NFC Goal Line Gossip – Week 4

You’ve found the place for a detailed look at how the running back situation is evolving on every team. I’ll examine how all 32 starters are performing, which backups are providing threats to their allotment of touches, and how challenging their next matchups will be. Plus, you will receive some advice regarding which RBs should be in your starting lineup. ( Week 4 AFC Article )

Starting next week, you will also be supplied with a quick reminder concerning which backs are impacted by the always dreaded bye weeks. But fortunately, we have one more week before concerning ourselves with that. For now, here is comprehensive information that you need, toward helping you maximize your chances of winning in week 4.

Arizona Cardinals: Beanie Wells’ hamstring flare-up sent owners scrambling for their collective Plan Bs on Sunday morning. And simultaneously lamenting their lost points, given the yardage that Wells would likely have produced against the Seahawks’ rush defense. Chester Taylor started in his place, but his forgettable performance (20 yards on eight carries), forced the Cardinals to rely upon Alfonso Smith. The second-year back generated decent production, amassing 54 on 17 carries, while adding 21 additional yards on three catches. Wells owners, should seize Smith as their handcuff, and hope that the fragile incumbent returns to face the Giants (103.3 YPC).

Atlanta Falcons: Suffice to say that Michael Turner did not register his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game in week 3, as he encountered unexpected resistance in Tampa. The same Buccaneer defensive unit that had been allowing 156 YPG, instead held him to a paltry 20 yards. That was a significant departure from the 97.5 YPG that he held entering the contest, as was his 1.8 YPC. However, Turner was only allotted 11 attempts, while Matt Ryan threw a whopping 47 passes. Turner still has accumulated 234 yards for the season, which places him eighth among all backs. If Atlanta avoids becoming overly reliant on Ryan and his receivers, then Turner should rebound when the Falcons travel to Seattle (99.7 YPG).

Carolina Panthers: It has become increasingly clear that Jonathan Stewart is a superior fantasy option to DeAngelo Williams. Not an appealing one, due to the constraints of sharing touches with Williams. But when the tandem carried 10 times against Jacksonville, Stewart gained 59 yards (5.9 YPC), while Williams only managed 18 (1.8 YPC). Stewart had also been a valuable receiver, with 10.8 yards per catch, and 140 yards for the season, which is eighth best among all RBs. Williams’ dreadful ineffectiveness (61 rushing yards, 2.3 YPC) has been a source of extreme frustration, but the six–year veteran and his $ 43 million contract are not going anywhere, except for your benches. Stewart is the only Panther back worthy of consideration at Chicago.

Chicago Bears: Matt Forte continues to reward owners who invested an early-round selection on him. His rushing numbers have remained unimpressive, as he is just 29th with 119 yards on 35 attempts (3.4 YPC). Yet, he easily cracks the top ten in fantasy points, because he is such a prolific receiver. He leads all backs with 22 receptions, and also in receiving yards, with a whopping 287. That is 119 yards more than the second leading back. His week 3 numbers symbolized his 2011 season, as he only ran for two yards on nine attempts, but also collected 80 yards on seven receptions. He should accumulate significant yardage once again versus the Panthers, who allow 356.7 YPG, including 239.7 through the air.

Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones returned to the lineup on Monday Night, and delivered a commendable performance. Not only did he play with a shoulder issue, before subsequently reinjuring it, but he amassed 115 yards on 14 carries in the process. He also collected 40 receiving yards on three catches. DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice had forgettable nights, as Murray only managed six yards with his two carries, and Choice had a woeful eight yards on eight touches. Jones definitely solidified his role as the Cowboys’ best RB, however his health should be monitored. Dallas now hosts the 21st ranked Detroit rush defense, that permits 113 YPG.

Detroit Lions: If your RB delivers a grand total of 14 rushing yards on 12 attempts, for a less-than sterling 1.2 YPC, you would normally be upset. However, if that back happens to be Jahvid Best, there is a reasonable chance that his prowess as a receiver will salvage his production for that day. Best has averaged 61 YPG, collecting passes from Matthew Stafford, including 74 on five catches against the Vikings. He is now fourth among all backs with 182 yards for the season, and fifth with 15 receptions. That makes the fact that he is just 26th in rushing with 143 yards (2.9 YPC) easier to handle. He should remain active against Dallas.

Green Bay Packers: Green Bay’s offense had been more effective with James Starks in the lineup for the first two weeks of the season, and his numbers had been superior to Ryan Grant’s. But in week 3, the entire situation was reversed. Grant, who had only rushed for 65 yards in the first two games combined, was allotted the most carries (17), and accumulated the most yardage (92). Meanwhile Starks, who entered the contest averaging 71 YPG, gained just five yards on 11 carries, and coughed up his first career fumble. When both backs are healthy, there is no discernible method of determining who will receive the most touches. But if Grant’s bruised kidney prohibits him from facing Denver, Starks becomes a great start versus a rush defense that has allowed 100 YPG.

Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson continues to assemble exceptional rushing numbers, despite the efforts of opposing defenders, and the incomprehensible decisions of his coaching staff.  He accumulated 78 yards on 17 attempts (4.6 YPC) against the Lions, although he was given just five carries in the second half. That continues an unfathomable pattern this season, as 36 of his 58 rushing attempts this season have occurred in the first half, as have 230 of his 296 yards. While that season yardage total places him sixth, how many yards has he been denied by Minnesota’s offensive decision makers?  He has also scored three times, and should add to that number against Kansas City’s 28th ranked rush defense that has allowed a league worst five TDs.

New Orleans Saints: Darren Sproles was a factor for the third consecutive game, and despite concerns (including mine) that he can continue delivering points each week, it now appears that he can. After accumulating six catches      for 50 yards against Houston, his season totals place him tied for first among all backs in targets (28), second in receptions (21), and sixth in yardage (168).  Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how patient Mark Ingram’s owners will remain if he continues to average 43 YPG. He was expected to garner more than his current 12 APG, and produce more effectively than his modest 3.6 YPC. He should remain benched until his numbers increase. But Sproles is a viable flex play against Jacksonville.

New York Giants: The tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs played a vital role in the Giants’ impressive week 3 performance. Bradshaw bolted for a season high 86 yards on 15 carries, while adding 53 yards on five receptions, including an 18-yard TD. Jacobs only had 19 yards on seven carries, but did rumble 40 yards with an Eli Manning pass for his second TD of the year. Bradshaw has 54 touches for 297 total yards on the season, continues to capture the majority of touches, and remains a strong No. 2. Jacobs is a decent flex play, despite having just 32 touches for 157 yards. The duo heads to the desert to face the Cardinals’ 27th ranked rush defense (122.7 YPG).

Philadelphia Eagles: While Michael Vick has remained the dominant topic in nearly every discussion regarding the Eagles, LeSean McCoy is arguably the team’s best story on offense. After rumbling for 128 yards and a TD on 24 attempts, he has elevated into the NFL’s second leading rusher for the year with 345 yards, with a stellar 6.1 YPC. He also leads the league with four rushing TDs, and has accomplished all of it despite only being 10th with 19 APG. He has supplemented those numbers with nine catches for 49 yards, and another TD. Regardless of Vick’s status, McCoy is an essential part of Philadelphia’s attack, and is a must start despite a tough matchup with San Francisco’s third ranked rush defense (62.7 YPC).

San Francisco 49ers: The constraints being placed upon Alex Smith, have not made life easier for Frank Gore, as it has allowed opposing defenses to focus further upon containing him. His discouraging year (2.5 YPC) continued in Cincinnati, when an ankle injury forced him from the game, after just 42 yards, and a critical fumble. That lifted Kendall Hunter into the lineup, and the rookie proceeded to score the game’s only TD, while rushing for 26 yards on nine attempts. He is an excellent roster addition, if the Gore owner in your league was not savvy enough to already secure him. Whoever starts for San Francisco will have an outstanding matchup against a struggling Philadelphia rush defense (131.3 YPC).

Seattle Seahawks: Finally, there are signs of life from Seattle’s offense.  After gaining just 44 yards in the Seahawk’s first two contests, Marshawn Lynch rumbled for 73 on 19 carries against the Cardinals. He is now just   30th among all backs in rushing for the season, with 117 yards on 38 attempts (3.1 YPC). Not exactly what was expected, by owners who planned on utilizing him as their No. 3 or even No 2 back. But his week 3 performance was a vast improvement nonetheless.  He will now face Atlanta’s 20th ranked run stoppers (112 YPC), in Seattle, where the team performs significantly better.

St. Louis Rams: Steven Jackson returned from the quad injury that had limited him to two carries this season, but was only able to run four times for 23 yards in week 3. Backup Carnell Williams, overcame a hamstring problem to rumble for 75 yards on 18 attempts versus the same Baltimore unit that had limited Rashard Mendenhall to 45 rushing yards in week one, and permitted just 53 yards to Chris Johnson in week two. Jackson should capture a larger workload against the Redskins, although owners should monitor his progress. Williams now has 202 yards for the season, and is a viable alternative if Jackson is unable to perform.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After managing just 19 rushing yards in six disturbingly unproductive quarters,  LeGarrette Blount busted loose for 66 yards and two TDs in the second half of week 2. And he continued that momentum against the Falcons, churning for season highs in yardage (81) and carries (24). Blount is now 18th in rushing for the year, with 167 yards (4.0 YPC). He has also resumed his role as the unquestioned goal line back, despite the continued reliance upon Earnest Graham in passing situations. Blount should remain in all lineups when Indy’s 22nd ranked rush defense visits Tampa. The Colts have now allowed 113.3 YPG, and four TDS.

Washington Redskins: The trick with any Mike Shanahan coached offense, is trying to determine if he will be inclined to ride one RB heavily, which he has done during some seasons, or if he will instead employ  a pattern- less committee approach complete with frequent plot twists. Tim Hightower’s allotment of 14 carries in Dallas continued a steady decline, from 25 in week 1, and 20 in week 2. He ran for just 41 yards (2.9 YPC) but was effective as a receiver with 39 yards and a TD. Roy Helu had just seven touches for 32 yards, but was involved in an ever increasing number of snaps, including the team’s final drive. Hightower remains the No. 1 back for now, and should find success against the Rams, who allow a league worst 174.3 YPG. But beware of the time share, because the potential is looming.

( Week 4 AFC Article )