|
Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Matt Forte @ STL
Forte has emerged as a workhorse – he accounts for 33.9%
of the Bears offensive production this season, good for 4th in
the NFL. He’s got a juicy matchup against a brutal Rams
defense that has served up an NFL-high 18 TDs on the ground and
158.4 rushing YPG. If you have Forte on your roster he must be
in your lineup this week.
Jamal Lewis vs. HOU
There are whispers that Jamal has lost a step after a few dull
outings, but the Texans are in town which will help silence critics
– if only for this week. Houston has got a problem: their defense
has given up 493 yards rushing in its last 3 games; and they have
allowed 15 TDs on the ground - the 4th highest total in the NFL.
Last week Joseph Addai finally notched his first 100-yard game
of the season – against whom else but the Texans. Jamal is in
line for a solid game this week.
Marshawn Lynch @ KC
Marshawn is coming off one of the best games of his career that
saw him rush for 119 yards (his first 100-yard game of the season);
he also caught a career-high 10 balls for 58 yards – and the first
receiving TD of his career. In light of Trent Edwards crapping
the bed in recent weeks, Marshawn and the Bills rush attack must
be salivating over this week’s matchup against the Chiefs. Kansas
City simply can’t stop opposing RBs, allowing 165.4 rushing YPG
and 15 TDs on the season.
Ryan Grant @ NO
After a less-than-stellar start to the season, Grant seems to
have turned it around, totaling 411 yards rushing, 4.5 YPC and
3 TDs in his last 4 games - against some of the better rush defenses
in the league. He had a season-best 145 yards rushing last week
against the Bears. The Saints have only given up 5 TDs on the
ground, but Grant will continue to see a heavy workload and should
be presented with TD opportunities in what could be a high-scoring
Monday Night game.
Warrick Dunn @ DET
Dunn makes for a great play this week as he figures to see an
expanded role in the wake of the season-ending injury to backfield
mate Earnest Graham. Cadillac Williams is not a factor yet and
it remains to be seen how much he can handle, so for the time
being Dunn should get the majority of the carries (although BJ
Askew should get the goal line work). This week he faces a Lions
defense that has given up an average of 171.5 YPG on the ground,
the worst in the NFL. Only the Rams (18) have given up more rushing
TDs than Detroit (17).
Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Tim Hightower vs. NYG
In his last 2 games, Hightower has gained 57 yards on 24 carries
with 0 TDs. He has a nose for the endzone (7 TDs), but his 3.1
YPC leaves a lot to be desired; heck, even the ostracized “Edge”
averages 3.5 YPC. Last week, it was J.J. “Don’t-call-me-LaVar”
Arrington that was the best Cardinal running back, racking up
40 yards and 2 scores on just 8 carries. The defending champs
haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher this season and have only
allowed 4 TDs on the ground. Time to lower your expectations for
Hightower.
Kevin Smith vs. TB
After a somewhat uninspiring start to his career which included
talk of losing playing time to Rudi Johnson, Smith rebounded and
has been a good play lately. I drafted this guy and now can see
that I jumped the gun when I gave up on him, but had he still
been on my roster I would be benching him this week against a
Bucs defense that has allowed just one rushing TD this season.
Next.
Ronnie Brown vs. NE
I haven’t forgotten what Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. did to the Pats
in Week 3 (122 total yards, 4 rushing TDs, 1 passing TD), and
I can’t imagine that HC Bill Belichick has either. Since that
game in September, the Patriots have only given up 1 TD on the
ground (Thomas Jones – last week) and will be looking to choke
the ‘Fins on Sunday. Because of their defensive-minded coach,
I like their chances for redemption.
Chris Johnson
vs. NYJ
I’m taking my own advice and sitting the rookie speedster
against Gang Green. As much as I would like to “lap-track”
this game and watch Johnson rack up fantasy points, my gut is
telling me I would be doing so in vain. He is now consistently
facing 8 (and 9) man fronts and the Jets have one of the best
rush defenses in the league. This move is temporary; with nice
matchups looming, he’ll be back in our lineups the next
three weeks.
Brian Westbrook @ BAL
Pass-happy HC Andy Reid says he will play, but it doesn’t
make sense for you to deploy the clearly hobbled Westy against
a tough Ravens D. Despite the Giants 207 yards on the ground and
Jacobs two scores last week, Baltimore still only allows an average
of 79.6 rushing YPG and has given up just 3 rushing TDs this season.
Westbrook has been held out of the endzone for three straight
games and has just one 100-yard effort in 2008.
Patriot RBs @ MIA
This doesn’t mean that one of these guys isn’t capable
of a solid game against the Dolphins – I think one will
put up respectable numbers, but the backfield is way too cloudy
to feel good about starting Faulk, Morris or BenJarvus “Law
Firm” Green-Ellis this week. HC Bill Belichick has a penchant
for riding the hot hand and who that will be is anybody’s
guess.
Wide Receivers
|
