Running Backs

Always start your studs: Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Michael Turner, Rashard Mendenhall, Maurice Jones-Drew, Peyton Hillis, and Darren McFadden.

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

Tim Hightower @ CAR
Carolina’s 25th-ranked run defense allows 133 yards per game and they’ve given up the second-most rushing TDs (17). They give up 4.1 yards a pop, and Hightower is probably salivating over another soft run defense. So far this year Hightower has rushed for 667 yards—or just 51 yards per game—and he has only 5 TDs. Still, he had a huge game last week with 148 yards and 2 TDs and could have a repeat performance this week. Get him in there!

Knowshon Moreno @ OAK
The Raiders are 26th in the league in run defense. They are giving up 133 yards and 1 TD per game, the number of big plays they give up (19) is the most in the league, and their 4.6 ypc allowed is the fifth-highest in the NFL. Moreno is averaging 71 yards per game (15th-most in the league), and against this defense he should increase both that stat and his TD stats (8 on the year), and pay off nicely for you this week.

Ronnie Brown vs. BUF
The Bills continue to have the worst run defense in the league, giving up 166 yards and 1 TD per game. They allow the third-highest yards per carry (4.7), give up the seventh-most big plays (more than 1 per game), and allow the sixth-most points scored per game (26). They might squeak out another win this week, but it won’t be because they stopped the running game of the Dolphins. Brown is averaging 50 yards per game and his 3 TDs lead the team. He’s always a tricky play because of his shared role with Ricky Williams, but against this defense both he and Williams could crack the 100-yard mark, so either is a safe bet against the Bills.

Felix Jones vs. WAS
The Redskins are 28th in the league, giving up 134 yards and 1 TD per game. Their 5 yards per carry allowed is the worst in the NFL, and their 15 big plays given up are the sixth-most in the league. This team is slowly coming apart as the season ends—suspending “Fat Albert” Haynesworth, cutting punter Hunter “Butterfingers” Smith, dealing with injured (and inconsistent) kicker Graham “Wide Right” Gano, and now the rumor of them benching Donovan McNabb for Rex “I’m Still in the NFL?” Grossman doesn’t help. But enough about those Redskins problems; this week they have to face the dynamic Dallas RB Felix Jones. Jones is averaging only 44 yards per game and has just 2 TDs on the year, but he’s as dangerous—if not more dangerous—as a receiver, and he’s been getting more action with Marion Barber out. That trend should continue this week against the porous Washington defense.

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

Shonn Greene @ PIT
Take a look at this, Shonn Greene owners: the Steelers are ranked No. 1 in the NFL in run defense. They lead the league in yards allowed per game (60), fewest big plays allowed (1), yards per carry allowed (2.9), TDs given up (4), and fewest carries allowed per game (21). They give up just 15 points per game—second only to the Packers. So it’s safe to say you should not expect much, if anything, from Greene, especially with the way the Jets offense has been struggling of late. You should definitely bench Greene and his 51 yards per game and 1 TD on the year.

Brian Westbrook @ SD
San Diego’s fourth-ranked run defense gives up just 92 yards per game. Their 3.7 yards per carry average is fourth-best in the league, and their six big plays allowed are the fifth-fewest in the league. They do give up a TD per game, though, so that’s one positive thing for Westbrook. But with the playoffs on the line, I fear the Chargers defense will be firing on all cylinders. And I’d really hesitate in going with Westbrook, despite his decent play the past three weeks (277 total yards and 2 TDs) since taking over for the injured Frank Gore.

Fred Jackson @ MIA
The Dolphins defense shut down the Jets rushing attack last week, and they look to do the same this week against Buffalo’s Fred Jackson. Jackson is averaging 60 yards per game and has 7 TDs on the year. Over the last three weeks he’s still averaged 61 yards per game, but he has 0 TDs. The Dolphins are ranked seventh in the league in run defense, giving up just 99 yards a game. Their 6 rushing TDs allowed are the sixth-fewest, and their 3.6 yards per carry allowed is the third-best in the league. Miami’s playoff hopes, as slim as they are, will keep them focused and should limit Jackson’s productivity on the ground.

Matt Forte @ MIN
The Vikings, even after getting spanked hard by my New York Giants and their rushing attack, are still ranked in the top 10 in run defense. They are allowing 101 yards a game, have given up just 8 TDs on the ground, and hold opposing RBs to under 4 yards per carry. Forte is getting you 60 yards per game and has 8 TDs (5 rushing) on the year but has only 89 yards over the past two weeks. And the fact that he’s playing against the Vikings run defense doesn’t look promising—no matter where the game is played (this week, the University of Minnesota). Both teams are coming off embarrassing loses and looking to prove something, but I think the Minnesota run defense has the edge in this battle.

Wide Receivers