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To help the Bruno Boys Nation win FREE PRIZES, we bring to you the Divisional Round Running Back Rankings.
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1. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers) vs. Arizona
There was no one hotter in the NFL during the second half of the 2008 season than Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams. In fact on the season he finished with a total of 20 TD's, 1,636 yards while splitting carries. That should continue this week as he faces an Arizona rush defense that allowed 110 rushing yards per game and a total of 13 TD's on the season. Considering that their opponents were always in a pass situation, usually playing from behind, these numbers are deceptive. Look for the Panthers to try and keep the Cardinal's passing attack at bay by pounding the ball for a good portion of this game. Williams will benefit greatly from this.
Point Projection: 17 points
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2. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) @ New York Giants
The third round pick of the 2002 draft class for the Eagles had a pretty disappointing year as he averaged less than 100 total yards per game this season although he did have a combined 14 TD's. There is some good news though as the last time he faced the Giants in New York he went for 202 total yards and 2 TD's. Those are numbers that should not be overlooked as the Eagles will be looking to win the game by grinding it out. Westbrook should excel once again.
Point Projection: 17 points
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3. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) vs. Philadelphia
Much like his division rival Brian Westbrook, Brandon Jacobs had 1 excellent game and 1 bad game against their advisory this week. While missing 3 games this year he still was able to punch in 15 TD's and had only 4 games in which he did not reach pay-dirt. The odds are in his favor to produce once again as this will be a classic old-school NFL game by trying to win it with excellent defense and a very sound running game.
Point Projection: 16 points
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4. LeRon McClain (Baltimore Ravens) @ Tennessee
During an up-again, down-again sophomore campaign, McClain finished on a very positive note having averaged near 90 yards the final four games while getting 4 TD's. This week he takes on the 6th rated rush defense in Tennessee who had allowed 93.9 yards per game and only 12 TD's on the season This game will not be a cake-walk for him, but with the potential that he carries with him as well as his Wild Card performance against Miami last week in which he went for 75 yards and 1 TD on 19 carries (while getting the bulk of the carries mind you) bodes well for this young rising-star.
Point Projection: 13 points
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5. Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers) @ Pittsburgh
If you were to have told us a few weeks ago that the Chargers would be fine with Tomlinson playing limited time we would of laughed at you. Well guess what, you would have been right! Darren Sproles is heating up and producing at perfect time, almost assuredly locking himself into a solid contract at the end of the year. He has three total TD's while topping over 100 rushing yards during each of the past two games. Pittsburgh was one of the best rush defenses this year so don't be surprised if Sproles doesn't do as well as projected. But the writing is on the wall to where if Tomlinson does miss this week Sproles will be able to fill in nicely. Believe us, the Chargers will need him to.
Point Projection: 12 points
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6. Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. San Diego
Although Willie Parker struggled with injuries most of the year he did finish the season off on a bright note having been able to rush 19 and 23 times in back-to-back games while going for 116 yards and 1 TD in his final week of the season. The good news for him is that he should be able to keep it up as San Diego is just a slightly above-average rush defense minus Shawne Merriman. This could be another one of those games that an elite team tries to win through tough defense and rushing.
Point Projection: 10 points
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7. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) vs. Baltimore
What a rookie campaign this kid had! He went for a total of 10 TD's and 1,468 yards during the season. He did face the Ravens once this year rushing 18 times for a total of 2.4 yards per carry and 0 TD's in Week 5. Don't let that scare you off as playoff football is a little different than regular season as the Titans will be relying to keep the clock moving while rushing the ball a ton. Johnson should have a solid game this week complimenting his already impressive NFL debut.
Point Projection: 10 points
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8. Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) vs. Arizona
Jonathan Stewart is one of a number of excellent rookie RB's this year as he averaged 4.5 yards per carry, putting up 836 rushing yards and 10 TD's while being second fiddle to DeAngelo Williams. That is a scary combination from the backfield that the Panthers will be deploying against Arizona this week. He won't produce as much as his counter-part, but 35-45 yards and a TD can be expected.
