NFL Week 14 Predictions: Projecting the Week's Top RB Performances

Though sometimes a talented running back will have big games week after week, regardless of opponent, the position lends itself to favorable matchups.

Such is the case for the following four running backs who I project will have 100-plus yard days in Week 14. The combination of their considerable talent and the weak defenses they're up against makes them nearly guaranteed to contribute to their respective teams in a major way.

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (vs. St. Louis Rams)

It's a perfect storm for Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch to put up his sixth 100-plus yard game this week, as his team hosts the St. Louis Rams and their dead-last rushing defense.

Lynch has been on fire since Week 5. In that time, he's been held to fewer than 88 yards just once and has managed either a rushing or receiving touchdown in every game.

On the year, Lynch has rushed 202 times for 854 yards and eight touchdowns and has caught 20 passes for 170 yards and another touchdown. He's already surpassed both his yardage and touchdown totals from 2010, and he is averaging a total of 93.1 yards per game.

At the same time, the Rams are giving up an average of 157.8 yards on the ground every week. Unstoppable both at home and on the road, Lynch is in for well over 100 yards in total offense this week and should manage at least one touchdown and perhaps more.

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons (at Carolina Panthers)

Running backs have had little trouble gaining yards on the struggling Carolina Panthers defense this season, who are allowing a per-game average of 132.5 yards on the ground.

Though the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Turner won't likely match the 1,371 rushing yards he put up in 2010, he's likely to add another 100-yard day to the five he's had already this season.

Turner's production has been up-and-down this year, but it's been mostly up. While he rushed just 14 times for 44 yards in last week's loss to the Houston Texans, that's definitely no indicator that he's in a slump, and he should bounce back impressively against the Panthers this Sunday.

Turner is consistently one of the highest-producing and versatile running backs in the league, posing a threat on the ground and in the air year after year. He's likely to be the the Carolina defense's biggest problem this week, making big gains at will.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has been having a down season and won't likely come close to matching his 1,274 rushing yardage total from 2010. But his team's matchup this Thursday against the Cleveland Browns presents the best opportunity for him to notch his second 100-plus yard day of the season.

This year, Mendenhall has rushed just 169 times for 634 yards and eight touchdowns as the Steelers continue their transition into one of the more elite passing teams in the league.

But with the Browns allowing 151.3 rushing yards per game this year, Pittsburgh will likely turn to Mendenhall more than usual as they search for yet another divisional win.

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers (at Arizona Cardinals)

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore had an astounding five-game streak of 100-plus-yard rushing days this season, but the hot streak appears to have tempered a bit as the season has worn on.

Gore hasn't rushed for 100 or more yards since Week 9, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 8. But with the Arizona Cardinals up next for the NFC West champions, he should have more than a good opportunity to turn things around.

So far this season, Gore has rushed 224 times for 982 yards and five touchdowns and has caught 16 passes for 101 yards. With more of the Niners' receivers getting healthy, he hasn't been needed in the passing game so much as of late.

But that won't matter this week, as Gore can easily add another 100-yard rushing performance on his season against a Cardinal defense giving up an average of 119.4 rushing yards per game. The first time the two teams met, in Week 11, Gore rushed 24 times for 88 yards.

Gore should put up at least 88 yards this week and will likely add one of those elusive touchdown on the day as well.