NFL Week 4 Predictions: Running Backs Who Will Have a Field Day This Week

The NFL is a passing league, but a solid run game can make the difference between a good team and a Super Bowl contender.

Two teams that were preseason favorites to compete for a playoff spot are the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Lions are off to an 0-3 start, while the Eagles are 1-2.

Is it just a coincidence that neither team has proved the ability to effectively run the football? I think not.

According to ESPN.com, the Eagles rank No. 30 with just 193 rushing yards, while the Lions are last at 135. They both average less than three yards per carry and have four combined fumbles.

Philadelphia signed DeMarco Murray away from the Dallas Cowboys, but he's been a huge disappointment. He's tallied just 11 yards on 21 carries in two games.

Meanwhile, teams such as the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings have received a big boost from the run game.

Let's take a look at which running backs should have strong performances this week.

Melvin Gordon

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

The rookie ranks No. 11 in the NFL with 190 rush yards and a respectable 4.3 yards per carry.

Melvin Gordon should have a breakout performance running the football this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. 

According to Team Rankings, the Browns give up 158.3 rush yards per game, which is the most of any team in the league.

After averaging nearly 15 carries over his first three games, Gordon should get more touches going forward.

Prediction: Gordon will eclipse 100 yards and find the end zone for the first time in his pro career against Cleveland.

Latavius Murray

Aaron Josefczyk/Associated Press

Latavius Murray is in the midst of a breakout season and will quickly surpass his career total of 672 rushing yards.

The third-year pro should help the Oakland Raiders run over the Chicago Bears this weekend.

Murray has 248 rushing yards on 52 attempts and ranks No. 4 in the NFL. His statistics have increased in each game, and he should receive a boost from facing a team that gives up 135.7 rushing yards per game.

Prediction: The running back has two touchdowns on the season but will add two more against the Bears to tie his career total (four).

Jonathan Stewart

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Like the previous two running backs, Jonathan Stewart has the advantage of running against a poor rush defense when the Carolina Panthers travel to Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Tampa Bay ranks No. 30 in the NFL after giving up an average of 138 rushing yards through the first three games.

Meanwhile, Stewart has helped the Panthers start the season 3-0 by rushing for 170 yards.

Prediction: If he plays (he has a leg injury), Stewart rushes for his first touchdown of the year while totaling 90 rushing yards.

Frank Gore

Weston Kenney/Associated Press

Frank Gore isn't slowing down.

Despite the Colts' disappointing 1-2 start, the veteran running back has been a bright spot for Indianapolis.

He's rushed for 174 yards with two touchdowns while converting 11 first downs.

Prediction: Gore breaks through Jacksonville's solid rush defense and stomps out 70 yards with a touchdown.

Carlos Hyde

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Carlos Hyde is off to a sizzling start.

The San Francisco 49ers' running back averages 87.3 rushing yards per game and has recorded 16 first downs for the team.

When San Francisco meets the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, Hyde should run wild on a Green Bay defense that ranks No. 27 in rush yards per game.

Prediction: Hyde goes off for 100 yards.

Giovani Bernard

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Giovani Bernard is a big reason behind the Cincinnati Bengals' 3-0 start.

He averages 5.7 yards per carry and has broken two runs for more than 20 yards this season. Like Gore, he gets first downs (13) and should give Kansas City some trouble.

The Chiefs have an electric running back of their own, but the Bengals have a top-five rush defense.

Prediction: Bernard records two touchdowns and 75 yards as the Bengals improve to 4-0.

Chris Johnson

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Chris Johnson is reigniting his career with the Arizona Cardinals.

Last year, he failed to eclipse 1,000 yards for the first time. If he continues getting plenty of touches once Andre Ellington returns, Johnson should easily surpass the 663 yards he totaled in 2014.

On the year, he has 219 yards and two touchdowns.

Prediction: Johnson breaks out with a 30-yard run.

Joseph Randle

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line could likely make any running back look good. 

Joseph Randle has embraced the opportunity to replace Murray and has shined. He has 203 yards, three touchdowns and three runs of 20-plus yards.

Randle should continue playing well against a New Orleans Saints team that gives up 126 yards per game on the ground.

Prediction: Randle rushes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Alfred Morris

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The Washington Redskins rank No. 4 in the league with 431 rushing yards.

Alfred Morris is a big reason why.

He has 199 yards on 49 carries and hasn't fumbled the ball yet. Going up against Philadelphia, Morris should have a big afternoon.

Prediction: Morris scores his first touchdown of the year.

Karlos Williams

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

Like Morris, Karlos Williams has played an integral role in the Buffalo Bills' standing as the best rushing team in football.

Williams has an outstanding 7.8 yards-per-carry average on 24 touches. He's broken off a 41-yard run and has three touchdowns.

He will be put to the test against a New York Giants defense that gives up just 74.7 yards per game, which is good for No. 2 in the NFL.

Prediction: Williams pounds in two touchdowns.

Matt Jones

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Matt Jones has given the Redskins a tremendous one-two punch with Morris. He has 189 yards on the season with two touchdowns and averages 5.3 yards per carry.

Like Morris, he should have a nice performance against the Eagles.

Prediction: Jones rushes for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Matt Forte

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

The 0-3 Chicago Bears have depended heavily on Matt Forte over the years.

That will again be the case on Sunday.

Forte is the No. 2 rusher in the league with 276 yards and averages 92 per game.

Prediction: Forte scores two touchdowns.