Fantasy Football 2011: Is Jackie Battle a One-Week Wonder?

Jackie Battle carved up the Colts for 119 yards on 19 carries (6.3 yards per carry) with another 21 yards on a pair of catches. It wasn’t one or two long runs that did the damage. Eleven of his carries went for four or more yards. He was able to move the chains and pick up seven first downs.

I know what you’re thinking. He was playing the Indianapolis Colts. A team ranked 31st against the run has allowed 145.2 rushing yards per game through the first five games. Fantasy football owners wonder if he can do it again against teams that don't historically struggle against the run.

Unfortunately there isn’t a track record for Battle. Even with his 19-carry game he has ran the rock just 70 times in his NFL career. It was only his second game with double-digit carries and the first since the last game of the 2007 season.

He doesn’t even have a decorated collegiate career that we can draw from. He had one season with the Houston Cougars that he ran for 15 touchdowns, but only ran for 943 yards playing alongside Kevin Kolb.

One thing is for sure though. The Chiefs can move the ball on the ground. Despite the loss of Jamaal Charles they rank seventh in the league with 127.4 rushing yards per game and eighth in the league with a 4.6 yard per carry average. That’s in spite of a 2-3 record and having allowed nearly twice as many points as they scored.

Just don’t expect Jamaal Charles production from him. At 6-foot-2, 238 pounds he’s a totally different back. He also has some tough matchups coming up.

While he has two meetings, including Week 16, with the Raiders who currently rank 22nd with 122.8 yards allowed per game and another with Denver who ranks 23rd at 123.4 YPG, he has some tough draws.

Battle faces the Chargers, Patriots, Steelers, Bears, Jets, and Packers who can shut down a rushing game with their stout defense or take it out of the game with their potent offense.

Thomas Jones just doesn’t have it any more and Dexter McCluster isn’t a full-time back. That leaves the Chiefs and fantasy owners with Battle. He could have some tough weeks, but the big back should be owned in all leagues and should have the occasional big game.

Also check out:

• Week 7 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Week 7 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
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• Week 7 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Week 7 Fantasy Football Waiver Advice