NFL Predictions Week 5: Fred Jackson and the 3 Top Rushers

While quarterbacks have been getting most of the attention this season, it's been an excellent year thus far for a number of running backs. Familiar names like Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice have been joined by players thought to be second-tier who have broken out in a big way.

For example, the Buffalo Bills' Fred Jackson. Into the season, everyone thought he would be supplanted in both yards and carries by the younger C.J. Spiller; instead he's a top-five running back, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

This week, the Bills take on the Philadelphia Eagles, the worst defensive team in the league. This doesn't just benefit Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick; Jackson should have yet another 100-plus yard day, and should the Bills take a commanding lead, that number could be well above it.

Another back who has exceeded expectations is the Arizona Cardinals' Beanie Wells. Wells has rushed for 321 yards and five touchdowns so far this season, making him not only the top fantasy running back, but the No. 2 overall back in the NFL.

The reason for this, according to Wells, is that he's finally completely healthy. Last September, he had a knee procedure that he said limited him throughout the 2010 season. Now that he's fully healed, he's able to fulfill the potential he was unable to in his rookie year.

Wells and his Cardinals travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings this week, and while their run defense is better than that of the Eagles, there's no doubt that he will see yet another monster game. There's no question that Arizona will pull away early, leaving the door open for Wells to run at will.

Running at will seems to be the modus operandi for another top-three rusher, the Oakland Raiders' Darren McFadden. Not only does McFadden have 468 rushing yards for three touchdowns, he's also caught 15 passes for 132 yards and one more score.

He's averaging an astounding 6.2 yards per carry; this will surely help his team's chances this week when they take on the Houston Texans in what will likely be a battle of rushing yardage.

The Texans are imbalanced on defense, ranking in the top-10 against the pass but a dismal 30th against the run. To say that the Raiders will exploit this weakness is an understatement; this game will likely be defined by the play of McFadden.

As he goes, this Sunday, the Raiders go, and I see him being unstoppable all afternoon long. Over 100 yards for McFadden isn't just a guess, it's a pretty safe bet.