NFL Week 11 Predictions: Projecting the Week's Top RB Performances

Not every team has a dominant feature back, but those that do know to make him a major focus of their respective offenses. Some teams rely solely on their rusher to be their primary source of yards and points, while others make him just a part of their team's overall offense.

No matter his respective team's philosophy, this week, five of the league's best running backs also face choice matchups, setting the stage for them to have big yardage, high-scoring outings.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

It seems like the only thing the Jacksonville offense has going for it is its running back, Maurice Jones-Drew.

He's rushed for 80 or more yards in eight of his nine games, with a total of 191 carries for 854 yards and four scores on the season. He's also caught 15 passes for 108 yards as a legitimate target for rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Expect more of the same from Jones-Drew when his team takes on the Cleveland Browns this Sunday. Though he's not scoring as often as he'd like, or as he should (given his overall numbers), he should find the end zone once and have at least 100 rushing yards on the day.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Though Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was stifled by the Green Bay Packers offense in Week 10 while also being supplanted for the passing game as the team fell deeper and deeper into a hole, he's the one of the best rushers in the league and should bounce back in a big way against the Oakland Raiders this Sunday.

Peterson has 181 carries for 849 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season, with another score and 125 yards from 16 receptions.

The Raiders defense ranks 27th against the run, which bodes well for Peterson's chances to have his fourth 100-plus-yard rushing game on the year.

Add to that a score or two and it's an equation for a dominating day from the already legedary Peterson.

Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants

With Ahmad Bradshaw likely out for another week, the majority of the New York Giants rushing offense will fall to Brandon Jacobs yet again, and with the Philadelphia Eagles on tap for Sunday, he should have an impressive day.

Though the Giants focus more on their passing game than running the ball, the weak Philadelphia defense should provide him ample opportunity to break out big gains. Against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, he managed 55 yards on 18 rushes and two receptions for 17 yards—not bad against such a solid defense.

On the season, Jacobs has 78 carries for 253 yards and three touchdowns and another 104 yards and a score on 11 receptions. As the primary back while Bradshaw is sidelined with injury, his numbers have risen, with 72 rushing yards in Week 9, plus those 55 last week.

He should have another 65-75 yards this week and a score; for Jacobs, that's a very big day indeed.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Bears running back Matt Forte is the biggest contributor to his team's offense, with 166 carries for 869 yards and three touchdowns and 42 receptions for 439 yards and a score on the season.

His 64-yard performance last week against the Detroit Lions is the first time since Week 3 that Forte has been held to under 100 yards.

He should bounce back well this week, though, with the San Diego Chargers coming to town. The 27th-ranked San Diego defense has struggled all season long, and with Forte a major threat in both the passing and running game, he will easily go over 100 total yards with at least one touchdown this week.

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

Though fellow Dallas running back Felix Jones is slated to return from the ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined since Week 6, DeMarco Murray won't be losing his starting role after a more than impressive four-game stretch that saw him run for an astounding 601 yards for two touchdowns.

No matter the opposing defense, Murray manages to produce. And with the Washington Redskins ahead, he will yet again have another 100-plus-yard rushing day.

Murray is one of the 2011 season's biggest surprises. The nearly unstoppable back has showed no signs of slowing, and while Jones might get 10 carries on Sunday, Murray's 20-25 touches should net him some serious yardage.