If you threw caution to the wayside and elected to install Jamaal Charles into your starting line-up last week, you no doubt rolled to a win in your season-long league and placed in the $$$ in your weekly fantasy football match-ups; other pigskin toters of note were Maurice Jones-Drew, Andre Brown, Ray Rice, and Darren McFadden. Don’t celebrate too much however, as Week 4 is upon us and it’s time to peg which running backs are worthy of drafting to your roster for Draft$treet’s. $300 freeroll.
Start ‘Em
BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB Cincinnati Bengals ($11,183) – Lost in the chaos that was the Bengals Week 3 match-up with the Redskins was the simple fact that the “Law Firm” hit pay dirt for the second time in three games. Cincy was able to pass at will and Washington’s still tough against the run even though it’s suffered a multitude of injuries on the defensive side of the ball. That won’t be the case in Week 4, as the Jags Achilles Heel defensively comes in stopping the run (#30 at 154.3 YPG) which means he could potentially finish with a Top 10 fantasy output for RBs on Sunday.
Cedric Benson RB Green Bay Packers ($9,790) – With the Packers suffering such an ill-fate on Monday night in Seattle, you can’t help but expect the offense to come out with fire in its eyes as it attempts to throw a spark into its lifeless season-long stats. Green Bay will be able do as it pleases with the Saints defense having major problems defending the pass (#25 at 262.3 YPG), but they’ve been even worse limiting opposing ground attacks (#32 at 215 YPG) and just allowed Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles to have a career day in the dome last Sunday. This should be Ced Ben’s biggest game as a Packer!
Sit ‘Em
Alfred Morris RB Washington Redskins ($10,711) – Rookie back Alfred Morris has been a major surprise to start the 2012 fantasy football season. The 6th round pick, along with RG3, has catapulted the Skins into becoming one of the best rushing teams in the league that’s averaged a healthy 180.7 YPG (#2). However, the stiffest threat they’ve faced thus far was the Rams who rank 21st versus the run (120.7 YPG) while both Cincinnati and New Orleans check in ranked #31 & #32 respectively. Tampa Bay has surrendered an average of just 9.7 fantasy points to running backs to date, and they currently possess the league’s top ranked rush defense that’s given up just 47.3 YPG. Plant Alfred’s behind on the bench and keep him there!
Fred Jackson/Tashard Choice RBs Buffalo Bills ($10,040/$6,456) – Just because Jackson is said to be returning to the Bills this week does not mean you should start him. Same goes for Choice who will probably get the lion’s share of carries regardless. Frist off, a duo in the backfield is never wise to be a part of when it comes to fantasy football. What if you start one , and the other goes off; you’ll be kicking yourself about it all night long. Second, the Patriots retooled defense has been extremely stout in defending the run having given up an average of just 82.0 YPG (#7) to date. The Bills did most of their damage against New England through the air last year, and this Sunday should be no different.
**Week 4 Value Start**
Jacquizz Rodgers RB Atlanta Falcons ($5815) – Through three weeks of the season, it’s become painfully obvious that the Carolina Panthers cannot stop the run. Week 1,they gave up nearly 100-yards to rookie RB Doug Martin. Week 2, Pierre Thomas and Mark Engram combined for 163 yards. And then last week, Giants back-up Andre Brown went for a buck thirteen and two tuddies filling in for Bradshaw. Jacquizz saw a bunch of action last week with 10 carries and five targets from QB Matt Ryan; he went for 32 yards on the ground and caught all five passes for 35 yards and a TD. He’s a sneaky FLEX2 option this week against Carolina who’ve surrendered an average of 25.3 FPPG to RBs on the year.
