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Friday, December 5, 2008

RB Rankings for Week 14

Adrian Peterson aka Purple Jesus was kept out of the end zone last time the Lions came to town and undoubtedly they will try to keep him out again, but it won't happen. The only thing that could keep him (and #19 Chester Taylor) from having a huge day would be if the head coach pulls a 'Childress' and out-coaches himself by pulling them at weird times or trying to throw 40 times. Can't happen? Well I call it a 'Childress' for a reason. But Peterson should have a huge day, this time with a TD.

Leading candidate in my rookie of the year column Matt Forte should continue to to put up his solid numbers against the Jags, who have given up 362 rushing yards in their last 3 games. For sure you have to get him in and can ride him for the playoffs - on top of everythign else, it's getting colder and the Bears will run the ball lots.

(sidenote: I have been very impressed with a bunch of rookie olineman - yes I consider them candidates, it's a shame more don't. How impressive is it when Ryan Clady steps into a notoriously hard to grasp zone blocking scheme in Denver and starts every game?)

Chris Johnson tore up the Lions and could have done even more had the Titans decided to not risk injury (madness - don't they know there were fantasy implications?). This week he faces a swiftly disintegrating team in Cleveland. The 26th rush defense sports an impressive 141.3 ypg allowed, with 11 TDs coughed up so far. Last week they confused the Colts (just 90 yards) but that was an abberration. You can be assured that Johnson will be right behind his friend Matt Forte in total yards for rookie RBs.

Thomas Jones
is back in the top five - if only he didn't get 'Childressed' by Mangini and Schottenheimer on occasion. But against the 49rs - who are playing better for Big Mike Singletary and won last week - he should do well. Despite the win last week they gave up 156 yards to the Bills, and they average 108.2 rushing yards allowed per game this year with 10 rushing TDs served up. Over the past 3 weeks, they have allowed 356 rushing yards. If only Mangini runs the ball and controls the clock as he should have done against the Broncos. I think he will this week.

While Michael Turner started off streaky, he has become very consistent and totaled 318 yards and 6TDs over the last three games. I think he'll play well againsta defense that got blowed up good by Tampa Bay last weekend. Turner has been on fire the last few weeks and the Saints are a little less than average (19th in the league) so expect Turner to continue to be rolling in what is likely week 1 in yoru fantasy playoffs.

Other thougths -
Peyton Hillis is for reals yo - start him against KC and you should be very happy....Willie Parker practiced today fully, it might snow and Big Ben might throw, but FWP should have a pretty decent game against the Cowboys - sorry Boyz..... The Rams are a good matchup, but I don't like what I have seen (or not seen) from rookie Tim Hightower, hence the lower than usually warranted spot given the matchup.... Can't stop putting DeAngelo Williams in my lineup - don't expect 4 TDs but do expect excellent production.... Marion Barber may play/may not play, I don't like the matchup anyway - so those two things give him that really bad ranking this week.... Please Lord do not start Kevin Smith - Williams boys or no. Unless you need a flex bad or have some injury issues - he's about at the end of the 35 and so he can be started - but I don't expect tons from him. He has had a decent season though - lost amongst the wreckage of this winless year....

Running backs
  1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings at Lions
  2. Matt Forte, Bears vs. Jaguars
  3. Chris Johnson, Titans vs. Browns
  4. Thomas Jones, Jets at 49ers
  5. Michael Turner, Falcons at Saints
  6. Peyton Hillis, Broncos vs. Chiefs
  7. Brandon Jacobs, Giants vs. Eagles
  8. Marshawn Lynch, Bills vs. Dolphins
  9. Brian Westbrook, Eagles at Giants
  10. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers vs. Buccaneers
  11. Joseph Addai, Colts vs. Bengals
  12. Willie Parker, Steelers vs. Cowboys
  13. Steve Slaton, Texans at Packers
  14. Frank Gore, 49ers vs. Jets
  15. Larry Johnson, Chiefs at Broncos
  16. Reggie Bush, Saints vs. Falcons
  17. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars at Bears
  18. Tim Hightower, Cardinals vs. Rams
  19. Chester Taylor, Vikings at Lions
  20. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins at Bills
  21. Steven Jackson, Rams at Cardinals
  22. Leon Washington, Jets at 49ers
  23. Ryan Grant, Packers vs. Texans
  24. LenDale White, Titans vs. Browns
  25. Pierre Thomas, Saints vs. Falcons
  26. Derrick Ward, Giants vs. Eagles
  27. Clinton Portis, Redskins at Ravens
  28. Cedric Benson, Bengals at Colts
  29. Marion Barber, Cowboys at Steelers *MAY NOT PLAY*
  30. Jamal Lewis, Browns at Titans
  31. Warrick Dunn, Buccaneers at Panthers
  32. Ricky Williams, Dolphins at Bills
  33. Sammy Morris, Patriots at Seahawks
  34. Kevin Smith, Vikings at Lions
  35. Kevin Faulk, Patriots at Seahawks

2 comments:

keithprime said...

Don't know if you saw this, but Addai is on the injury report as questionable. I have no idea where this came from, but I am not happy about it.

Also, I think you have Steven Jackson too low. I don't know if I could ever start Hightower or Chester Taylor over him. And I would think very hard about starting him over MJD. But, until he is healthy, I would agree with him being lower than usual, but definitely a top 15 guy, IMO.

I know you have to ride the hot hand, but I think DeAngelo gets brought back down to earth this week. The Bucs D is quite formidable.

Andrew Garda said...

Hmm. I could certainly see about Hightower and maybe I over-analyzed that a little. My biggest worry is how quickly they (Rams) fall behind and what that might do to jacksons numbers. But you make fair points - perhaps Jackson is a bit lower than necessary.

as far as Williams, yes he did struggle vs Tb last time out, I think he continues to play well. He won't be getting a ton of multiple carry games though. But I believe he does pretty well this game.

be interesting to see what emerges tomorrow. The panthers play well at home and i think they have to have the ground game functioning to win this - and they need the win.