With another week to settle into the system Lynch should produce similar if not better numbers. It might be time to keep an eye out for Lynch.

Ryan Torain @ DET
After two starts Ryan Torain is already 19th in the league in rushing yards with 381. He’s plowing along at an average of 4.6 ypc and has 3 TDs. The Redskins have been a passing team this year but if Torain can get the ball more than the 16 times per game he’s currently getting he could be a force to reckon with in D.C. This week he gets another pansy after a tough matchup against the Bears last week. The pansy is the 27th ranked Detroit Lions. They give up 139 yards and a TD per game, plus almost 5 yards per carry. Torain should continue his rise up the charts with another big week in Detroit – even if the Redskins lose the game.

Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Playing Tricks on You in Week 8

Fred Jackson @ KC
Jackson averages 39 yards per game and has just 1 TD all year. Granted, a lot of his stats were restricted by Marshawn Lynch, who’s now gone, and he did manage 73 yards against the Ravens last week – but these Ravens aren’t the same dominating Ravens of years past. The Chiefs give up 90 yards per game, less than a TD per game, only 3.7 ypc, haven’t allowed a run over 38 yards, and they force fumbles. I expect Jackson to struggle against the 6th ranked run defense of the Chiefs this week and he’s useless in the passing game sp feel free to keep him on your bench.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. MIN
BenJarvus only gets 11 carries a game and averages 3.8 ypc. He does have 4 TDs but he’s losing playing time to Danny Woodhead, who now gets the ball 8 times a game on the ground, and Green-Ellis is non-existent in the passing game. Throw in the Vikings and their 11th ranked run defense (99 yards per game) and if you haven’t already, it’s a good time to sit BGE.

Chris Ivory vs. PIT
Even if Reggie Bush doesn’t make it back, Chris Ivory is not likely to be a good option for you despite his 5.5 ypc average. He’s only averaging 65 yards per game and he has 0 TDs. He’s still sharing time with Betts, but most importantly he faces Pittsburgh’s #1 ranked run defense. The Steelers are giving up just 64 yards a game and only 2.8 yards per run. They’ve allowed only 2 rushing TDs and no runs over 14 yards. Overall, they give up less than 14 points per game so bench Ivory this week if possible.

Brandon Jackson @ NYJ
Jackson is 20th in the league with 363 rushing yards, but 115 of those came in one game, and that total was boosted by one 71-yard run so his 4.5 ypc average doesn’t impress me. His 52 yards per game average is more telling, as is his 2 TDs. He has a little extra pop in PPR leagues but not enough to play him against the Jets 7th ranked run defense. New York gives up 90 yards per game, only 3.5 ypc, just 2 TDs and is second in the league in fumble recoveries with six.

Wide Receivers