FanProphet

“The Gospel” Week 15 Running Backs

It has taken them awhile, but it’s finally December and fantasy football owners’ favorite position is finally worth talking about. Last week we saw some pretty impressive performances; LaDainian went off in the second half and overtime in San Diego’s win over Tennessee, Joseph Addai scored 25 points in only two quarters, Marion Barber went bonkers with three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving), and we watched two Buffalo Bills rush for over 100 yards each.

My feelings are running backs will carry us in the playoffs and if we aren’t solid at this position then we will be in trouble this week. Most of the top backs have favorable match-ups and if they don’t, the teams they play on, have a good enough run game to overcome the opposing teams defense.

LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson has one of the best match-ups of the day at home against Detroit. Did you see what Barber did last week in Detroit?
Projected Points: 28

Adrian Peterson: The Bears have struggled all season long and Peterson is coming off of his worst game ever. That spells disaster for the Bears on Monday night.
Projected Points: 27

Brian Westbrook: Westbrook has had two games under fifteen points and the only week where he scored in single digits was during his bye week. Otherwise, he has been the most consistent back in the league this season. Westbrook and the Eagles always play well against Dallas so expect another solid performance.
Projected Points: 23

Earnest Graham: Atlanta goes to Tampa and Atlanta doesn’t stop the run very well. Tampa is trying to win their division and Atlanta is trying to go home for the rest of the year. This is almost like someone handing you a blank check and telling you to fill it in.
Projected Points: 22

Frank Gore: Just when we thought Gore was back in week 11 when he scored 35 fantasy points he followed it up with ten and six points respectively. This week Cincinnati comes to town and Gore should have a big game.
Projected Points: 22

Marshawn Lynch: This should be a running back filled day in Cleveland. Or, should I say, this should be a running back field-day in Cleveland? Cleveland allows 130 rushing yards per game and Buffalo’s run game sits right in the middle of the NFL.
Projected Points: 20

Ryan Grant: Grant should have another big day especially if Green Bay gets out to a lead early in St. Louis. He’s hard to stop when the Packers have the leagues best athlete ever.
Projected Points: 19

Jamal Lewis: Westbrook and Tomlinson are the only running backs that have been stronger than Lewis since the midway point of the season. Buffalo gives up 112 rushing yards per game and Lewis has almost a thousand for the season.
Projected Points: 19

Joseph Addai: After watching Addai go off for 25 in the first half last week I don’t feel safe with this play this week. However, the Colts are playing in Oakland this weekend and Addai may only need two quarters.
Projected Points: 18

Willis McGahee: The Ravens’ morale was shot in the New England loss, but McGahee continues to play hard. Miami might be the team to put these Ravens in the right direction for next season.
Projected Points: 18

Steven Jackson: By only allowing four rushing touchdowns this season and giving a modet 99 rushing yards per game, Jackson will have to find another way to beat the Pack. Bulger returns after missing two games and the Rams passing game should help Jackson out.
Projected Points: 17

Marion Barber: Barber won’t have a let down, but don’t expect the same day against Philly that he had last week in Detroit.
Projected Points: 16

Brandon Jacobs: Jacobs is still a little hampered by his hamstring injury, but that should not limit his success against the Redskins.
Projected Points: 16

Rudi Johnson: These final weeks for Rudi Johnson could make up for his disastrous season. San Francisco’s overall team defense has been horrible and Johnson is finally 100%.
Projected Points: 15

Lendale White: Kansas City’s run defense allows 125 yards per game and White is heading towards his first 1,000 yard season. Players are just playing for their jobs in Kansas City this week and for the rest of the season.
Projected Points: 15

Maurice Jones-Drew: I like Drew over Taylor in this match-up in Pittsburgh because of his physical nature. The Steelers don’t give up much, but Jones-Drew doesn’t need much to be successful.
Projected Points: 14

Clinton Portis: I just don’t like Portis, but I cannot deny that he is a quality back when he wants to be. It just seems like he doesn’t want to be and if I can see it so can the Giants. Portis has been less than mediocre all season and Sunday won’t be any different.
Projected Points: 12

Fred Taylor: I don’t normally place players on here if projected to score less than 10 points. However, if I miss Taylor this week it will be like him missing the Pro Bowl for his entire career. Taylor has proven that he can still get it done.
Projected Points: 10

Willie Parker: Jacksonville is strong defensively and Parker cannot find the endzone. I predict a low scoring affair with minimal rushing yards.
Projected Points: 10

Edgerrin James: James has consistently posted mediocre numbers which makes him at best a RB2. However, this week against the leagues fourth best run defense New Orleans has forced James to the bottom of this list.
Projected Points: 10