Fantasy analysis of RBBC for Week 4

Welcome to the fourth installment of our weekly look at fantasy’s most aggravating subject, the Running Back Committee. Bill Belichick has once again reared his ugly head.

DIVISIONAL SCOREBOARD

• 49ers 36, Saints 32
• Patriots 45, Broncos 10
• Ravens 20, Texans 13
• Giants 37, Packers 20

COMMITTEES (9)

Carolina Panthers

Options: Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams

Outlook: The carries were split down the middle, with each back getting 10, but once again Stewart (59 yards) looked superior to Williams (18). Despite the disparity, head coach Ron Rivera said on Monday that the backs will continue to share the Panthers’ workload, noting that some big runs are “a block away” for Williams. Maybe if he ran better, those blocks wouldn’t need to be so perfect. Bench Williams until you see some production.

Green Bay Packers

Options: James Starks, Ryan Grant, John Kuhn

Outlook: Last week, Starks looked like the clear leader in this race. Against the Bears in Week 3, Starks carried 11 times for five yards and lost a fumble, while Grant stepped up his game, gaining 92 yards on 17 carries. It’s hard to predict which one of these guys will lead the way against the Broncos in Week 4, so let’s call it a straight platoon for now unless Grant bruised kidney is more serious than the Packers are letting on. Both backs can be used as flex starts if healthy. Kuhn didn’t vulture any short-yardage scores away from anyone this week, which was nice of him.

Indianapolis Colts

Options: Joseph Addai, Delone Carter

Outlook: Addai carried 17 times for 86 yards and a score against the Steelers, while Carter’s rising fantasy star hit a plateau with four carries for 11 yards. Addai’s superior pass-blocking skills don’t hurt his cause, and until we see or hear that the Colts will change things up again, you probably need to keep Carter on your bench.

Kansas City Chiefs

Options: Thomas Jones, Dexter McCluster

Outlook: In Week 1 A.J. (After Jamaal), Jones and McCluster had 14 touches apiece against the Chargers, with McCluster getting busier in the second half after Jones had an ineffective start. Just remember that while McCluster is explosive, he’s also 170 pounds soaking wet and with rolls of quarters in his pockets. He caught five passes for 17 yards in addition to his nine carries for 45 yards, and is worth starting in PPR leagues. Just don’t expect head coach Todd Haley to start giving him a full workload, because it’s probably not going to happen.

Miami Dolphins

Options: Daniel Thomas, Reggie Bush

Outlook: Thomas has 41 rushes and 202 yards in his last two games, and is a no-doubt fantasy starter at this point. Bush, on the other hand, caught only one pass on Sunday, and should be benched in most formats for the time being. If nothing changes in this situation, you might not see a Dolphins entry here next week.

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New England Patriots

Options: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Stevan Ridley, Danny Woodhead

Outlook: You knew this team would create fantasy chaos in the backfield eventually. Ridley (seven carries, 44 yards) had a solid second half against the Bills, outgaining The Law Firm (nine carries, 16 yards) for the day. Picking up Ridley wouldn’t be a terrible idea, but if you want to count on a running back in a three-headed committee on a team that’s throwing 66 percent of the time, go right ahead. I’ll pass.

New Orleans Saints

Options: Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas

Outlook: Sproles again flexed his PPR muscles, with six catches for 50 yards, and added a 30-yard TD run in the first quarter against the Texans. Ingram had 11 touches (including a 13-yard rushing TD) to Thomas’ eight, meaning that this situation really hasn’t changed. Ingram and Thomas will again be no better than flex starts in Week 4 against the Jaguars, with Ingram a slightly better option. Thomas is a nice player, but it’s hard to start a fantasy back averaging less than 10 touches per game.

New York Giants

Options: Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs

Outlook: Bradshaw (15 carries, 86 yards; five receptions, 53 yards) was the lead dog against the Eagles, though Jacobs (seven carries, 19 yards; two receptions, 42 yards, TD) was productive for his fantasy owners as well. Bradshaw has 62.9 percent of the touches between the two this season, making the workload disparity look a lot like it did last year. Jacobs is a guy you should start when the matchup is good, and the Cardinals’ 27th-ranked run defense presents a favorable one for him this week.

