Must Start

Le’veon Bell, Jamaal Charles, Marshawn Lynch, Eddie Lacy, LeSean McCoy and DeMarco Murray*

Tier 1

Arian Foster vs. Bal – The prospect of facing a tough D and having to do so with a 3rd stringer behind center moves Foster down a notch.

CJ Anderson vs. Cin – The threat of Manning throwing has opened everything up or Anderson.

Joique Bell vs. Chi – The Bears run D is a sieve.

Jeremy Hill vs. Den – Hill’s a load and the Broncos will find this out Sunday.

Fred Jackson vs. Oak – Expect Buffalo to make Jackson a large part of the game plan.

Mark Ingram vs. Atl – The Saints ground game has gotten off track in recent week. Atl is a good place to get back on track.

Tier 2

Justin Forsett vs. Hou – Don’t expect a trip to the end zone but he’ll pick up 100 total yards.

Alfred Morris vs. Phi – Morris will top 80 yards with a TD.

Daniel Herron vs. Dal – Expect Herron to be involved in the passing game.

Latavius Murray vs. Buf – The Bills have shown vulnerability against the run recently.

Lamar Miller vs. Min – Miller is a solid No. 2 against the 23rd ranked rush D.

Jonathan Stewart vs. Cle – The Browns are missing key defenders that are crucial against stopping the run.

Steven Jackson vs. NO – The old man is still a threat and has a solid matchup here.

Bust

Ryan Mathews vs. SF – The 49ers are beat up but still field a formidable run D.

Fantasy Sleeper

Matt Asiata vs. Mia – The Dolphins don’t stop the run well. Asiata is a big fantasy sleeper on championship weekend.

Must Start

Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte, Le’Veon Bell, Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy

Tier 1

Marshawn Lynch vs. SF – Lynch is the one back who consistently tops 100 yards against the 49ers.

DeMarco Murray vs. Phi – The Eagles stopped him last time. Tough matchup right back.

Justin Forsett vs. Jax – Forsett will top 125 yards with a TD against the lowly Jags.

Mark Ingram vs. Chi – There are gaping holes in the middle of the Bears D.

Chris Ivory vs. Ten – The Titans D is a sieve.

CJ Anderson vs. SD – All of the attention paid towards Manning has opened things up for Anderson. Look for 100 yards with a TD.

Joique Bell vs. Min – Look for 90 yards with a TD. Bell is the goal line back.

Fred Jackson vs. GB – Value in PPR league.

Eddie Lacy vs. Buf – Lacy will hit 13-17 FFL points but the Bills D is formidable.

Tier 2

Legarrette Blount vs. Mia – The Dolphins run D is very poor. Blount should receive 20 carries and find the end zone.

Daniel Herron vs. Hou – The Texans are middle of the pack stopping the run. Herron will notch 5 receptions as well.

Jeremy Hill vs. Cle – Look for a big bounce back after their last outing.

Giovani Bernard vs. Cle – Expect 8-11 points. The timeshare impacts both players.

Alfred Morris vs. NYG – The Giants are the 2nd worst team against the run.

Rashad Jennings vs. Was – Injury makes his status a question mark.

Bust

Frank Gore vs. Sea – Seattle will end the 49ers season and keep Gore in check.

Fantasy Sleeper

Chris Johnson vs. Ten – The Titans are the worst team against the run in the NFL. A little payback against his former team.

Must Start

Matt Forte, Le’veon Bell, Demarco Murray, Arian Foster, Marshawn Lynch and LeSean McCoy

Tier 1

Eddie Lacy vs. Atl – The Falcons sport a horrible run D.

Jamaal Charles vs. Arz – The Cardinals sell out to stop the run.

Mark Ingram vs. Car – The Panthers can’t stop the run. Ingram will top 120 yards with a TD.

Frank Gore vs. Oak – San Francisco will ride Gore vs. the Raiders.

Justin Forsett vs. Mia – The Dolphins run D was torched by the Jets.

Rashad Jennings vs. Ten – Check his ankle injury. Ten surrenders a ton of yards on the ground. Andre Williams if he can’t go.

Tier 2

Giovani Bernard vs. Pit – He’ll split carries with Hill.

Jeremy Hill vs Pit – The Bengals will look to wear out the struggling Steelers D.

Ryan Matthews vs. NE – The Pats focus on the pass game leaves opportunities open in the run game. Expect 13-15 FFL points.

Steven Jackson vs. GB – The fear is the Falcons will be down by 30 at the half.

Joique Bell vs. TB – Look for  13-15 FFL points.

Daniel Herron vs. Cle – He’s the play of the two at RB.

Andre Ellington vs. KC – Check his injury status too.

CJ Anderson vs. Buf – The Bills are a formidable opponent and stop the run well. But Manning’s ability to spread the field will open up opportunities.

Isaiah Crowell vs. Ind – Crowell is a solid No. 2 FFL RB against the Colts.

Fred Jackson vs. Den – His receiving skills will be used heavily.

