Running Backs

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

Jonathan Stewart vs. NO
With 92 yards Sunday, Stewart would reach 1,100 rushing yards on the season as he and backfield mate DeAngelo Williams look to become the first set of RB teammates since the NFL-AFL merger to each rush for 1,100 yards in a season. Stewart has run for 109+ yards and a TD in 3 of his last 4 games. Only 3 teams (Giants, Rams, Raiders) have given up more rushing TDs than New Orleans (18). The Saints have allowed 118.5 rushing YPG

Frank Gore @ STL
Gore eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the 4th consecutive season despite missing most of 3 games with an ankle injury. He has tied a career-best 8 rushing TDs while averaging 4.9 yards a carry. Get him out there while he tries to batter the Rams. St. Louis, the NFLs only 1-win team, has been diced up on the ground all season. They have allowed 21 rushing TDs and opponents have averaged 138.4 rushing YPG against them..

The Raiders have given up 21 rushing TDs this season.

Ray Rice @ OAK
Rice has been golden for PPR-leaguers, as he leads the Ravens with 74 receptions. He has rushed for 394 yards in his last 3 games, averaging 6.7 YPC during that span. With 141 yards last week, Rice ended Pittsburgh’s 33-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher. He should have much success this week against a Raiders team that has given up 21 TDs on the ground this season and 149.9 rushing YPG.

Fred Jackson vs. IND
Action-Jackson needs 150 rushing yards Sunday against the Colts to reach the 1,000-yard milestone. His 204 carries for 850 yards rushing are personal career-highs. Given the likelihood that the Colts will rest key defensive starters, Jackson has a solid matchup this week. If he gets hot early, hopefully the coaching staff will give him the carries to make a run at 1,000 yards.

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

Joseph Addai @ BUF
You know the deal with Colts starters…don’t get burned! Given Addai’s history of getting dinged up, he could be the first Indy starter to find the bench this week.

Laurence Maroney @ HOU
Maroney’s goal line fumble last week may have cost him the confidence of Bill Belichick, and it certainly cost his owners who started him. He did not see a carry the rest of the way. Up to the first quarter of last week’s game, Maroney’s decent play had held off Sammy Morris but considering the uncertainty of this situation, leave Laurence out of a starting gig this week.

Cedric Benson @ NYJ
Benson has been a workhorse for the Bengals for much of the season, but consider that they could be locked in to the 4-seed and don’t have much of a reason to play their starters for too long. Benson has consistently outperformed in tough matchups this season, but I think this will be a case of Cincinnati resting key players in the second half this week.

Pierre Thomas @ CAR
Thomas did not practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to injury, leaving his status for Sunday’s game in Carolina up in the air. The Saints have locked up home-field advantage through the playoffs and it would be foolish to risk pushing Thomas out there for a (mostly) meaningless game this week. Expect Mike Bell and others to get the majority of the work.

Wide Receivers