NFL Predictions Week 8: Chris Johnson Will Rush for 100 Yards vs. Colts

I know what you're thinking, there's just no way Chris Johnson is going to rush for 100 yards. Not after what we've seen from him this season.

Yup, there's no point in denying that Johnson has had a pretty terrible season. The same guy who rushed for over 2,000 yards a couple of seasons ago has been mired in a slump from the get-go and is currently averaging less than three yards per carry. To boot, he just hasn't looked like himself. Perhaps his pockets are too heavy after signing that fat contract just before the start of the season.

However, there is hope for Johnson. As bad as he's been this season, he can rest easy knowing that he has a very favorable matchup against the Indianapolis Colts coming up on Sunday. The Colts have struggled against the run for years and things aren't much different this year.

To date, the Colts are allowing a little over 150 rushing yards per game, which is good for 31st in the NFL. To boot, they were last seen allowing over 200 rushing yards to the New Orleans Saints, who are not exactly known for their ability to run the football.

If you ask me, the Colts represent exactly what Johnson needs to see right now, and that's an opportunity. After all the struggles he's gone through this season, Johnson could use a nice cupcake matchup and he's going to get one on Sunday.

Besides, you have to think that the old CJ is still somewhere in there. We saw flashes of the old CJ when he ran for over 100 yards against the Cleveland Browns earlier this month, but we still haven't seen him break one of his trademark long runs. The longest run CJ has broken this year was for a mere 25 yards.

For what it's worth, CJ maintains that he hasn't lost any speed. He doesn't think that's his problem.

"People should worry about me losing burst once I get in the open field and somebody catching me..." Johnson said, per the Associated Press. "I don't feel I've been in the open field enough times for anybody to question my burst or anything like that."

Getting into the open field might not be asking too much of Johnson against the Colts, whose front seven is below average.

So I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that it's going to happen. Johnson will break a 40- or 50-yarder and after that it will pretty much be smooth sailing.

At least, compared to what Johnson has already gone through this year, anyway.

Prediction: 23 carries, 120 yards, one TD.