Running Backs

Bye Weeks: Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats, Chris Brown

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

Thomas Jones vs. JAX
Though Jacksonville’s run defense is not the worst, they are allowing 119 rushing yards per game. Leon Washington is out for the year and Shonn Greene did nothing to endear himself to the organization in his last outing with a 2.3 average and a lost fumble. Jones should be able to take advantage of those factors, as he will likely receive more than his average of 19 touches per game. If the Jets can exploit the poor Jacksonville secondary early in the game, some holes should open up for Jones later. Expect him to bring it on in the second half, giving your fantasy team a sudden comeback.

Steven Jackson vs. NO
Jackson has been solid yet unspectacular this entire season, scoring his first touchdown of the year last week. Going up against New Orleans should help him get a second taste of the end zone, as the Saints have allowed 7 rushing touchdowns over the past three weeks. Jackson will also get plenty of looks in the passing game as the Rams play constant catch-up. Expect a typical 20-carry, 100-yard game from Jackson, along with some bonus receiving yardage and perhaps a score…or even two.

Pierre Thomas @ STL
Despite his lack of carries, Thomas has the ability to put up solid RB2 stats each and every week. Without a single carry in the first half of Week 3, he still managed to rack up 126 yards and 2 TDs by the end of the game. Against St. Louis—who has the 27th ranked run defense, allowing 134.8 yards per game and 12 rushing TDs on the year—Thomas may get more opportunity and less resistance in putting up those numbers. The only drawback to playing Thomas would occur if the Saints go up early, in which case Payton may send in Mike Bell to finish off the hapless Rams.

Marshawn Lynch @ TEN
Though Lynch has been mediocre thus far, this game could turn things around for him. The Titans are giving up 111.9 yards on the ground per game. Thanks to their riddled defense and Vince Young at quarterback, Tennessee will try to keep the ball in the hands of Chris Johnson, who has 49 carries in the last two weeks. In order to limit Johnson’s time on the turf, the Bills will want to rush the ball as much as they can. Expect a lot of carries for Lynch. Also, Trent Edwards returns, which could signify many checkdowns, most of which will go to Lynch (11 catches for 99 yards in his two full games with Edwards this season). Lynch should have no problem getting his 2008 groove back this week.

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

2009 has been anything but a bounce-back year for L.T.

LaDainian Tomlinson vs. PHI
The Philadelphia run defense has given up just under 100 yards per game along with an average of 3.6 yards per carry. The addition of Will Witherspoon at linebacker should make them even tougher to run against. LT currently looks a shell of his former self, averaging a mere 3.2 yards per carry and, more importantly, getting only 16 touches per game. I strongly believe he will still have his moments this year. However, wait until his matchup with KC in Week 12 to pick that moment to play him.

Cedric Benson @ PIT
Pittsburgh is firing on all cylinders and has just recently found a renewed ground attack. They are also, once again, the league’s top rushing defense, giving up only 70 yards per game and a mere 2 TDs on the season. The loss of Aaron Smith surely helps a smokin’ hot Benson, but the rest of the Steelers defense will still be waiting for him. Though Benson’s revival is unquestionable, it has come primarily as a workhorse. He’s broken 100 yards only when he’s had at least 27 carries. The Steelers can keep the Bengals off the field while putting up points, which could really limit Benson’s playing time. A trip to the end zone may be there, but I wouldn’t expect much more than 50 yards.

Joseph Addai vs. NE
Addai has been an inconsistent runner for a while now, though he does supplement his lack of rushing skills with receiving stats and the occasional pass attempt. However, New England is not the team to be inconsistent against in any regard. Addai has salvaged some of his value by scoring in five of his first eight games, but don’t expect that to continue this week. The Patriots have allowed only two rushing TDs so far this season. In his four games against New England, Addai has been spectacular in one but lackluster in the other three. Expect more of the latter this week, as he hasn’t broken 65 yards rushing since last November.

Wide Receivers