Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: RBs Who Will Make or Break a Lineup This Weekend

Running back is the most important position in fantasy football and putting the right ones in your lineup is a crucial decision.

Fantasy owners who took a chance on Shonn Greene this week will feel proud of their decision, while those who were counting on BenJarvus Green-Ellis to get into the end zone may be looking at a loss.

This coming weekend, the running backs who are on the border line between being a starter or a bench player will continue to create anxiety among fantasy owners attempting to choose their lineups.

Here are two running backs who will have productive days and two who should be kept on the bench.

Start 'Em

Doug Martin

Martin gave fantasy owners hope in the first week of the season when he gained 95 yards on 24 carries. But he has not gained that amount of yardage or received that many attempts in any game since the opener.

He has proven that he is not an every-week RB, but that he still has value in certain matchups. Going against a soft New Orleans Saints run defense that has been allowing 172.8 yards on the ground per game makes Martin an excellent option this week.

There will be plenty of holes for the rookie against the Saints, and he should be in starting lineups in Week 7.

 

Chris Johnson

Johnson was the biggest bust in fantasy football for the first three weeks of the season, but then racked up 141 rushing yards against the Houston Texans.

This caused some to feel he was back, but he put up just 24 yards in the next contests, once again drawing frustration from fantasy owners.

But in his last contest, Johnson gained 91 yards and helped his team defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, he will face an underperforming Buffalo Bills defense and will have a second consecutive productive week.

 

Sit 'Em

Mikel Leshoure

Leshoure’s first three performances have followed a pattern.

Against the Tennessee Titans' soft run defense, he gained 100 yards and scored a touchdown. Then, the Minnesota Vikings' stout defenders stuffed him, allowing him to gain just 26 yards.

This past weekend against Philadelphia’s decent run defense, Leshoure had an average day and racked up 70 yards. But this coming Sunday, he will go against a tough Chicago Bears defense and he will be shut down once again.

 

Shonn Greene

After Greene exploded for three touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts, fantasy owners will want to thrown him into their lineups.

This would not be a wise decision considering the New York Jets’ matchup with the New England Patriots. The Pats run defense has played well this season, and the Jets will likely trail early as they fail to contain Tom Brady and the New England passing game.

Playing from behind, New York will not call Greene’s number as often as they did this past weekend.