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Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Willis McGahee vs. OAK
Last week “Whatchootalkinbout” Willis scored his first
TD since Week 3 and broke the century mark for the first time
this season. His 5.5 YPC against one of the better run defenses
in the league was reassuring. After his 35-yard screen last week,
look for Willis to get more involved in the passing attack as
well. The Raiders give up 136 yards per game on the ground and
#23 is in on target for a nice game.
Cedric Benson @ HOU
WHO???? I know, I know. I really don’t like seeing this name here
either. We can hem-and-haw all we want, but that won’t change
the fact that Cedric Myron Benson is the feature back in Cincy.
His 3.7 YPC against the Steelers #2 rush defense – not bad. Chris
Perry fumbled his way out of any touches at all last week, so
that is not a concern. Only the Chiefs have given up more TDs
on the ground (12) than the Texans (11). Benson putting up points
as your RB2 or Flex should make your opponent sick.
Steve Slaton vs. CIN
Sleek Steve Slaton has 3 TDs in his last 3 games and is getting
close to 20 touches per game. This week he will shred the Bengals
weak rush defense who have already allowed 10 TDs and 152 YPG
on the ground. Cincinnati has given up at least 1 rushing score
in every game they have played this year, including 2 to both
Mewelde Moore and Thomas Jones in their last 2 games.
Thomas
Jones vs. KC
Time for some Shot Caller’s trivia! Name the only NFL team
to allow opposing running backs to romp for over 200 YPG? (Hint:
Their own running back has a tendency to assault women in nightclubs).
Got it? Of course you do…The Chiefs! Ding-Ding-Ding. Even
with the Jets weedy offensive line (that was supposed to be good),
Jones is in for a big day against the ridiculously bad Chiefs
rush D. They have given up NFL-worst 12 TDs and have allowed 14
runs of 20+ yards. Yikes.
Chris Johnson
vs. IND
While his plump backfield mate rushed for 149 yards and 3 scores,
Johnson delivered against KC in his own right last week to the
tune of 165 yards and a TD. I think it is safe to say that Lendale
won’t break another 80 yard run anytime soon, but Chris
Johnson certainly can. His 5.3 YPC is the best among RBs with
100+ carries. He is averaging 91.5 YPG despite sharing carries
with ‘Chubbdale.’ The Colts weakness is their rush
defense, and Johnson will exploit that on Monday night in Tennessee.
Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform
Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Justin Fargas @ BAL
Only the Cleveland Browns have fewer rushing TDs (2) than the
Raiders (3). The Ravens have only allowed 1 TD on the ground all
season. This does not add up to a productive day for Fargas. Fargie
is clearly the better option above the overhyped Darren McFadden
right now, but he will struggle against Baltimore and will not
have goal line opportunities with the way Oakland moves (or doesn’t
move) the ball.
Maurice Jones-Drew vs. CLE
I love MoJo as a player, I really do. The problem is that the
way he is used (behind Fred Taylor) does not allow for him to
put up points on a consistent basis. Then you leave him out of
your lineup and he goes for 100 yards and 2 TDs (see Week 6).
He has not put together back-to-back quality games all season.
As a feature back, we all know what a beast he would be, but the
pattern of ‘stinker-stinker-good game’ means MJD will frustrate
owners this week.
Marion Barber vs. TB
The Bucs have allowed exactly zero ball carriers into the end
zone this year. I would like The Barbarian’s chances much better
to score if Tony Romo-Simpson was behind center for Dallas. Johnson’s
makes Dallas more predictable and while MB III will not be completely
shut down, he won’t find it easy this week either. Temper expectations
for Barber against the league’s better defenses while Romo-Simpson
is out.
Marshawn Lynch @ MIA
The good: 5 TDs. The bad: 0 games over 100 yards. Marshawn hasn’t
been terrible by any stretch, but despite being the primary ball
carrier for a good team, his numbers aren’t what I expected.
Lynch will get his touches, but the Dolphins have only given up
4 TDs on the ground and should do a pretty good job of containing
him; unless the sun glances off his golden grill just right and
temporarily blinds the defense from time to time during the contest.
Michael Turner @ PHI
If you don’t know the pattern by now, allow me to assist.
In 3 games against the lower ranked rushing defenses of the Lions
(31st), Chiefs (32nd) and Packers (25th), Turner the Burner averaged
148 yards and 2 TDs. In three games against the better rush defenses
in the league - the Buccaneers (10th), Panthers (14th) and Bears
(6th), he averaged 50 YPG and 0 TDs. Up against the 9th-ranked
Eagles defense this week, the choice is obvious.
Wide Receivers
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