Johnson Looks To Make History On Sunday
The Brotherhood wishes all of our readers a Happy New Year. Week 17 is by far the hardest of all of the weeks to assess. There are a million things in play this week from injuries, to playoff berths, to resting for the playoffs. I have struggled all week trying to read between the lines in coaching speak, trying to figure out who will play, for how long, and how much playing time under what circumstances. The Cardinals position players will either have everything to play for, or nothing to play for by the time their game rolls around at 4 o’clock based on what happens in the Minnesota game. The Cardinals could be playing for a first round bye. The AFC playoff picture has a ton of team on the outside looking in, with all involved playing for a win. After sifting through all of the playoff scenarios, you get to deal with the injuries. DeAngelo Williams,Steven Jackson and Michael Turner are the biggest names on the injured list. All likely will be game time decisions with Turner being the most likely to be out. All of the above factors are why I hate week 17 games, I won’t go on another rant, I promise. Here are the backs that didn’t make the list because they are very hard to predict and most are likely game time and in game decisions. Pay close attention to the active list tomorrow.
Be Concerned If You Own These 5
Joseph Addai – IND – RB
Addai has a hand injury, so he won’t play much.
Ricky Williams – MIA – RB
Williams injury appears to be more serious than initially thought, there has been talk of splitting carries with Lex Hilliard. This is a must win game for the Dolphins, I have a hard time believing that Williams will take a lesser role in a huge game.
DeAngelo Williams – CAR – RB
D.Will has not practiced this week, and after Stewart’s performance last week, why wouldn’t you shut him down?
LaDainian Tomlinson – SDC – RB
L.D.T. will play sparingly on Sunday. Stay away.
Beanie Wells – ARI – RB
It is starting to look like Well’s status hinges on if the Cardinals are playing for the number two seed, otherwise it could be a short day for Wells.
WEEK 17 RB RANKS
1) Chris Johnson – TEN – RB
Johnson is a man on a mission. 128 Rushing yards or bust.
2) Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC – RB
MJD gets a potentially great matchup against the number 28th ranked run defense
3) Ray Rice – BAL – RB
If Baltimore wins they are in, expect Rice to get a huge dose of touches against the Raider Run defense who are allowing 150 yards a game on the ground.
4) Adrian Peterson – MIN – RB
The Vikes are coming into Sunday with a must win mentality with a first round bid at stake. The Giants were torched by Jonathan Stewart for over 200 yards last weekend.
5) Frank Gore – SFO – RB
Gore is 91 rushing yards shy of having his best statistical season since 2006. He has already tied his career high in rushing touchdowns and has the most total touchdowns of his career. All of this despite having played in only 13 games.
6) Jamaal Charles – KAN – RB
Charles is 139 yards shy of 1,000 yards. Sunday he snapped his consecutive games with a touchdown at streak at 6 games.
7) Jerome Harrison – CLE – RB
Harrison continues to audition for the staring job in 2010.
8) Rashard Mendenhall – PIT – RB
Mendenhall’s team is in a must win situation, the Steelers get the 13th ranked Run-D of the Dolphins.
9) Jonathan Stewart – CAR – RB
Stewart absolutely embarrassed the Giants last week with his 208 yard ground torching.
10) Thomas Jones – NYJ – RB
The Jets continue to make their push for the playoffs but Jones has begun to split carries with Greene.
11) Cedric Benson – CIN – RB
Benson will likely play a few series before yielding to L.J., the Bengals don’t have much to play for this Sunday.
12) Jason Snelling – ATL – RB
Snelling had a potential golden matchup last weekend against the worst Run-D in the NFL and failed to deliver, no doubt killing owners. This week another great opportunity in the form of the 30th ranked Run defense of the Bucs comes this Sunday.
13) Ricky Williams – MIA – RB
Williams injury appears to be more serious than initially thought, there has been talk of splitting carries with Lex Hilliard. This is a must win game for the Dolphins, I have a hard time believing that Williams will take a lesser role in a huge game.
14) Ryan Grant – GRE – RB
Grant needs two rushing yards to establish a career high in rushing yards. Grant was passed over by many fantasy owners during this years draft because of his lack of touchdowns(Four) in 08. Grant rewarded owners with 10 this year through 15 games.
15) Steven Jackson – STL – RB
Jackson’s late scratch killed owners, he has yet to practice but he is a wait and see, the good news is he plays at one.
