Fantasy Football Week 5: Five Explosive Running Back Performances
This week in the NFL is full of competitive games that will be dominated by the rushing attack.
Choose your starters wisely, noticing the effectiveness of their rushing defense. There are some versatile running backs, in particular, that will take advantage of their weak defensive matchup in the following slides.
It will be an exciting week for Fantasy owners, and just plain football fans, to see these powerful and elusive running backs run all over their opposing teams.
Don't forget to start the following.....
Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
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Week 5 Opponent: Detroit Lions
Steven Jackson is on track to play on Sunday against Detroit, but likely to wear a protective harness this week, after suffering a groin injury. On Thursday, Jackson said that he was feeling better, and did more work in the practices than he had in any of the prior two weeks.
Despite the small injury, still start this beast of a player.
In Week 5, Jackson will earn his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season, as well as his first multiple-touchdown game, against the pathetic rushing defense of the Detroit Lions.
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Week 5 Opponent: Buffalo Bills
If there was a concern with Jones-Drew because of injury, there shouldn't be.
Maurice Jones-Drew practiced fully on Friday, and is expected to play at full strength on Sunday, receiving his usual reps.
Coming off of his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, Jones-Drew should have no problem doing so again against the worst rushing defense in the National Football League.
The Buffalo Bills give up an average of 174 rushing YPG and 31.25 PPG in the 2010 NFL season, which means you cant expect Jones-Drew to have a thrilling performance in Week 5.
Arian Foster, Houston Texans
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Week 5 Opponent: New York Giants
Arian Foster has to be one of the most surprising turnouts of the 2010 NFL season so far.
Foster is leading the NFL in rushing with 537 yards on 85 carries. This two-year back out of the University of Tennessee also has a receiving touchdown and four rushing touchdowns.
Expect Foster's dominance to spill over into Week 5, continuing his extremely elusive rushing attack, making the Giants' defense suffer repeatedly.
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Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
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Week 5 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cedric Benson has had a pretty disappointing season so far. He's been given over 15 rushing attempts in all four games so far this season, but can't seem to break the 100-yard mark.
With the Cincinnati Bengals having such an effective passing game in Week 4, the passing threat should receive more attention from the Bucs' defense this week, enabling Benson to find more open running room.
The Bengals are off to a slower start than expected. They cannot afford to lose this game.
Expect Cedric Benson, and the Cincinnati Bengals as a whole, to play their best game of the season.
Frank Gore, San Franciso 49ers
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Week 5 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
In the Week 5 battle against the Philadelphia Eagles, Gore should finally display his fascinating running ability on the sixth-worst rushing defense in the league.
Frank Gore hasn't been too impressive rushing the ball, but you can always count on him making a few receptions, like he has done all season. Gore has recorded over 100 all-purpose yards in three out of his four games in 2010.
The Eagles give up an average of 138.8 yards per game, which can be exactly what Gore needs to spark his running game in the 2010 NFL season.
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