As we wrap up the bye weeks, and some of the stronger running backs are back from injuries, the top running backs start to become less about the match-up and more about the team they’re on and who they are. This week you can feel secure if you have one of the elite runners. If you’ve built your backfield on the waiver wire, you could be in trouble starting this week.
1 – Brian Westbrook, PHI @ SEA – Westbrook was an injury concern last week, but all those concerns have been laid to rest by his stellar performance last week. Look for him to put up large numbers again this week as he faces off against a Seattle team with virtually no offense without Matt Hasselbeck. This translates into a large time of possession for the Eagles and a lot of touches for their feature back.
2 – Matt Forte, CHI vs. DET – Forte is another of the dual threat running backs and this week he lines up against the Lions 31st ranked run defense. While Forte has not put up stellar rushing numbers this year, his combined yards and touchdowns makes him a must start this week.
3 – Adrian Peterson – MIN vs. HOU – Look for Peterson to get the ball early and often in Minnesota’s quest to control the tempo. The Texans are 21st against the run and face off against one of league’s best pure runner’s in Peterson. Minnesota may be forced to minimize the run late if Houston puts up quick scores with Johnson and Walter.
4 – Michael Turner – ATL @ OAK – Turner is lining up against a Raider team that is 26th against the run, which means big numbers for the Atlanta running attack. The only thing keeping Turner from being ranked higher is Jerious Norwood. The question is not only how many carries does Turner get in the rotation, but in what situations.
5 – Steven Jackson – STL vs. ARI – The only question in this one is Jackson’s health. It appears that the Rams are getting back on track in their passing game with Avery stretching the field vertically. This will roll the Safeties out of the box to prevent the big one, and give Jackson some room to run.
6 – Justin Fargas – OAK vs. ATL – As Jamarcus Russell continues to struggle, look for the Raiders to ride Fargas into the ground. Against the 23rd ranked Falcons, Fargas will get touches early in the game as the Raiders try to break down the defense for Russell and the aerial attack.
7 – Ronnie Brown – MIA @CLE –Brown, once written off by fantasy owners has rebounded from his injuries to become one of the elite backs again this year. Look for the trend of solid weeks to continue against the Browns, who are only better than the Lions and Chiefs against the run.
8 – Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC @ CIN – Jones-Drew has now firmly established himself as the go to back in Jacksonville. The “bowling ball” will roll right over a Bengal’s team that, without Carson Palmer, has trouble sustaining drive that keep their 27th ranked run defense off the field.
9 – Earnest Graham – TBB @ KCC – Graham is facing a pathetic Chief's run defense that gave up 100-yard days to both Tennessee backs two weeks ago. Graham could move up the list if Dunn’s health comes into question again this week.
10 – Marion Barber – DAL @ NYG – Dallas may go to a quarterback by committee system this week inserting Brooks Bollinger in some situations. Barber will be the only beneficiary of this set up as both quarterbacks will rely heavily on the running game and Barber as a check down receiver.
1 – Brian Westbrook, PHI @ SEA – Westbrook was an injury concern last week, but all those concerns have been laid to rest by his stellar performance last week. Look for him to put up large numbers again this week as he faces off against a Seattle team with virtually no offense without Matt Hasselbeck. This translates into a large time of possession for the Eagles and a lot of touches for their feature back.
2 – Matt Forte, CHI vs. DET – Forte is another of the dual threat running backs and this week he lines up against the Lions 31st ranked run defense. While Forte has not put up stellar rushing numbers this year, his combined yards and touchdowns makes him a must start this week.
3 – Adrian Peterson – MIN vs. HOU – Look for Peterson to get the ball early and often in Minnesota’s quest to control the tempo. The Texans are 21st against the run and face off against one of league’s best pure runner’s in Peterson. Minnesota may be forced to minimize the run late if Houston puts up quick scores with Johnson and Walter.
4 – Michael Turner – ATL @ OAK – Turner is lining up against a Raider team that is 26th against the run, which means big numbers for the Atlanta running attack. The only thing keeping Turner from being ranked higher is Jerious Norwood. The question is not only how many carries does Turner get in the rotation, but in what situations.
5 – Steven Jackson – STL vs. ARI – The only question in this one is Jackson’s health. It appears that the Rams are getting back on track in their passing game with Avery stretching the field vertically. This will roll the Safeties out of the box to prevent the big one, and give Jackson some room to run.
6 – Justin Fargas – OAK vs. ATL – As Jamarcus Russell continues to struggle, look for the Raiders to ride Fargas into the ground. Against the 23rd ranked Falcons, Fargas will get touches early in the game as the Raiders try to break down the defense for Russell and the aerial attack.
7 – Ronnie Brown – MIA @CLE –Brown, once written off by fantasy owners has rebounded from his injuries to become one of the elite backs again this year. Look for the trend of solid weeks to continue against the Browns, who are only better than the Lions and Chiefs against the run.
8 – Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC @ CIN – Jones-Drew has now firmly established himself as the go to back in Jacksonville. The “bowling ball” will roll right over a Bengal’s team that, without Carson Palmer, has trouble sustaining drive that keep their 27th ranked run defense off the field.
9 – Earnest Graham – TBB @ KCC – Graham is facing a pathetic Chief's run defense that gave up 100-yard days to both Tennessee backs two weeks ago. Graham could move up the list if Dunn’s health comes into question again this week.
10 – Marion Barber – DAL @ NYG – Dallas may go to a quarterback by committee system this week inserting Brooks Bollinger in some situations. Barber will be the only beneficiary of this set up as both quarterbacks will rely heavily on the running game and Barber as a check down receiver.
Author: Derek Brauhn
(Email Derek for any lineup decisions, trade recommendations, waiver wire advice or anything else related to winning in Week 9)
Hi Derek,
ReplyDeleteActually R Brown & MIA play against DEN this weekend.