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Willis McGahee RB Ravens – After more or less falling off the fantasy radar, McGahee got off to a blazing start in 2009 scoring six touchdowns in his first three games. His past two games have been a different story though, as he has compiled just 26 total yards to go along with a fluke TD reception. I don’t own McGahee in any of my leagues, but if I did, I would make sure I left him on the bench for Week 6. Baltimore travels to Minnesota to take on the Vikings who have yet to allow a rushing TD all season, and with Ray Rice looking more and more like the total package at RB, McGahee is more likely to be considered drop-able before he is again considered start-able.

Jamal Lewis RB Browns – After his pretty impressive 31 carry 117 yard performance last week against Buffalo, I felt the need to include JLew in this section to make sure that you aren’t considering starting him thinking he can repeat his performance. Cleveland’s offense is third to last in points per game and second to last in yards per game, and when you combine that with the fact that the Steelers are second best in the NFL against the run (allowing just over 70 yards per game on the ground) you have to leave Lewis on your bench this week. You’ll be able to use the former felon against easier opponents (such as Green Bay at home in Week 7), but you need to leave out of your lineup against the defending Super Bowl champs.

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Cedric Benson RB Bengals -If at the beginning of the season I would have told you that Cedric Benson would be leading the league in rushing heading into week 6, you’d have probably asked me what I was smoking. No one in their right mind could have seen this coming and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to think he’ll start to slow down, especially not this week when the Texans visit Cincinnati. Houston is allowing over 140 yards per game on the ground and have already given up a league worst nine rushing touchdowns. I can’t really think of any scenarios (besides an injury) where Benson doesn’t rush for at least 100 yds and a TD. He should be considered a top 5 RB this week, and a top 10 RB the rest of the year.

Kevin Walter WR Texans -Yahoo! sports came out with a great article that talked about how the Cinci defense has shut down opposing #1 WRs during the first 5 weeks, allowing a combined 5 receptions to Brandon Marshall, Greg Jennings, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, and Derrick Mason. These numbers don’t paint the whole picture though, as the Bengals are still allowing almost 230 passing yards per game, meaning that guys are still producing against thier secondary. Here is where Kevin Walter comes in - in his last game against Cinci he caught five balls for 70 yards and two TDs, and is sure to benefit from Andre Johnson attracting most of the attention from the Bengals secondary. I like Walter as a top 15 WR this week, and at minimum should be good for 75 yards and a TD.

Rashard Mendenhall RB Steelers - With starting RB Willie Parker out for Week 4 with a bad case of turf toe, Skokie’s own had the game of his career this past Sunday night against the Chargers. Mendenhall ran for 165 yards on 29 carries and two TDs. The Niles West HS graduate was able to get the Steelers’ running game going for the first time all season, something that FWP had failed to do as he averaged just over 3 yards per carry (way down from his career average of 4.3 YPC). As I am writing this, Parker’s Week 5 status is unknown, but even if he plays, I still think Mendenhall has to be in your lineups. Pittsburgh heads into Detroit to take on a Lions defense that is allowing over 120 yards on the ground, and there should be plenty of carries to go around. There is also no way that Parker is 100% come Sunday, and after carrying the Steelers in Week 4, I’m excited to see what Mendenhall does for an encore in Week 5.

Glen Coffee RB 49ers - Frank Gore is again expected to sit out this week as he continues to recover from foot injuries, which means that Glen Coffee should get another full slate of carries in Week 5.  The third round pick out of Alabama had a decent week 4, compiling 106 total yards – 74 on the ground and 32 through the air. Coffee has a great match up this week as the Falcons come to town, and while their defense looks pretty solid on paper, they have yet to show that they can stop the run. Atlanta is allowing 136 rushing yards per game, meaning that Coffee could be in for a field day on Sunday. You can definitely expect another 100 total yard day from the rookie RB, and I’d be surprised if he didn’t find the end zone at least once.

Knowshon Moreno RB Broncos - With news that Correll Buckhalter will miss some time with a sprained ankle, Moreno automatically becomes THE man in Denver. The first year stud out of Georgia had been splitting carries with Buckhalter, but will now be carrying the load for at least the next couple weeks. Wit that being said, Moreno faces somewhat of a tough task this week, as the Patriots and their 11th ranked rush defense visit Invesco Field at Mile High. New England is allowing less than 100 yards a game on the ground, but with the job all to himself, I still believe that Moreno will be able to produce on Sunday.

