Running Backs

Start 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Fred Jackson @ KC
Jackson has officially moved ahead of Marshawn Lynch and figures to get plenty of touches against the Chiefs and their 27th ranked run defense. He did not find much room to run last Thursday against the Jets but the opportunities will be there in Kansas City. Jackson is returning kicks and for those in leagues who reward return yardage, this further strengthens his case to start this week. The Chiefs allow 143.8 YPG on the ground and have given up 13 rushing TDs this season.

Jamaal Charles vs. BUF
Charles has become heavily involved in the offensive attack of the Chiefs. He has averaged 22 touches on offense and kickoff returns for the last 4 games; those touches have turned into an average of 182.5 yards per game and 5 TDs. Charles has scored as a runner, receiver and returner in the same span. As long as he remains healthy, he will continue to see the bulk of the load for Kansas City. Get him in your lineup this week against the worst run defense in the NFL; the Bills allow 172.1 YPG, have given up 16 TDs on the ground and have allowed 16 rushes of 20+ yards this season.

20+ carries for Mendenhall in his last three games.

Rashard Mendenhall @ CLE
Mendenhall makes for a very good play this week in Cleveland. He has received 20+ rushes in 3 straight games and 4 out of 5, going over 100 yards in last week’s loss to Oakland. He should get plenty of chances against the woeful run defense of the Browns, who have allowed 154.2 rushing YPG and 14 TDs on the ground this season. Mendenhall had 17 carries for 62 yards and a TD and 2 receptions for 15 yards in his October meeting with Cleveland.

Knowshon Moreno @ IND
Moreno carried 21 times for 86 yards and 2 TDs in last week’s thrashing of Kansas City. He is averaging 87.8 rushing YPG in his last 4 contests and he has 3 TDs in that span. The Colts will certainly be a tough test but Moreno seems to improve each and every week, with RB Correll Buckhalter keeping him fresh and motivated. The Colts are not prone to allowing big running plays but if you’ve been riding Moreno lately then you know what he is capable of.

Bench 'Em:
Running Backs Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Matt Forte vs. GB
Despite Forte manufacturing his second-highest rushing output of the season (91 yards) and scoring a TD last week, Bears backup RB Kahlil Bell was given 11 carries, the first time this season that a backup has seriously cut into Forte's rushing load. Forte's struggles apparently have given Bell a shot to see more work in the coming weeks. Forte remains the primary RB, but losing touches is rarely good news for fantasy owners. To make matters worse, this week’s matchup against Green Bay is a brutal one. The Packers stymied RB Ray Rice last week and boast the NFL’s 4th ranked run defense. They have allowed just 87.2 rushing YPG and 4 TDs on the ground this year.

Cedric Benson @ MIN
Benson needs 31 rushing yards for his first 1,000 yard season. He has certainly exceeded any expectations of him heading into 2009. He has had 110+ yards in 3 out of his last 4 and 4 out of his last 6 games. He seems to prove me wrong each time I tag him with the ‘bench ‘em’ label, but he really has his work cut out for him this week in Minnesota. The Vikings and their 3rd ranked run defense have allowed 84.2 YPG and just 3 TDs on the ground in 2009.

LeSean McCoy @ NYG
With Brian Westbrook still out, McCoy is the best bet to lead the Eagles in carries every week, but after last week’s stinker (2 yards on 6 carries), you are better served finding a more reliable alternative during the fantasy playoff run. The Giants allow just 102.6 rushing YPG but have served up a whopping 15 TDs on the ground, so there is a chance for McCoy to do some damage. Alas, RBs Leonard Weaver, Eldra Buckley and QB Michael Vick remain in the mix for carries, which renders McCoy a choice for only those with no other viable options.

Brandon Jacobs vs. PHI
Jacobs has averaged just 13.5 touches per game over the last 4 weeks, but he does have 3 TDs (2 rushing, 1 receiving) in that span. However, the big RB still does not have a 100-yard rushing game and has topped 76 rushing yards just once in his last 8 games. The Eagles have the NFLs 7th ranked run defense and are 1 of 7 teams who surrender less than 100 YPG (98.8). They have allowed 8 TDs on the ground this season. Jacobs 5 total scores this year are a far cry from 15 a season ago.

Wide Receivers