The bye weeks have arrived and with that you know that this is the time when your lineup matters the most. This is really where the strategery and analysis really lends a helping hand in winning your weekly matchups. So not to cause an aneurysm by over-thinking your lineup, make sure you check us out each week for the advice that will carry you through.
Since there are 6 teams that do not play this week, there will be a lot of holes to fill with a limited supply of players to fill them. However, the statistics through the first four weeks are building a good representation of the personality of the league and how teams perform against the run. Therefore, the Run D Chart should provide a decent picture of what you can expect from running backs this week. If you have absolutely no options in your free agency or waiver, you still have options. You can bite the bullet and wait for brighter days (the passive approach), you can fill in with back up RBs against weak defenses (the risky approach), or you can make some late week trades to gain the upper hand (the aggressive approach). My suggestion is to either take risks or to be aggressive. After all, being passive has the least return on investment in the competitive nature of Fantasy Football.
Here are your stats and favorable RBs:
[table id=43 /]
Fred Jackson vs. PHI
Needless to say, Freddy Jackson is having a spectacular year thus far and will continue to impress against a Philly D that allows the most points to RBs in the league. The Eagles are allowing a ridiculous 5.3 yards a carry to running backs and Jackson is getting 15-20 touches a game. It very well could be a close contest where Jackson will be heavily featured as Chan Gailey will want to exploit Philly’s weakest link.
Darren Sproles vs. CAR
Sproles has surprised many coming into New Orleans and doing everything and more than what Reggie Bush was expected to do. Sproles doesn’t see a lot of carries per game, but he is averaging 6 catches and just under 90 yards from scrimmage through 4 weeks of play. After what we saw from Matt Forte last week, Sproles could have a big game ahead of him and could be very useful if you need to fill some gaps.
Joseph Addai vs. KC
There aren’t many things going well for either of these teams in this matchup, but we have seen upside from both recently. After Garcon making two long TD catch and runs, the KC defense will have to respect the deep threat more than other teams have this year against the Colts. And although Addai is very low on the totem pole of running backs this season, he could be in for a good day against the Chiefs D that allows an average of 130 yds rushing per game.
CAUTION!! CAUTION!! CAUTION!!
Although you need every playmaker you have in your lineup during the bye weeks, there are some unfavorable matchups that could end up hurting you more than thought. Take heed when deploying the running backs below and consider other options if they are available.
LeGarrette Blount vs. SF
We’ve been preaching for weeks that the San Francisco run defense is tough to beat and this week will be no exception. Blount finished strong last week for the Buccs with a decisive 35 yard dash to the end zone for the win. But this week will be mostly on the shoulders of their young QB Freeman as the holes should be slim for Blount.
Michael Turner vs. GB
I doubt that anyone will actually be sitting Turner this week as he has been a solid performer thus far. However, I can easily see this matchup getting away from Atlanta, causing Ryan to air the ball out as much as possible. The Packers have allowed the second fewest rushing yards per game (71) and also have only allowed one rushing TD through 4 weeks. Think twice about starting the Atlanta workhorse this week.
Other Questionable Matchups: Cedric Benson vs. JAX, Frank Gore vs. TB, Isaac Redman vs. TEN