Point Projection: 9 points
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9. LenDale White (Tennessee Titans) vs. Baltimore
During the first 2/3's of the season LenDale White was a TD machine and was racking up yardage as well. That soured greatly as his carries took a major hit the final three weeks of the season. While some of that can be accounted for because of the Titans prepping themselves for the playoffs, you also have to remember that he is facing the Ravens this week. Yardage won't come easily for him, but some scrap yardage and a TD can be expected.
Point Projection: 8 points
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10. Edgerrin James (Arizona Cardinals) @ Carolina
Let's not kid ourselves here ladies and gentleman, just a few years back there was talk on whether the Lions or Cardinals would ever make the playoffs again. Well, one is in and one went 0-16. Unfortunately my team isn't playing right now. That being said, you can bet your house that they will be riding the experience of their veteran players in this game. That doesn't mean that James is going to be their #1 going into next year, that is most likely Tim Hightowers job to lose. But for the playoffs it doesn't get much clearer than James' 17 touches to Hightowers 6 against the Falcons last week. Yardage is what you will get from this aging veteran, but don't expect a TD as he has had only 3 all year.
Point Projection: 7 points
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11. Derrick Ward (New York Giants) vs. Philadelphia
Ward is one of those backs in which you wonder what he could do if he could ever stay healthy and get a full-time gig. But he can't stay healthy and he hasn't gotten the chance. With Brandon Jacobs in front of him he probably never will in New York unless injury befalls Jacobs. But Ward is still productive enough to where he can put up some very solid yardage in any given week, but don't expect TD's from him as unless he breaks out for one outside the 20 it will be all Jacobs. Facing the Eagles doesn't help.
Point Projection: 6 points
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12. Willis McGahee (Baltimore Ravens) @ Tennessee
Willis McGahee will get some carries this week to spell LeRon McClain, but there is no doubt that McGahee is not the man anymore in Baltimore. He should get some solid yardage on minimal carries, allowing him to reach our 5 projection points level, but don't expect much more. Whatever he produces beyond that is icing on the cake.
Point Projection: 5 points
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13. Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) @ Carolina
There is one thing that you can say about Tim Hightower and that is that he is a TD machine. In limited action he had 10 TD's but only ran for more than 37 yards once all season. Yes, he did pick up some yardage through the air here and there, but it was sparingly and it is clear that in the playoffs his playing time will be minimal. You can rest assured that if the Cardinals are in a goal-line situation he will be the guy getting fed the rock. But otherwise it is James' game.
Point Projection: 3 points
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14. Mewelde Moore (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. San Diego
When Willie Parker went out with injury earlier in the year Moore produced like a Tier-2 fantasy RB, but ever since Parker has been suiting up once again Moore has turned into a yardage back, and a small yardage at that. Anything more than 30 yards and 0 TD's will be a huge bonus for Moore owners.
Point Projection: 3 points
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15. Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia Eagles) @ New York Giants
Probably one of the better backups at his position in the NFL today, Correll Buckhalter will have his hands full against the formidable Giants defense. His value comes when Brian Westbrook is not playing in the game, which he will today, so if you are playing in a playoff league you might want to steer clear of Buckhalter.
Point Projection: 3 points
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16. Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ Philadelphia
When it comes to third-man on the chain, that is definitely what Bradshaw is. Not only is he losing touches to Brandon Jacobs, but to Derrick Ward as well. Don't expect much but scrap yardage, but do remember that Bradhsaw played a big role in the Giants Super Bowl run of 2007.
Point Projection: 2 points
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17. J.J. Arrington (Arizona Cardinals) @ Carolina
Much like Ahmad Bradshaw, J.J. Arrington is third in line. Don't expect much more than scrap yardage.
Point Projection: 2 points
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18. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) @ Pittsburgh **GAME-TIME-DECISION**
Obviously if he plays and is projected to get a solid amount of carries his value will rise some so check in later this week for our risers and fallers column, but until we learn otherwise, expect him to ride the bench for most of the game. That is if he even suits up.
Point Projection: NOT YET AVAILABLE
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DIVISIONAL ROUND RANKINGS
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Also Read: 2008 Fantasy Football MVP Awards (Position by Position)
Also Read: 2008 Fantasy Football LVP Awards (Position by Position)
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