Running Backs

Always start your studs: Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Michael Turner, Rashard Mendenhall, Ray Rice, Frank Gore, and Ahmad Bradshaw.

Bye Weeks: Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers, so that means Brandon Jackson, Chris Ivory, Darren McFadden, Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert are all benched.

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

Jamaal Charles @ DEN
The Broncos 31st-ranked run defense is one of just two teams to allow more than 150 yards rushing per game (155). They’re also one of only two teams to allow 10 or more TDs (a league-worst 14). They allow the fifth-most yards per rush (4.6), lead the league in giving up 40-plus yard runs, and have given up the second-most big plays overall. Charles gets you 90 yards a game on just 14 carries, for a league-leading 6.4 average. He doesn’t get you a TD, which is a killer, but still, you have to play the fourth-leading rusher in the NFL, especially against Denver.

Mike Goodson @ TB
The Bucs run defense sure didn’t help itself with last week’s performance against Atlanta. They are now the 30th-ranked run defense, giving up 147 yards and 1 TD per game on average—all at 5 yards a pop. Goodson is the starter by default this week, with DeAngelo Williams missing the last two weeks and now with Jonathan Stewart hurt. Things are not looking good for Carolina with Clausen as their quarterback the rest of the way (Moore’s on IR) and two stud running backs (although not so much this year) hurting, but with Tampa’s terrible run defense, Goodson could be a nice surprise play this week.

Jahvid Best @ BUF
The Lions running game has got to do better, especially with Drew Stanton leading them now. And if they can’t improve this week against the worst run defense in the league, they’re hopeless. Best is only good for 43 yards a game on 3.2 yards per carry and was horrible last week against the Jets, but between his added value receiving and his opponent—the NFL’s 32nd-ranked run defense—his play this week should be reminiscent of his first couple games this year before he fizzled out. The Bills give up 178 yards and a TD per game. They give up 25 more yards than the next-to-worst team, which equals two points in most fantasy formats.

Cedric Benson @ IND
The Colts run defense was torched in Week 1, and things haven’t gotten much better for them. They’re still 29th in the league in run defense and give up 141 yards and a TD per game. They give up the sixth-most big plays and are last in the league in yards per run allowed (5.1). Benson is good for 75 yards per game, and although he struggles to score, he did get a rushing TD (just his third of the year) last week against the mighty Steelers run defense. He only averages 3.7 ypc, but that average is likely to increase with a big game against the Colts this week—if Carson Palmer and Terrell Owens decide to share the ball with the rest of the offense.

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

Peyton Hillis vs. NYJ
I know I’m asking for trouble with this one, especially since Hillis is coming off a 29-carry, 184-yard, 2-TD performance against the Patriots. But the Jets run defense is fourth in the league, giving up just 87 yards a game and only 3 TDs all year. They have the second-lowest ypc allowed (3.3), lead the league in fumble recoveries, and only give up 2 TDs per game on average. Hillis averages 81 yards and a TD, and could still get you the TD this week, but he may also struggle all day against the Jets defense.

Matt Forte vs. MIN
Forte is 21st in the league in rushing yards as a full-time starter who has played in every game this year. He averages 50 yards a game on 3.9 yards per carry and has only 3 TDs all year. His value really comes as a receiver out of the backfield, where his stats almost the same as his rushing stats. The Vikings run defense is seventh in the league and gives up 96 yards per game at just 3.8 ypc. They do not give up big runs and allow just less than 1 TD per game on average. Who the heck knows what the Bears offense will do week-in and week-out, but it’s pretty safe to say Forte will not get you starting RB points most weeks, and certainly not this week against a surging Minnesota team.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ PIT
BJGE is just about on par with the Steelers’ first-ranked run defense as far as yardage averages go. Pittsburgh allows 58 rushing yards per game, and BJGE averages 48 yards. He does have 6 TDs to his credit, but Pittsburgh has only allowed 3 rushing scores all year. His 4.1 ypc is average, but the Steelers only allow a league-leading 2.6 ypc. BJGE beat up on the Vikings stout run defense two weeks ago with 112 yards and 2 TDs and a 6.6 ypc average; but in the game before that one he had just 24 yards at 2.2 ypc, and last week he managed only 14 yards at 1.6 ypc. I’m thinking he winds up with stats more like the two games surrounding his big Minnesota week. In that case, he should be on the bench.

Marion Barber @ NYG
So, the Cowboys have a new head coach in their offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett. Think this will spark the Cowboys, and all of a sudden the 31st-ranked rushing offense clicks? Me neither. Barber is still sharing the backfield with Felix Jones, working with a backup quarterback in a pass-happy offense, and playing on a team that quit weeks ago. He’s only good for 26 yards a game and 3 ypc on a good day, so this week in New York against the NFL’s second-ranked run defense Barber should be held in check. The Giants give up 81 yards and half a TD per game on average. They allow just 3.5 ypc and do not give up big plays. While I am nervous about the Giants getting caught with their pants down in this game, I’m not worried about the running game hurting them—just Dez Bryant and that passing game.

Wide Receivers