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Reggie Bush/Pierre Thomas/Mike Bell RB Saints – The New Orleans backfield situation is turning into a fantasy nightmare. With news that Bell will continue to receive carries when Thomas returns from injury, the fantasy value of both RBs take a hit. Bell rushed for 143 yards on 28 carries against the Lions, but with Thomas claiming that he will be back for Week 2, I cant see either RB getting more than 15 carries. Not to be forgotten in this trio is Reggie Bush, but he no longer seems like a reliable option after only carrying the ball seven times in Week 1 (except in PPR leagues as he did most of his damage through the air). Be wary of all of your Saints’ RBs against the Eagles in Week 2.

Correll Buckhalter, Knowshown Moreno, Lamont Jordan, Peyton Hillis RB Broncos - Similar to what is happening in New Orleans, Denver also plans on sharing the load at running back. Correll Buckhalter ended up starting the game and received eight carries, while rookie sensation Knowshon Moreno carried the rock eight times as well. Lamont Jordan also got in the mix with a couple carries, and Peyton Hillis ran the ball once. The fact that there are four capable RBs is just bad news for fantasy owners, as you won’t be able to rely on any of these guys on Sundays. Moreno was supposed to be the feature back, but a MCL injury during training camp forced the Broncos to go in a different direction. Although the match up is enticing in Week 2 with Cleveland coming to town, stay away from the Broncos RBs until someone emerges as the true #1.

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Chris Johnson/Lendale White RB Titans – The Titans’ ground game wasn’t able to do a whole lot on the road against the defending Super Bowl champs, but things should change in Week 2 againt Houston. The Texans were simply unable to stop the run in Week 1 against the Jets, allowing 190 yards and a couple TDs on the ground. CJ is an obvious must start, but I think there will so many yards to go around that Lendale White also makes for a good play on Sunday. Prediction: CJ – 115 total yards and a TD, Lendale – 65 total yards and two TDS.

Steve Smith WR Panthers – Smith and the rest of the Carolina attack had a dreadful Week 1, putting up a pretty pathetic 169 yards of total offense against the Eagles. I like Smith to bounce back in Week 2 though, as he gets to face off against an Atlanta Falcons secondary that he absolutely torched last season (14 catches, 264 yards, and a TD in two games). I’ll admit that QB Jake Delhomme is far from a sure thing, but as long as he is able to stay on his feet, Smith should be in line for a big day.  Prediction: 7 catches, 105 yards and a TD

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Larry Johnson RB Chiefs -It’s amazing how someone’s value can plummet in such a short time, as LJ was a no-doubt-about-it first round pick only a couple years back, and now has an ADP (Average Draft Position) of 51 according to MockDraftCentral.com. He is not someone I want in my starting lineup for Week 1, as Kansas City heads into Baltimore to face the Ravens and their timultuous run defense. Also, no one is quite sure how rookie head coach Todd Haley plans to use Johnson in the running game, and considering the match up, I would leave him on the bench until his role becomes more defined.

Jamal Lewis RB Browns - There were some rumors flying around last week that Lewis might not make the Brown’s 2009 roster, something you never want to hear about a player on your fantasy roster. Lewis ended up surviving the cut, but similar to LJ above, no one is really sure how many carries Lewis will get at this point and how head coach Eric Mangina will implement rookie sensation James Davis into the offense. When you factor in that Minnesota and their #1 ranked (2008) rush defense visit Cleveland Browns Stadium in Week 1, you gotta leave Jlew on your bench unless you’re absolutely desperate.

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Reggie Bush RB Saints – I love Bush, Reggie Bush that is. With Pierre Thomas very questionable for Week 1, it looks like he and Mike Bell will carry the load against Detroit. The Lions were dead last in rushing yards allowed per game last season (over 170!) and haven’t done anything to significantly turn things around. It’s a given that the Saints are going to light up the scoreboard, and Bush is sure to be heavily involved in the offense. I would be shocked if he finished with anything less than 100 total yards and a TD.

Cedric Benson RB Bengals -Ya ya ya, I know, I know – Its Cedric Benson – hear me out though – The former Bears’ bust has the RB job all to himself this year, and with QB Carson Palmer returning from injury could be in line for a pretty productive season. Benson has a great match up in Week 1, as Cincinnati hosts the Broncos who gave up 146 yards on the ground last season. I wouldn’t call Benson an every week guy by any means, but he can definitely help you out if you pick your spots wisely, and you can start him with confidence in Week 1.