San Diego Chargers

Options: Ryan Mathews, Mike Tolbert

Outlook: Mathews was a monster against the Chiefs, with 21 carries for 98 yards and two scores, along with four catches for 51 yards. Tolbert was a relative non-entity, with 19 yards on four carries and three receptions for 24 yards. On Monday, San Diego Union-Tribune Chargers’ beat writer Kevin Acee was asked on Twitter if Tolbert’s fantasy relevance was “over.” Acee said no, but added that Sunday’s game “was a sign of things to come.” If you own Mathews, you’re probably going to be very happy as long as he stays healthy. Tolbert’s owners shouldn’t quit on him, and might even want to start him against the Dolphins in PPR leagues. However, it’s time to worry after such a promising start. He looks like the second banana.

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INJURY ISSUES (6)

Arizona Cardinals

Options: Beanie Wells, Alfonso Smith, Chester Taylor

Outlook: Wells was a late scratch in Week 3 due to a hamstring injury suffered last Thursday in practice, but early indications are that he’ll be back this week against the Giants. In Wells’ absence, an ineffective Taylor was basically pulled in favor of Smith, who had 54 yards on 17 carries. Smith appears to be Beanie’s new handcuff.

Cleveland Browns

Options: Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty

Outlook: Hillis was kept out of Sunday’s game due to a case of strep throat, and Hardesty filled in admirably with 67 yards on 14 carries (and three catches for 19 yards). Hillis should return in Week 4, but the Browns were talking about getting Hardesty more involved in the offense even before Hillis got sick. Don’t worry too much if you own Hillis, but let’s keep an eye on this one.

Denver Broncos

Options: Knowshon Moreno, Willis McGahee

Outlook: Moreno was activated against the Titans after missing Week 2 due to a hamstring injury, but head coach John Fox said later that he only planned to use an “almost completely healthy” Moreno in an emergency situation. The Broncos have a tough matchup at Green Bay this week, and you’ll probably want to keep Moreno on the fantasy bench unless the Broncos say something positive about him with regard to their gameplan. Moreno owners should stay patient – don’t count him out yet, no matter how frustrated you might be right now.

Houston Texans

Options: Arian Foster, Ben Tate, Derrick Ward

Outlook: Foster (hamstring) and Ward (ankle) were once again inactive, leaving Tate (19 carries, 82 yards) with all the work. Even when Foster returns – this week seems likely – Tate is going to get plenty of work until Foster proves he’s completely healthy. After that happens, Tate probably won’t just disappear. If you own Foster, play him when you see him activated, and keep your fingers crossed. It’s not like you can trade him for a good return at this point, so hang on and hope he gets his mojo back.

San Francisco 49ers

Options: Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter

Outlook: An ineffective Gore said that he played with an ankle injury in the second half against the Bengals, and doesn’t know if he’ll be available to face the Eagles in Week 4. Hunter will probably be worth a fantasy start if Gore can’t play, but before you get crazy about predicting Gore’s demise, read this article by the 49ers’ excellent beat writer Matt Maiocco, who points out (among other things) that Hunter averaged fewer than three yards per carry in Week 3 as well. If you can find a frustrated Gore owner, buy low now.

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• Ryan Fowler
• Joel Beall
• Mike Harmon
• John Halpin

St. Louis Rams

Options: Steven Jackson, Cadillac Williams, Jerious Norwood

Outlook: Jackson was active after missing Week 2 due to a quad injury, but carried only four times against the nasty Ravens. If Jackson is back at full strength this week, look for him to send Caddy back to fantasy irrelevance.

WTF??? (1)

Cincinnati Bengals

Options: Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard

Outlook: Benson is reportedly in New York today to appeal his three-game suspension (he was arrested for assaulting a former roommate during the lockout). If Benson’s suspension is upheld, he’ll miss Weeks 4, 5 and 6, with the Bengals having a bye in Week 7. Look for Bernard Scott to get most of Benson’s carries against the not-so-scary Bills, Jaguars and Colts. Scott should be a free-agent target this week – he’s worth the gamble until/unless we get confirmation that Benson’s appeal is successful.