NFL Week 11 Predictions: Projecting the Best Ground Performances

Week 11 is going to be a great week for watching some old-school smash mouth football. As we know, the passing game has become the more luxurious way to move the football.

However, the need of a stud RB is still required to win games. That said, here are four RBs with great matchups who destroy on the ground.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings (vs Raiders)

The Raiders allow over 130 rush yards per game and Minnesota averages almost 150 rush yards per game. And even if Oakland tries to stack the box against Adrian Peterson it won't make too much of a difference.

Teams have been doing that to him all season with limited success, and with a weak pass defense to boot, the Raiders need to focus on not letting Christian Ponder get the best of them either. To that end, Peterson will dominate early on and often.

In addition, he'll also have some success in receiving yards on check-downs as well as in the flats to act as Ponder's safety outlet.

Projection: 165 rush yards, two TDs

Matt Forte, Bears (vs Chargers)

The Bears and Chargers have similar offensive philosophies because each rely on one guy to be "the man," so to speak. San Diego relies on QB Philip Rivers to an extreme extent as does Chicago with RB Matt Forte.

Forte is acting as the next great RB in offensive coordinator Mike Martz's West Coast offense. When with the Rams, he utilized now hall-of-famer Marshall Faulk, and so Forte is his next protege.

And the Bears will use him well against the Bolts, who allow almost 130 rush yards per game. Not to mention that the Chargers are even worse in road games. If Forte doesn't top 125 total yards, consider it a disappointment.

Projection: 125 rush yards, two TDs

DeMarco Murray, Cowboys (at Redskins)

Until a defense actually completely blanks Dallas rookie RB DeMarco Murray, he's always going to be projecting some big numbers. In the last four games, Murray has compiled 601 rush yards and the Redskins allow just over 120 per game.

The Cowboys have a dynamic offense that looks much healthier than it did early on. Murray will dominate once again. Even if Washington stacks the box it won't work because that leaves their defense vulnerable to the pass against a great passing offense.

Therefore, not only does Murray explode once again, but he has his first multi-TD game.

Projection: 135 rush yards, two TDs

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (at Browns)

To say that Jags' RB Maurice Jones-Drew is having a great season wouldn't do him justice for his efforts. Not only is MJD the sole legitimate offensive weapon, but Jacksonville ranks No. 32 in passing offense, as well.

And Maurice still bowls through defenses, as evidence by averaging almost 95 rush yards per game. This week, the Jaguars make the trip to Cleveland where they face a Browns defense that allows over 140 rush yards per game (ranked No. 30).

So not only will MJD rule the day once again, but he gets his first multi-TD game of 2011. Cleveland may have a solid pass defense, but that's only because no one bothers to throw against them when running the ball is more effective.

Projection: 150 rush yards, three TDs

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