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Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Maurice Jones-Drew vs. GB
MoJo makes a for a great play this week against the Pack, who
appear to be making an effort to stake their claim as the worst
rushing defense in the league. They have some work to do to catch
the Chiefs, Rams and Lions, but a big game from MoJo could help
their cause. In the last 3 weeks against Green Bay, Steve Slaton
had 160 total yards, DeAngelo Williams rumbled for 4 TDs and Pierre
Thomas had 2 TDs. Start MJD with confidence; his stock creeps
even higher in light of the ‘Fred Taylor to IR’ chatter.
DeAngelo
Williams vs. DEN
Williams has rushed for 100 yards in 5 out of his last 6 games
despite receiving an average of only 18.2 carries per game in
that span. His TD streak now stands at 7 games during which time
he has 12 TDs. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the Broncos
leaky D gives up an average 139.5 rushing YPG to go with 17 TDs
on the ground this season. DeDub should add to his career high
15 TDs and keep his remarkable season rolling.
Sammy Morris @ OAK
A perennial AFC East-er, Samuel Morris III has tied a career high
with 6 TDs this season, which leads all Patriot RBs. While he
probably won’t get more than 15 touches due to the presence of
Kevin Faulk and LaMont Jordan, Morris is the starter and a Belichick
favorite. He’s also the leading goal line candidate against a
team that has served up 18 TDs to opposing RBs and an average
of 158.7 rushing YPG this season.
Maurice Morris @ STL
Another Morris and another potentially solid flex player this
week. While it remains to be seen which RB will start as HC Mike
Holmgren seems content to ride the RB carousel, MoMo figures to
get enough touches to do some damage against a horrific Rams defense.
He got the bulk of the carries last week, and given the same against
St. Louis, who has served up a mind-boggling 22 TDs on the ground,
Morris should produce decent numbers.
Joseph Addai / Dominic Rhodes vs. DET
Be sure to check for an update to Addai’s status (shoulder)
as he missed significant practice time this week. It has been
a frustrating season for owners of Joseph Kwahu Duah Addai, Jr.,
who has scored only 2 TDs in his last 6 games, but much of that
can be erased with a big fantasy playoff performance against the
lowly Lions. Make no mistake about it: Detroit has the most dreadful
rush defense in the NFL. They have allowed opposing RBs an average
of 173.3 rushing YPG and 23 TDs on the ground this season. If
Addai can’t go, backfield mate Dominic Rhodes makes for
a strong play.
Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Willie Parker @ BAL
No need to spend a lot of time here. “Fast” Willie
doesn’t look so fast anymore and it has seemed like an eternity
since his 3 TD performance in Week 1. The Ravens, who have allowed
77 rushing YPG and just 3 TDs on the ground this season will limit
Parker mercilessly. Next.
Frank Gore @ MIA
Gore’s status (ankle) for Sunday’s contest in Miami
remains unclear, but even if he is declared healthy enough to
play, I would urge caution before rolling him this week. His effectiveness
as a cutter could be compromised and I smell a letdown game from
the 49ers on the road. The ‘Fins allow under 100 rushing
YPG and have only allowed 8 rushing TDs in 13 games this season.
Not a great spot for Gore.
Marshawn Lynch @ NYJ
The Man with the Fort Knox smile is coming of one of his worst
games of the season when he gained just 31 yards on 13 carries
against the Dolphins. It won’t get any easier this week
at the Meadowlands against the Jets, who are 1 of 5 NFL teams
holding opponents under 90 rushing YPG. Lynch’s numbers
from Week 9 vs. NYJ: 9 carries for 16 yards.
Tim Hightower vs. MIN
Hightower’s 12 carries for 31 yards against the craptacular
Rams defense is not at all impressive. His saving grace was a
1-yard TD plunge. Among the 37 players with 125 carries or more,
Hightower’s 2.9 YPC ranks dead-last. Throw in that the Vikes
are holding opponents to 73.4 rushing YPG and it’s hard
to imagine the young Cardinal being overly effective.
Larry Johnson vs. SD
It’s hard to dismiss what LJ has done for fantasy owners
- particularly in ’06 and ’07 - but we’d all
be better off if we forgot about that now. 1,204 carries later
and Johnson has found himself in a pass-heavy offense that is
consistently trailing in games. He could only muster 36 yards
on against a Broncos team that has been run on all season. The
Chargers haven’t been great defensively this season, but
they have only allowed 6 TDs on the ground, tied for the 3rd lowest
total in the league.
Wide Receivers
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