Week 9 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Ryan Torain and More RBs to Shun

Before you bench any running back, you have to ask yourself one question:

Do I really want to do this?

This can be a tough question to answer, as it is ingrained in the mind of every fantasy owner that running backs are where the points come from. If you bench any running back, the possibility exists that you will miss out on points, lose and then get mocked by your leaguemates.

But fret not, guy who lives in fear of mockery. I am here to help. While you must continue to be wary of which running backs you bench in the future, the five guys listed below are guaranteed to disappoint in Week 9. They must be benched.

Jackie Battle, Kansas City Chiefs

It's been a couple weeks now since Jackie Battle burst onto the scene with a 100-yard game against the Indianapolis Colts, but he hasn't had one since then.

The Chiefs are playing the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, and I actually don't like the matchup. The Dolphins are awful, but they've only allowed one 100-yard rusher this year, and have actually only allowed two rushing touchdowns to running backs.

Don't take your chances with this matchup.

Hey, He's Right Tweet:

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

The last time I recommended benching Mendenhall, he rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown. Inconsiderate jerk.

This time, I expect Mendenhall to honor my advice. He and the Steelers are facing the Baltimore Ravens, who have the No. 3 rushing defense in the league. They're allowed just two rushing touchdowns to running backs all season, and have allowed just one 100-yard rusher.

Besides, I like how Pittsburgh's passing game is playing these days.

Dumbass Tweet:

Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns

The good news is that Peyton Hillis was able to practice on Thursday, and the Associated Press reports that he expects to play on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Don't get too excited, though. Hillis has been a huge disappointment when he's been on the field this season, and you have to worry how his hamstring is going to hold up.

Making matters worse is the fact that the Texans have the league's sixth-ranked defense.

The Curse Lives! Tweet:

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Lynch has scored touchdowns in three straight weeks, and thank goodness he has. Yards have been hard to come by for him, which has a lot to do with Seattle's terrible offense.

On Sunday, Lynch and the Seahawks will be facing the Dallas Cowboys, who were last seen giving up 185 yards rushing to LeSean McCoy. Before you get all wired up, just know that the Cowboys still have the league's fourth-ranked rush defense.

Besides, Lynch is no McCoy. Few running backs are.

At Least He's Positive Tweet:

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins

Who knows what the Redskins are going to do at running back against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday? They could start Ryan Torain again, they could give more carries to rookie Roy Helu, or they could choose to go with new pickup Tashard Choice.

This amount of uncertainty would be enough to bench Torain, but his cause is not helped by the fact that he has kind of sucked in his last three games. In fact, he's done virtually nothing since his breakout game against the St. Louis Rams a couple weeks ago.

As such, expecting him to do anything against the 49ers and their top-ranked rush defense is the epitome of foolishness.

That's Not Good Tweet: