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Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Ryan Grant vs. DET
Grant has a creampuff matchup this week and should be starting
in all formats. Although his last 2 games have been forgettable,
he is still getting a lot of touches and is safe bet for yards
and a TD against the lowly Lions, who have given up 30 TDs on
the ground this season.
Cedric Benson vs. KC
Benson rushed for a career-high 171 yards on 38 carries last week.
He should be considered for deployment this week against a bad
Chiefs defense. The Bengals should be able to hang with KC and
Benson will get his touches. The Chiefs have served up 24 scores
on the ground this season.
Kevin Smith @ GB
Smith has scored a rushing TD in consecutive weeks for just the
2nd time this season, giving him a total of 7. He needs 116 yards
against Green Bay to reach 1,000 for the season. The Packers have
been soft against the run and Smith will continue to receive the
vast majority of touches.
LaMont Jordan @ BUF
Jordan can be a tricky play as he is an injury liability and you
can just never be sure about anything with HC Bill Belichick.
Another drawback is that Jordan shares carries with Sammy Morris,
but it is tough to ignore that LaMont has still managed to put
up 175 yards and 3 touchdowns in his last 2 games.
Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Brandon Jacobs @ MIN
HC Tom Coughlin has shown that he will stick with his starters
in Week 17, so Jacobs may in fact start on Sunday. I have a concern,
however, that his touches will be limited as the team looks to
rest his knee. The Giants are trying to be the 4th team in NFL
history to have two 1,000-yard rushers in a season. Derrick Ward
needs 52 yards.
Marshawn Lynch vs. NE
The man with the Fort Knox smile has just 1 TD (last week @ Den)
in his last 4 games. He’s got a tough matchup against a
Patriots squad that has only given up 8 TDs on the ground this
season – and 4 of those touchdowns were way back in Week
3. Buffalo just isn’t good enough to be a spoiler here.
Maurice Jones-Drew @ BAL
We all know what MoJo is capable of, especially now that Fred
Taylor is out of the picture, but he’s climbing an uphill battle
this week. The Ravens have allowed just one RB (Ahmad Bradshaw)
to rush for more than 90 yards in a game and they have given up
just 4 rushing TDs all season.
Ronnie
Brown/Ricky
Williams @ NYJ
The reeling Jets defense has been exposed of late but still allows
just 92.8 rushing YPG and a total of 10 rushing TDs this season.
One way or the other, Chad Pennington will be the difference in
this game, not the two (plus) headed Dolphin running game. Furthermore,
Ronnie and Ricky have combined for 2 TDs in their last 4.
Wide Receivers
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