AFC Goal Line Gossip – Week 9

As you continue to manage your lineup amid the final bye weeks, and a sudden excess of injuries to vital RBs, you’ve found the place for a detailed look at how the backfields are evolving on every team from a fantasy perspective. I’ll examine how all 32 starters are performing, which backups are providing threats to their allotment of touches, and how challenging their next match-ups will be. Plus, I will update you regarding when the backs who have been sidelined with health issues will return, and how you can improve your rosters until they do.

All of this should assist you in determining which RBs should be in your starting lineups. Even though the aforementioned bye weeks are slowly coming to a close, there is still one AFC team that will be impacted this week. If you have Maurice Jones-Drew, affix him securely to your bench.

With that, here is comprehensive information that you need, toward helping you maximize your chances of winning your fantasy match-ups in week 9.

Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice rebounded nicely from his forgettable Monday Night performance in week 7, by generating a sizable amount of fantasy points against the Cardinals. While he did not run for extensive yardage, gaining 63 yards on 18 attempts, he delivered excellent production for fantasy owners by scoring a franchise record three TDs. It was his first multiple TD performance since opening day, which he supplemented by supplying a season high seven catches for 36 yards. That increased his season yardage total to 373, which is third among all backs. Sunday night, Rice will line up against the same Steeler defense that allowed him 149 total yards in week one.

Buffalo Bills: Fred Jackson picked up exactly where he left off before his bye, by gashing the Redskins for 194 total yards on 29 touches, including 120 yards on the ground. It was Jackson’s fifth 100-yard game this season, and his third straight. That lifted his season total to 721 yards, which places him fourth among all backs. With three more receptions for 74 yards, he now has 353 for the year, which also ranks him fourth in that category. While he  failed to cross the goal line for the first time since week 1, his remains a top five scorer in all fantasy leagues, and is a must start against the Jets’ 25th ranked rush defense (126.9 YPC).

Cincinnati Bengals: Bernard Scott was the next man up for Cincinnati in week 8, as Cedric Benson served his one game suspension. But the third-year back could only deliver mediocre results, gaining 76 yards despite 22 carries (3.4 YPC). His inability to generate sizable yardage despite a massive number of attempts, was very reminiscent of Benson’s production in the vast majority of his games. While it was Scott’s highest total since 2009, he will now resume his backup role. Conversely, Benson’s return to the feature back slot is perfectly timed for an enticing match-up against Tennessee’s 27th ranked run defense (129.3 YPG).

Cleveland Browns: Peyton Hillis appeared set to return for his first most extensive workload since week 4. But his ongoing assortment of on and off-field issues continued, when he suffered yet another setback with his hamstring. That propelled Montario Hardesty into his fourth start of the year, but his appearance was very brief. He was forced from the contest in the second quarter with a calf injury, after gaining just six yards on two carries. Third-stringer Chris Ogbonnaya then drew the tough assignment of running against San Francisco’s top ranked rush defense, and gained 37 yards on 11 attempts. Hardesty will be out, and Ogbonnaya is not roster worthy, leaving Hillis as the only viable fantasy option. Monitor his status leading up to the match-up against Houston’s sixth ranked rush defense (97.4 YPG).

Denver Broncos: Willis McGahee’s hand surgery forced him to the sidelines in week 8, which added to the arduous task of finding usable RBs with so many normal starters either injured, or on their byes. That helped propel Knowshon Moreno’s return to relevance, as he became a popular roster addition, despite entering the week with just 17 rushing attempts and 54 yards. But Moreno delivered respectable production for those who started him, generating 69 yards on 14 carries against the Lions. However, he did lose his second fumble of the year. Lance Ball utilized a 34-yard scamper to attain 63 yards on six attempts, but Moreno is the superior option. Monitor McGahee’s status leading up to Denver’s match-up with Oakland, and start the same back (McGahee or Moreno) that John Fox does as a No. 3.

Houston Texans: Arian Foster continues to present fantasy players with exceptional numbers, after rumbling for 112 yards and a TD, on a whopping 33 carries against Jacksonville. He has now assembled 499 yards in the past four weeks, vaulting him into ninth among all rushers for the season with 532 yards. Plus, he has scored all four of his rushing TDs during that stretch. Despite grabbing just one pass for 12 yards, his proficiency as a receiver has still produced 299 yards in the past four games. Patient owners who suffered through Foster’s unproductive September, should be highly rewarded once again, when he lines up against Cleveland’s 26th ranked rush defense (127.3 YPG).

Indianapolis Colts: For the second straight week, Joseph Addai’s problematic hamstring created massive questions for owners of all Indianapolis RBs. While he ultimately was active for the contest, he was only available for emergency duty, while Delone Carter was given the start. The rookie generated 46 yards on just nine attempts (5.1 YPC), and demonstrated the ability to break tackles with his limited opportunities. Donald Brown actually received more carries (10), while amassing 33 yards and a TD. Carter has been effective in two straight games, and would appear to deserve more touches. But with Brown’s continued presence, and Addai’s questionable status, it is difficult to rely upon any member of this stable against Atlanta.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars’ dreadful efforts to pass have instilled fear in nobody, as they rank dead last with a nearly unimaginable 123.6 YPG. Yet, Maurice Jones-Drew has managed to generate significant yardage, even as opposing defenses have the luxury of focusing heavily on containing him. While Blaine Gabbert connected on just 10 of 30 passing attempts, MJD amassed 63 yards on 18 attempts against the Texans. That was his lowest output of the season, although he did score on an 11-yard catch. He now ranks third in rushing yardage for the season (740), and second in attempts (166), all of which is commendable, given Jacksonville’s overall offensive shortcomings. He returns in week 10 for a dream matchup with Indianapolis’ 31^st ranked rush defense (144 YPG).

