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Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Peyton Hillis vs. KC
Since taking over as the Broncos primary ball carrier in Week
11, this converted fullback has become a force to be reckoned
with. His rushing totals have gotten better with each game, culminating
in last week’s 129-yard effort against the Jets. He has
4 TDs in his last 3 games and Cutler will put him in position
to hit paydirt again this week. The Chiefs give up 163.7 rushing
YPG (only the Lions are worse) and have served up 20 TDs on the
ground. Hillis has another thing going for him: Shanny’s
stamp of approval.
Tim Hightower vs. STL
Hightower has produced a measly 85 rushing yards on his last 42
carries, which is definitely not the type of production fantasy
owners were expecting when he took over as the Cardinals top rushing
option. He has had one standout game this season (109 yards rushing
/ TD) and it came against this week’s opponent, the Rams.
Look for similar production this week. St. Louis just cannot stop
the run; they have allowed 20 TDs on the ground and 161.8 rushing
YPG.
Steve Slaton @ GB
Slaton rushed for 130 yards and 2 TDs and caught 2 passes for
52 yards on Monday night. He is averaging 5.0 YPC for the year
and has 9 total TDs. Based on those numbers alone he should have
earned himself a starting spot on your squad. Throw in that the
Packers are inept against the run and have allowed 43 PPG over
their last 2, and Slaton is a must-start this week.
Larry Johnson @ DEN
LJ has played in 8 games; in the 4 games that he received 20+
carries he has averaged 121 rushing YPG and scored 4 TDs. In the
4 games with 19 carries or less, he has averaged 43 YPG and scored
0 TDs. The bottom line is that if the Chiefs can stay in a game,
LJ will produce. He ripped Denver for 198 yards and 2 scores when
KC beat the Broncos in Week 4. Denver has had some letdowns at
home and LJ has a good shot to top the century mark and cross
the stripe.
Matt Forte vs. JAX
Seriously, what is there not to like about a talented back who
always gets 20+ carries per game? He’s got an impressive
10 TDs (6 rushing, 4 receiving) on the season. The reeling Jags
have big enough holes in their defense that even William “the
Refridgerator” Perry could scamper for some decent gains
against them. Expect another solid game from the rookie.
Kevin Smith vs. MIN
I’m not going to spend a lot of time here, but if the Minnesota
Williams Wall (DTs Kevin & Pat) are suspended for this game,
Smith should find room to run. He has improved as the season has
progressed; overall his numbers would be much better if he wasn’t
on such a craptacular team.
Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
DeAngelo Williams vs. TB
DeAngelo is entrenched as the go-to ground option for the Panthers.
He has scored at least 1 TD in 5 straight games, (and frankly,
he doesn’t deserve an outright benching) but we need to lower
our expectations for him this week against the Bucs. Tampa has
allowed just 1 rushing TD (uhh…Kolby Smith!?!) all season and
they have been holding opponents to an average of 95 rushing YPG.
Marion Barber @ PIT
I’m a huge Marion Barber fan, but he’s got 2 things
working against him in Week 14. The first is the brutal matchup
against the top rush defense in the league; the Steelers allow
only 71.2 YPG on the ground. Secondly, the Barbarian has a dislocated
toe which has been limiting him in practice this week. You can’t
expect a big game here.
Brian Westbrook @ NYG
Westy had 13 carries for 26 yards in the Eagles Week 10 loss to
the Giants. While it is understandably tough to bench a beast
who had 4 TDs (2 rushing, 2 receiving) just last week, if you’re
going to roll with Westy (or any of the big name RBs on the Bench
‘Em side of the SCR this week) you can’t expect him
to run wild against a Giants team that allows just 85.4 YPG on
the ground.
Frank Gore vs. NYJ
Franklin Gore has averaged just 46 rushing YPG and 2.4 YPC over
his last 2 games. He’s got a tough match up this week against
a Jets D that has been hard to run on (unless your name is Peyton
Hillis), allowing just 82.1 YPG on the season. The Jets are the
better team here, and I think they will tighten up their exposed
holes and keep Gore in check.
Clinton Portis @ BAL
It’s unlikely that the dinged up Portis, who is nursing
knee, ankle, hip, neck and oblique injuries, will be a solid fantasy
contributor this week. The Ravens have allowed only 1 team (Giants)
to rush for more than 86 yards in a game and have served up just
3 TDs on the ground all season. In 3 of his last 4 games Portis
has received 15 carries or less and more of the same can be expected
this week in Baltimore.
Wide Receivers
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