Running Backs

Start’em

Chris Johnson, Titans

You’re obviously starting Chris Johnson if you drafted him, but for those of you trying to get cute with your lineups, one word of advice: don’t! I traded him on week 5 the year he went crazy and emerged onto the fantasy scene.  Let’s just say I regretted every second. Just give CJ2K some time, because his schedule after the bye week is quite favorable. Plus, few players have the ability to break open a big run like Johnson does, and that alone is worth the wait.

Ryan Matthews, Chargers

The guy has finally arrived, and he just might be here to stay as long as Mike Tolbert doesn’t sneak in to vulture any goal line carries. This week against the Dolphins is going to be Matthews’ make-or-break game in my opinion.  If he is able to come through with a solid outing, then he should get the bulk of the carries the rest of the season.

Read the rest of my fantasy picks after the jump …

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We here at Naptown’s Finest have just awoken from our turkey-and-gravy-induced comas so let’s get back to business: Colts vs. Falcons, Thanksgiving night.

It may be too soon to say this, but the Colts may be back into something resembling rhythm. Marvin Harrison’s still questionable for the Jags game this coming Sunday, but it was great to see the o-line backups (Tony Ugoh and Ryan Diem were still out) were able to step up their games and deliver decent pocket-protection for Peyton Manning.

Speaking of Manning, coming off a horrendous three-game stretch (including a record six INTs in one game) he finally found some rhythm with a somewhat rejuvenated receiving corps, connecting on TDs with Reggie Wayne for 23 yards, Dallas Clark for 8 yards and even Ben Utecht for 5 yards. Anthony Gonzalez really stepped up from being there for the short dishes to making big plays (35-yard and 32-yard catches, respectively) to set up two of Manning’s three Q2 TDs, finally claiming that coveted “3rd receiver” he’d not quite earned so far this season with injury and Clark’s demanding presence on the field. He had only one INT on the night (ATL’s DeAngelo Hall), but still finished with a solid 272 yards passing.

The rushing game kept improving Thursday night as both Joseph Addai and Kenton Keith put up good numbers, Keith leading with 74 yards on 17 carries; Addai with 44 yards on 10 carries and a rushing TD. Addai did receive a neck injury in the Q2 but returend shortly afterwards.

Special teams didn’t do anything wrong, so we couldn’t ask for more from them. Adam Vinatieri even made some of those FGs he forgot how to make over the last few weeks.

And the defense was its same ole self, especially when Antoine Bethea‘s wtf-hit on Atlanta’s Laurent Robinson resulted in a Kelvin Hayden INT-dish-off to Bob Sanders. Also, Gary Brackett had 13 tackles (11 of them solo), Raheem Brock and Simeon Rice got a sack apiece, and Rocky Boiman also contributed an INT with a 26-yard runback.

All-in-all, it was a great outing for a squad that looked like some car in Bruce Willis’ Last Man Standing, riddled with bullet holes. The 10-day R&R should be great for injuries, especially since Tony Dungy‘s not having them even think about putting pads on until Wednesday.

LINKS:

• Topix‘s take on the game in Atlanta.
• Indystar‘s report on how the Colts are spending their much-needed 10-day rest period.
• More game stats on ESPN.
• Take a look at our young and increasingly-dangerous defensive line.