There’s nothing better than having great running backs facing terrible defenses. There’s plenty of that this week as LeSean McCoy faces the Redskins, Marshawn Lynch takes on the Vikings, Reggie Bush plays the Steelers, Jamaal Charles challenges the Broncos, and Frank Gore battles the Saints. All of those guys are must-starts as always and should see plenty of green.
The Cards figure to run plenty of the woeful Jags defense but neither of their two running backs has been consistent. Danny Woodhead has a great matchup against the Dolphins, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles have a favorable matchup against the Niners, and Alfred Morris should have no problem against the Eagles.
I would stay away from Ray Rice, Trent Richardson, or any of the Panthers running backs if possible, none have been consistent nor good.
On the unfavorable side, C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, Stevan Ridley, Lamar Miller, and Steven Jackson should remain on your bench this week. Chris Ivory has been inconsistently used so it’s tough to start him as well. Knowshon Moreno is a tricky one but could see plenty of volume if the Broncos take a strong lead. Adrian Peterson, Eddie Lacy, and Andre Brown remain must-starts this week despite unfavorable matchups.
Let’s take a look at all of the running back matchups for Week 11.
View Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 11 Opponents |
|
1 |
11.45 | Ravens | Matt Forte |
|
2 |
12.77 | Jets | C.J. Spiller, Fred Jackson |
|
3 |
13.19 | Cardinals | Maurice Jones-Drew |
|
4 |
13.6 | Colts | Chris Johnson, Shonn Greene |
|
5 |
13.78 | Bengals | Chris Ogbonnaya, Willis McGahee |
|
6 |
13.82 | Bills | Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell |
|
7 |
14.4 | Chiefs | Knowshon Moreno, Montee Ball |
|
8 |
14.4 | Panthers | Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen |
|
9 |
15.43 | Seahawks | Adrian Peterson |
|
10 |
15.54 | Chargers | Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas |
|
11 |
15.55 | Giants | Eddie Lacy |
|
12 |
16.08 | Buccaneers | Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers |
|
13 |
16.39 | Packers | Andre Brown |
|
14 |
16.52 | Raiders | Ben Tate, Dennis Johnson |
|
15 |
16.6 | Texans | Rashad Jennings, Marcel Reece, Darren McFadden (Q) |
|
16 |
17.23 | Lions | Le’Veon Bell |
|
17 |
17.29 | Falcons | Brian Leonard, Bobby Rainey |
|
18 |
17.34 | Browns | Gio Bernard, BenJarvus Green-Ellis |
|
19 |
17.52 | Eagles | Alfred Morris |
|
20 |
18.1 | Patriots | DeAngelo Williams, Mike Tolbert, Jonathan Stewart |
|
21 |
18.2 | 49ers | Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram |
|
22 |
18.25 | Saints | Frank Gore |
|
23 |
18.84 | Broncos | Jamaal Charles |
|
24 |
19.6 | Cowboys | BYE |
|
25 |
21.15 | Titans | Trent Richardson, Donald Brown |
|
26 |
21.55 | Bears | Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce |
|
27 |
21.7 | Steelers | Reggie Bush, Joique Bell |
|
28 |
21.7 | Vikings | Marshawn Lynch |
|
29 |
22.63 | Redskins | LeSean McCoy |
|
30 |
23.0 | Rams | BYE |
|
31 |
23.25 | Dolphins | Danny Woodhead, Ryan Mathews |
|
32 |
23.9 | Jaguars | Rashard Mendenhall, Andre Ellington |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
View Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