16) Matt Forte – CHI – RB
Forte was semi-impressive against the tough run-defense of the Vikings in week 16. Expect Forte to take out all of his frustration of his bad season out on the Lions Sunday.
17) Fred Jackson – BUF – RB
Jackson looks to get a jump on the number one RB job for 2010 and get as far ahead of Marshawn Lynch as he can.
18) Ahmad Bradshaw – NYG – RB
Bradshaw will get a ton of touches with Jacobs placed on the I.R.
19) Mike Bell – NOR – RB
Bell gets a huge bump with Pierre Thomas already declared out.
20) Marion Barber – DAL – RB
Having scored three touchdowns in the last two games MBIII looks to close out what can only be described as a very disappointing season fantasy football wise.
21) Arian Foster – HOU – RB
Foster had his breakout game a week later than most owners were hoping for rushing for 97 yards and added a score. Foster may even start against the Patriots Sunday.
22) Knowshon Moreno – DEN – RB
Moreno has struggled running the rock, but his head coach has laid part of the blame on the o-line saying they are not opening holes. Let’s see if calling out the O-line makes a difference this week against 31st ranked Run-D of the Chiefs.
23) Maurice Morris – DET – RB
Morris got shut down last week he looks to rebound against a lousy Bears run defense.
24) Mike Tolbert – SDC – RB
Tolbert will likely get a ton of work as the Chargers are going into full blown rest for the playoff mode.
25) Laurence Maroney – NEP – RB
Maroney finally fumbled away his playing time opportunity in week 16 coughing up the ball on the goal line. Maroney never returned to the field killing fantasy owners chances.
26) Quinton Ganther – WAS – RB
Ganther has not made the most of his opportunities after rushing for only 13 yards last week. This could be his last chance against a resting Chargers defense this week.
27) Justin Forsett – SEA – RB
Forsett continues to live and die with Julius Jones playing time.
28) Michael Bush – OAK – RB
Bush may start to lose carries to McFadden as the Raiders begin to evaluate what they have for next season.
29) Shonn Greene – NYJ – RB
Greene has begun to split carries with Jones, which can only be construed as either a future R.B.B.C. in the making or the Jets are looking to see what life would be without Jones in it next season.
30) LeSean McCoy – PHI – RB
McCoy is in a three way race for Rookie of the Year with Moreno and Wells. Westbrook’s return has turned the backfield situation into splitting the snaps into thirds.
31) Larry Johnson – CIN – RB
L.J. could see a ton of action depending on whether the Bengals need to win or not.
32) Brandon Jackson – GRE – RB
Jackson was Action Jackson last weekend scoring three touchdowns. Jackson could get even more playing time if the Packers decide to lay down and rest their starters.
33) Reggie Bush – NOR – RB
Bush will likely start the game but Bell will get most of the playing time.
34) Chester Taylor – MIN – RB
Taylor could get a lot of playing time Sunday if the Vikes pull ahead of the Giants like the Panthers did last week.
35) Sammy Morris – NEP – RB
Morris played very well after coming in for Fumbles Maroney.
36) Cadillac Williams – TAM – RB
With Ward’s balky knee acting up, Williams looks to get a ton of carries again in week 17 against the Falcons who are ranked 18th in stopping the run.
37) Darren Sproles – SDC – RB
Sproles could get a ton of action if the Chargers stay true to their plan, but Sproles could also be held back as well since the Chargers are kind of dindged up at RB.
38) Tim Hightower – ARI – RB
Hightower could get all of the carries if the Cardinals have nothing to play for, and will attempt to rest Wells.
39) Darren McFadden – OAK – RB
McFadden is likely auditioning for playing time and a role heading into the future. He is hurtling at breakneck speed towards the bust label.
40) Ryan Moats – HOU – RB
Moats will see some action but how much will depend on how well Foster plays.
41) Brian Westbrook – PHI – RB
Westbrook is being worked back slowly into the snap rotation, expect him to get around a third of the snaps.
42) Julius Jones – SEA – RB
Jones continues to battle rib injuries and kill Forsett’s value. What a combo.
43) Marshawn Lynch – BUF – RB
Lynch looks to put his trainwreck season behind him and hope he can at least rush for 50 yards to get him to the 500 yard mark after back to back thousand yard seasons.
44) Chris Jennings – CLE – RB
Jennings has been relegated to Harrison’s back up.
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