Fantasy Football Week 4 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Cedric Benson and 3 RBs Set to Please

Running backs—can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

As unpredictable as any position in fantasy football, though these three ball carriers should acquit themselves well in the virtual world during Week 4 of the 2011 NFL season.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

Cedric Benson gets to enjoy at least one more week of freedom while he appeals a three-game suspension. He'll make the most of his new-found opportunity against a Bills defense that ranks 22nd in the NFL against the run.

Buffalo's ball-hawking corners also figure to give Bengals rookie Andy Dalton fits, which should put the ball firmly in Benson's court.

Unless, of course, Cincy falls behind too far, too fast.

Not that Buffalo's D is particularly stout, especially against a guy who will be playing like it's his last game...for the month of October.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

I know, I don't like the way Rashard Mendenhall has played, either, but the Steelers will have to find some way to take some pressure off Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh's offensive line has offered little in the way of pass protection this season, particularly on the road.

Meanwhile, Houston has given up more than 100 yards rushing per game while allowing opposing running backs to rack up catches as well. If the Steelers know what's good for 'em, they'll feed Mendenhall the rock early and often, which bodes well for those who depend on his points to succeed.

Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

Darren Sproles did well against the Texans both on the ground (35 yards, one touchdown) and through the air (50 yards).

He'll get plenty of looks out of the backfield against a surprisingly stout Jaguars run defense.

Not in carries, but in catches. Sproles has long been renowned for his ability to haul in the ball out of the backfield.

The Saints will also be without two of their starting offensive linemen in Jacksonville, making the dink-and-dunk game that much more important their success in both eating up yardage and keeping Drew Brees off his back.

And who better for Brees to throw to out of the backfield than Sproles?

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