Kansas City Chiefs: Jackie Battle’s final numbers will display 70 rushing yards and a TD on 19 attempts. But any fantasy owners who were dependent upon his scoring in order to win their games, will tell you that with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter, he had gained just 12. While he will not dazzle anyone with his elusiveness, he will deliver yardage by moving straight ahead through an opening. Despite an overabundance of tinkering by Todd Haley, who actually interchanged Battle, Dexter McCluster and Thomas Jones during several three play sequences, the HC appears to realize that Battle is his best RB option, and has allotted him 18 APG in his last three games. Battle should deliver acceptable stats from this point forward, and can be utilized as a No. 3 against Miami’s 13th ranked rush defense (109.9 YPC).

Miami Dolphins: This week’s uncertainty concerning Daniel Thomas’ troublesome hamstring, resulted in the rookie registering his third DNP. Those 202 yards that he delivered in weeks 2 and 3 are very much the distant memory now, as he has gained just 47 since. That allowed Reggie Bush the opportunity to generate his first 100-yard rushing performance since 2006, with 103 on 15 attempts (6.9 YPC). While that was an unexpected bounty for fantasy owners, it was tempered slightly by the employment of Steve Slaton for the coveted goal line carries, which included a first quarter TD. While Thomas’ status should be monitored, Bush can be utilized as a high end No. 3 against a rejuvenated Chief defense in Kansas City.

New England Patriots: While there has been certainly been a considerable amount of discussion, regarding Mike Shanahan’s propensity to devastate fantasy owners with lineup chicanery, Bill Belichick is also a grand master of that game. The latest example occurred in week 8, when BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ toe issue forced the Patriots to rely upon another back. But it was not Danny Woodhead, nor was it Stevan Ridley. Instead, it was 35-year old Kevin Faulk, who led the Patriots with 11 touches for 52 yards, despite being involved in his first game since September, 2010. BJGE had just five carries for nine yards, which was by far his lowest production of the year. New England will run more extensively in week 9, against a Giant rush defense that has allowed 130 YPC, and nine TDs. The challenge will be determining which Patriot back will be anointed to exploit them.

New York Jets: Fantasy owners are feeling much better about having Shonn Greene on their rosters, after suffering continual frustration during the first quarter of the season. He has amassed 269 rushing yards in his last three games, after gaining just 157 in his first four, and struggling noticeably while doing so. The rebirth of “ground and pound” has revitalized Greene, who has carried a whopping 62 times during the three game stretch, and vaulted into the top 20 in rushing yardage for the season (426). He should continue receiving an extensive workload, and will deliver coveted fantasy points as a result. He can be utilized as a No. 2 this Sunday against Buffalo’s 20th ranked rush defense (120 YPG).

Oakland Raiders: How quickly it all changed. Darren McFadden entered week 7 with 614 yards on 113 attempts, but after being forced from his matchup against Kansas City following three inconsequential touches, he quickly evolved from being the NFL’s leading rusher, to a mere bystander wearing a walking boot. The additional week of rest should improve his chances of competing against Denver, but it might be difficult to obtain a legitimate update from Hue Jackson regarding his condition. Fantasy owners who have secured Michael Bush can avoid being sent into scramble mode should McFadden’s status be in question. Whichever back starts for Oakland, should subsequently be in your lineup too.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Heading into their week 8 matchup with New England, the Steelers had already evolved into a passing team, running an amazingly low 42% of the time. But considering the success that Pittsburgh has enjoyed when employing Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Emanuel Sanders, versus the modest numbers that they have generated when entrusting Rashard Mendenhall, it makes complete sense. Against the Patriots, Mendenhall did manufacture 70 yards on just 13 attempts, while Ben Roethlisberger was tossing a gargantuan 50 passes. It was Mendenhall’s second highest output of the season, and improved his season yardage total to 421. But considering Pittsburgh’s emphasis on their passing attack, he is a low end No. 2 at best, against the Ravens’ third ranked rush defense (89.1 YPG).

San Diego Chargers: With Mike Tolbert unable to perform due to both hamstring and hand issues, the perfect scenario was in place for Ryan Mathews to be supplied with an extensive workload Monday night against Kansas City’s 18^th ranked defense. Mathews did generate 112 yards on 19 touches, including 57 yards on the ground, but was forced to depart with a groin injury in the fourth quarter. That elevated seldom used Curtis Brinkley into the lineup, and he performed admirably with 67 yards and a TD, on 13 touches. He vaults from obscurity, to a legitimate roster addition for owners of both Mathews and Tolbert. Stay informed regarding their collective health,   leading up to Sunday’s encounter with Green Bay. Mathews will be a No. 2, and Tolbert a No. 3 if they are available. Brinkley is a No. 3 if neither of his teammates can perform.

Tennessee Titans: This was the last chance for Chris Johnson to salvage any semblance of pride and productivity this season, when he faced a dreadful Colt run defense, that was allowing an unsightly 150.9 YPG, and had permitted a league worst nine rushing TDs. Instead, he managed just 51 yards on 17 touches, including an unsightly 34 rushing yards on 14 attempts (2.4 YPC). Meanwhile, Javon Ringer accumulated 102 total yards on 19 touches, including 60 yards on the ground. Ringer was easily the more decisive runner, and played nearly every fourth quarter snap. A long awaited productive game would have been opportunity for fantasy owners to sell Johnson, but he could not even deliver that. Now, he should be relegated to all benches, while Ringer becomes a low end No. 3 versus Cincinnati’s second ranked run defenders.