Running Backs

Bye Weeks: Denver, Jacksonville, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tennessee, and Washington, so that means Knowshon Moreno, Maurice Jones-Drew, Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, and Ryan Torain 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

LaDainian Tomlinson @ DET
The Lions 27th ranked run defense gives up 130 yards per game, They also allow the 3rd most rushing TDs, give up at least 1 big play per game, and allow the 3rd highest yards per carry average at 4.9. LT is averaging only 78 yards per game, but has the 6th most big runs, has a 5 yards per carry average (4th best in the league for starters), and has 5 TDs. In the 3 weeks before the GB game he had 133 yards and 2 TDs, 94 yards rushing, and 55 yards receiving with 2 more TDs. Look for those numbers to return this week against Detroit.

Michael Turner vs. TB
Tampa Bay sports the 30th ranked run defense in the league and gives up 149 yards per game. They give up 1 big play a game and allow the most yards per rush in the NFL. Michael Turner is 10th in the league, averaging 84 yards and 1 big play per game, and has a 4.5 yards per carry average to go against Tampa's league-worst 5.2 ypc allowed. He's only got 3 TDs but if the Falcons deep passing game doesn't get them into the end zone this week, Turner will.

Matt Forte, do sumthin!

Matt Forte @ BUF
The Buffalo Bills have the worst run defense in the league. They give up almost 200 yards per game on the ground (189)! They allow over 1 TD and over 1 big play per game on average and have the 2nd worst ypc allowed at 5.0. If the struggling Bears running game is ever gonna do something, this is the week. So, roll the dice and ride Forte and his 50 yards per game average to a big payday . Plus, you'll still get his “extra” points from the receiving game.

LeSean McCoy vs. IND
After struggling on the ground in Weeks 6 & 7, McCoy has got to be licking his lips for this week's matchup against the 28th ranked run defense of the Colts. On average the Colts give up 133 yards and 1 TD per game, as well as the 3rd most ypc at 4.9. McCoy is 16th in the league with 68 yards per game and is always good for receiving yardage. This should be a big week for McCoy so get him in there and reap the benefits.

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

Jahvid Best vs. NYJ
The Jets 4th ranked run defense gives up just 89 yards a game. They've allowed the 2nd fewest TDs (2 all year), and give up the 2nd fewest points a game (15.7). They also cause a lot of fumbles and average a fumble recovery per game. Rookie RB Jahvid Best isn't even in the top 40 in rushing yards per game – averaging just 42; and his pathetic 3.3 ypc average isn't helping anyone. He may have started hot but he's certainly fizzled and there's very little chance of him breaking out of his slump this week.

Fred Jackson vs. CHI
On the year Jackson is averaging 4 ypc, which is good, but he only has 1 TD and averages just 41 yards per game, which is not so good. Since the Marshawn Lynch trade, he's doing better, averaging 70 yards per game but still isn't scoring or useful out of the backfield. This week he gets to test the Bears and their 5th ranked run defense. They give up just 89 yards per game and just 3.6 ypc (5th best in the league). They do give up 1 TD per game and too many big plays but they also lead the league in fumble recoveries to help make up for those big plays. Jackson is capable of breaking a long run against them but for the most part you want to stay away from him this week.

Marshawn Lynch vs. NYG
The Seahawks had big plans for Lynch but his 47 yards per game, 1 TD, and league low 2.8 ypc (yes, 2.8, that's not a typo), just aren't cutting it. And as if things weren't bad enough for Lynch and Seattle, they have to run against the Giants and their 3rd ranked run defense. New York gives up just 84 yards per game and averages ˝ a TD allowed per game, and their 3.5 ypc allowed is 2nd best in the league. This is not a good matchup for Lynch, although no matchups have really been good for him this year.

Cedric Benson vs. PIT
Benson is 12th in the league with 78 yards per game, buthas just 2 TDs and is only averaging 3.8 ypc. He only has 1 run over 20 yards all season and is struggling with fumbles. Pittsburgh, the #1 run defense in the league, is giving up a ridiculous 59 yards per game, and just 2.6 ypc - also best in the league. They've allowed only 2 TDs all year and still haven't given up a big play (the only team in the league not to). The longest run against them this year has been 14 yards, and as a team they allow a league best 14.6 points per game. Something tells me you shouldn't play Benson this week.

Wide Receivers