Start 'Em

Ben Tate @ NO
Tate came off the bench with a chip on his shoulder in consecutive weeks to start his NFL career and promptly went off for 116 and 103 rushing yards, respectively. Head Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed on Monday that Tate will be the Texans' lead back until Arian Foster's hamstring fully heals. While the hamstring is progressing, Foster could miss this week and if he does, Ben Tate should be in lineups. Tate now leads the NFL in carries (47) and is third in rushing yards. The Saints have been tough against the run but have not been challenged as they are 30th in the NFL in rush attempts against (39). That number figures to rise this week as the Houston Texans lead the NFL with 77 rush attempts on the season.

Best has big upside in PPR leagues.

Jahvid Best @ Min
Best has been healthy and despite a subpar 3.5 yards per carry, he has started to flash some serious fantasy form, scoring both rushing and receiving TDs last week. PPR leaguers appreciate his 10 receptions thus far and Best will continue to receive the majority of the Lions’ red zone touches. There is lots of upside here. The Vikings traditionally have a solid run defense but have given up 3 TDs on the ground in 2011.

Ryan Mathews vs. KC
The Chargers are beginning to show more confidence in Mathews and he has responded. Last week, like backfield mate Mike Tolbert, Mathews was targeted 9 times by QB Philip Rivers, converted into 7 catches for 62 yards. He also rushed for 64 yards and a TD. Tolbert had a monster opening game (3 TDs) but has 21 carries for 45 yards (2.1 yards per carry) on the season compared to Mathews’ 24 carries for109 yards (4.5 yards per carry). I’m starting to get the sense that the tide may be turning in the Chargers backfield and the matchup against the woeful Chiefs certainly doesn’t hurt.

Shonn Greene @ Oak
Despite just 76 yards on the ground and leaving his owners frustrated through two games, Greene managed to score the Jets first rushing touchdown of the season last week. The jury is still out, but Greene has shown glimpses of fantasy stardom at times in his young career and he is overdue for a solid game. The Raiders were shredded by RB Fred Jackson last week and have given up 255 rushing yards through 2 games. The Jets should be able to move the ball and Greene figures to get his touches and goal line work in Oakland.

Bench 'Em

Cedric Benson vs. SF
Benson returned to Earth after a big opening week; his 3.7 yards per carry in Week 2 was a let-down after averaging 4.8 in Cleveland. He is not an advisable play against a 49ers run defense that has been very impressive so far. San Francisco has allowed an average of 54.5 rushing yards per game (leads NFL) and they are one of four NFL teams (Bears, Lions & Texans) who have not given up a rushing TD in 2011. It goes without saying that Marshawn Lynch (2.5 yards per carry @ SF) and Felix Jones (2.8 yards per carry @ SF) are not amongst fantasy’s elite RBs, but then again, neither is Benson.

Thomas Jones / Dexter McCluster @ SD
It remains to be seen how the Chiefs split the workload vacated by Jamaal Charles in the wake of his season-ending knee injury. The general sense is that Thomas Jones will be the starter and leader of the new RB committee (Le'Ron McClain is also in the mix for carries), with Dexter McCluster’s role increasing as well, although his touches will be monitored (if not eventually limited) due to his diminutive size. Of the lot, McCluster has the most upside and could be a low-end option in PPR leagues, but neither makes for a strong play this week considering the state of the Chiefs football squad. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have targeted one of these players on the waiver wire, but it’s not realistic to expect good starter numbers from either.

DeAngelo Williams vs. Jax
Through 2 games, the $43 million running back has managed just 72 yards on 22 touches and has been kept out of the endzone. QB Cam Newton has apparently invoked a more pass happy offense than was expected under new Head Coach Ron Rivera. Furthermore, Jonathan Stewart has received 13 carries to Williams’ 17 which could indicate more of a committee than owners hoped for. Stewart has also displayed superior receiving skills (10 catches, 114 yards) to Williams (5 catches, 29 yards). It is also worth mentioning that the Jaguars have been solid against the run, allowing only 144 yards through Week 2.

Tim Hightower @ Dal
Hightower’s numbers may be muted on Monday night. Dallas has been stellar against the run, having allowed an average of 59.5 rushing yards per game and only 1 TD. To date the Cowboys have not allowed a run longer than 12 yards. 49ers RB Frank Gore managed just 47 yards (2.4 yards per carry) and Jets RB Shonn Greene produced just 26 rushing yards (2.6 yards per carry) against Dallas. It is also worth monitoring the Redskins workload distribution going forward. Rookie backup RB Roy Helu was impressive last week, gaining 76 yards on 10 carries. In the past, many of Head Coach Mike Shanahan’s backfields have ultimately taken on a committee approach.

Wide Receivers