Running Backs

Bye Weeks: Cedric Benson, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Rashard Mendenhall, Cadillac Williams, Clinton Portis

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

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Matt Forte vs. CLE
I am aware that I keep beating the Forte drum, but come on - this guy has to produce eventually, right? Right! He will make it happen this week because he gets to run all over the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland and the NFL’s 31st ranked run defense have allowed 10 rushing TDs and 170.6 rushing YPG. Have faith in your early draft pick, and if he can’t find room to run and/or score a TD this week, then we will collectively stick a virtual fork in him, because this is as easy as his schedule gets the rest of the way.

Kevin Smith vs. STL
We go from one disappointing second-year player to the next, but at least with Smith you didn’t use up a 1st or 2nd round pick. Smith has not been able to find consistency this year, but he’s got a ripe match up this week against the Rams. St. Louis has allowed 11 TDs on the ground thus far, the worst mark in the NFL (tie – Raiders). Detroit isn’t much better, but their defensive liability is more through the air than on the ground. If they are smart, the Lions will control this game rushing the ball with Smith leading the charge.

Steve Slaton @ BUF
Slaton, yet another second-year RB who has been less-than-scintillating in ’09, has an excellent opportunity to post his first 100 yard game of the season this week in Buffalo. Gloomy weather, gusty winds and a banged-up Andre Johnson could curtail the passing game of the Texans, which gives Slaton a chance for his biggest workload thus far. Slaton has more reception TDs (3) than rushing TDs (2) and his ability as a double-threat has kept him out of fantasy doghouses. The Bills have been shredded to the tune of 172.9 rushing YPG and 9 rushing TDs. Start Slaton with confidence.

LaDainian Tomlinson vs. OAK
The Raiders are tied for last in the NFL with the Rams as both have given up 11 rushing TDs this season in 7 games. Tomlinson has failed to impress this season, garnering just 211 yards on 61carries (3.46 YPC). He did manage 55 yards and a TD against the Raiders in Week 1 against whom he has an excellent track record, including at least one 100-yard game against in every season except his rookie year (2001). LaDainian has scored 23 of his 142 TDs against Oakland, the most versus any NFL opponent.

Ronnie Brown @ NYJ
Ronnie Brown has made his owners proud this season, producing 7 TDs – including three 2-TD games – and two 100+ yard games. The last time he faced the Jets (Week 5), he had 74 yards rushing and 2 TDs. He has 6 career TDs against the Jets, the most versus any opponent. After two very good defensive games to start the season, the Jets have regressed; they have allowed at least an average of 138.4 rushing YPG in 5 games since then. Miami’s potent running game averages 170.3 YPG and has 12 TDs.

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

Brandon Jacobs @ PHI
Jacobs scored his just 2nd TD of the season last week against Arizona after racking up 15 in 2008. He has not had a 100-yard rushing game since November 9, 2008, ironically against Philadelphia. The slumping Giants will have their hands full with the Eagles, and Jacobs may have trouble duplicating last year’s performance against them. Philadelphia’s rush defense has allowed just 3 TDs this season and no individual player has rushed for more than 87 yards against them.

LeSean McCoy vs. NYG
McCoy will likely get the start on Sunday as Brian Westbrook suffered a concussion earlier this week on MNF. Since his 20 carry, 84 yard, 1 TD performance against the Chiefs in Week 3, McCoy has done very little to please fantasy owners. He’s played in 3 games and carried the ball 25 times for 64 yards (a paltry 2.56 YPC) with 0 TD. The Giants defense hasn’t been great (10 rushing TDs allowed), but they should play desperate enough to keep McCoy in check.

Marshawn Lynch vs. HOU
The Houston Texans allowed 8 rushing TDs and an average of 205 rushing YPG in their first 3 games this season but have battened down the hatches since then. In their last 4, Houston has allowed just 2 rushing scores and 48.5 YPG on the ground. Marshawn will get plenty of opportunity to produce despite being outplayed by Fred Jackson; Jackson sees the playing field less than the Bills cheerleaders despite averaging 4.0 YPC to Lynch’s 2.9. Whether its Buffalo’s weak offensive line - or maybe Marshawn has lost a step, either way Lynch has not looked good since his return from suspension.

Jonathan Stewart @ ARI
A week after his first 100-yard game of the season, Stewart carried the ball 7 times for 25 yards against Buffalo last week. Buffalo for goodness sake!! Let’s face it, he only has a chance to be start-worthy when he can garner 15+ carries and it does not look promising for Carolina this week in Arizona. The Cardinals are the most dominant run stopping team in the league; they have held opposing RBs to 67.5 YPG and have allowed just 3 TDs on the ground.

Felix Jones vs. SEA
Much like Stewart above, Jones has to do a whole lot with his touches to make himself a viable option, as he has never carried the ball more than 9 times in an NFL game. Four out of his ten career games have resulted in a 10.67 YPC average, which illustrates his explosiveness, but it is difficult to predict when those games will happen. He is not much of a factor in the passing game, however if your league rewards points for return yards he is passable at a flex spot.

Wide Receivers