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Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
DeAngelo Williams @ GB
Williams has 4 straight 100-yard games and has scored at least
1 TD in 5 straight games and 6 of his last 7. Not bad for a guy
who many predicted would be outshined by Jonathan Stewart. His
strong play should continue against a Packers squad that allows
opposing RBs 142.9 YPG.
Justin Fargas vs. KC
Surprisingly, it took Fargie until Week 12 to get his first 100-yard
game of the season (and his first touchdown), but being injured
in the early going and playing on a crappy team will do that to
you. He should get at least 2 carries to McFadden’s 1 this
week against a Chiefs team who simply cannot stop opposing RBs.
KC gave up 300 yards on the ground to Oakland in Week 2 - Fargas
piled up 43 of them until he got hurt.
Marshawn Lynch vs. SF
I like the matchup this week for the man with the Fort Knox smile.
Although Lynch’s 3.8 YPC is second-worst among the top 15
RBs in the NFL, he gets the bulk of the carries in an offense
that should put some points on the board this week. He gets a
bigger bump in PPR leagues as he has 42 catches on the season,
3rd highest among NFL RBs.
Larry Johnson @ OAK
LJ received a team-leading 7 carries last week as the Chiefs abandoned
the run once they fell behind in the game. Things should be different
this week against the Raiders who allow a sloppy 160 YPG on the
ground. LJ will get the majority of the carries should be the
focal point of the offense. Expect him to post good numbers against
a bad Raiders rush D.
Thomas Jones vs. DEN
TJ’s second year with the Jets has resulted in his best
season as a pro. Last week he came within 4 yards of his 3rd consecutive
100-yard game – but more impressive are the 7 TDs in his
last 5 games. Jones needs to be in your line up against a Broncos
team that has allowed opposing RBs 144.5 YPG and 15 TDs on the
ground this season.
Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Mewelde Moore / Willie Parker @ NE
Willie is iffy with knee swelling and it is likely that Moore
will start, but neither makes a strong play against New England.
After allowing Ronnie Brown to score 4 rushing TDs in Week 3,
the Patriots have clamped down and allowed only 2 TDs on the ground
and 2 teams to rush for 100 yards in their last 8 games. Also
of note: Gary
Russell vultured a TD away from Mewelde last week against
the Bengals.
Pierre Thomas @ TB
The Saints shredded the Pack at home - where they are 5-1. They
are 1-4 on the road – the one road win came against the
lowly Chiefs. Reggie Bush will retain his feature role if he is
healthy enough to play, which will limit Pierre’s role in
the offense, but most notable this week is the fact that the Buccaneers
have allowed just 1 rushing TD this season.
Clinton Portis vs. NYG
I really can’t suggest you bench the NFL’s rushing
leader unless you have no-brainer alternatives, but you need to
be realistic with your expectations. The Giants have only allowed
6 TDs on the ground and Portis hasn’t scored a touchdown
in his last 4 games (despite two 100-yard games in that span).
If the Skins trail early you can expect totals similar to the
13 carry, 51 yard effort against the Steelers in Week 9.
Jamal Lewis vs. IND
Indy has been beatable on the ground this season, but their rush
D has improved as the season has progressed. Jamal has not gone
over 65 yards in any of his past 4 contests with just 1 TD in
that span. At this stage of his career, it looks like Lewis needs
to be on a good team that is protecting leads late in games order
to produce. In limited playing time Jerome Harrison looks actually
looks like the best Cleveland running back.
Ravens RBs @ CIN
The Ravens have had a different RB (McClain, Rice, McGahee) lead
the team in rushing each of the last 3 weeks. While they appear
to be content ‘riding the hot hand,’ this type of
coaching spells trouble for fantasy owners. Even if you can make
sense of which back will get the bulk of the carries, the Bengals
have elevated their game defensively (sounds crazy doesn’t
it?) in recent weeks and held some of the league’s better
RBs in check.
Wide Receivers
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