Tre Mason vs. Was – Mason showed why he’s the No. 1. Expect a double digit performance this week.

Alfred Morris vs. Stl. – Morris is a low No. 2 in FFL this week.

Darren Sproles vs. Sea – Should be on the receiving end of a lot of dump offs against an aggressive Seahawks D.

Fantasy Sleeper

LeGarrette Blount vs. SD – Look for 70 yards and a few TDs.

Bust

Lamar Miller vs. Bal – The Ravens D will shut down the Fins’ running game.

Must Start

Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, DeMarco Murray, Matt Forte,  Marshawn Lynch and Arian Foster*

Tier 1

Rashad Jennings vs. Dal – Missed the 1st game. Look for him to top 100 yards and be a weapon in the passing game.

Frank Gore vs. Was – Look for the 49ers to lean heavily once again on Gore.

Eddie Lacy vs. Min – The weather will be cold. Look for the Packers to pound the rock with Lacy all afternoon.

Andre Ellington vs. Sea – Running the ball will be difficult but he’ll be a threat in the passing game.

Jeremy Hill vs. Hou – The rookie RB is a strong No. 1 as long as Bernard is out or limited.

Trent Richardson vs. Jax – Richardson becomes a strong play a No. 1 in PPR leagues.

Denard Robinson vs. Ind – He’s been a force since he entered the starting lineup.

Tier 2

Steven Jackson vs. Cle – The loss of DT Phil Taylor hurts the Browns running game.

Ryan Matthews vs. Stl – He’ll get enough carries to be a No. 2 back.

Mark Ingram vs Bal – The Ravens run D is stout.

Darren Sproles vs. Ten – Sproles is a No. 2 / flex play each week in the explosive Eagles offense.

Justin Forsett vs. NO – Forsett will top 80 yards and find the end zone in New Orleans.

Joique Bell vs. NE – The Pats run D is middle of the pack.

Shane Vereen vs. Det – Look for his impact to come in the passing game. Stronger in PPR leagues.

CJ Anderson vs. Mia – Look for him to be a weapon out of the backfield.

Lamar Miller vs. Den – He rates as a low No. 2 this week.

Charles Sims vs. Chi – Sims has assumed top dawg in TB.

Bust

Alfred Morris vs. SF – The 49ers run D is stout.

Fantasy Sleeper

Tre Mason vs. SD – The Chargers are banged up defensively making Mason a solid play.

DeMarco Murray, Le’veon Bell, Arian Foster, LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles and Marshawn Lynch

Tier 1

Eddie Lacy vs. NO – It’s only a matter of time before the big man gets rolling.

Andre Ellington vs. Phi – He’ll top 20 fantasy points in PPR leagues.

Alfred Morris vs. Dal – The Skins will run the ball 20+ times to keep the Cowboys high powered offense on the sidelines.

Ronnie Hillman vs. SD – The Chargers are banged up on D.

Giovanni Bernard vs. Bal – Look for the Bengals running game to get back on track here.

Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Pit – Multi-purpose threat who will notch 15 points in PPR leagues.

Joique Bell vs. Atl – The Lions run game will wear down this smaller Falcons D.

Shane Vereen vs. Chi – Vereen will take on more importance in this offense. The Bears struggle against opposing RBs who can catch out of the backfield.

Lamar Miller vs. Jax – He’ll top 17 points against the Jags.

Tier 2

Chris Ivory vs. Buf – The Bills run D poses a real threat which keeps Ivory a No. 2.

Branden Oliver vs. Den – The Sproles-esque clone will top 70 yards with a score.

Tre Mason vs. KC – The Rams appear to be rolling with their rookie.

Doug Martin vs. Min – Is this the breakout game? The match-up makes him a solid No. 2 / flex play.

Jerick McKinnon vs. TB – Has a solid matchup vs. the Bucs.

Bishop Sankey vs. Hou – The Texans run D isn’t its strength.

Reggie Bush vs. Atl – Bush will top 10-12 points in PPR leagues. He’s still 2nd in the pecking order.

Justin Forsett vs. Cin – Check if LB Vontaze Burfict is playing. Once he went out the Colts ran all over the Bengals.

Trent Richardson vs. Pit – Still worthy of a flex play against a generous Steelers D.

Ben Tate vs. Oak – Look for 80 yards with a TD.

Bust

Denard Robinson vs. Mia – Thrived in his first start with over 120 yards and a TD. The Dolphins play better run D than Cleveland.

Fantasy Sleeper

Mark Ingram vs. GB – The Saints will pound #22 to keep Rodgers on the bench. The Packers run D is generous.

1. Denver Broncos (-7) vs. SF – The 49ers will be down LB Patrick Willis which takes out all but one element (Ahmad Brooks) of their Pro Bowl Linebacking Corps. San Francisco will keep this competitive but won’t have enough firepower to keep it close late. Look for Peyton Manning and Co. to cover the point spread and win by at least 10.

Next

2. Baltimore Ravens (-7) vs. Atl – Baltimore is coming off a big romp in Tampa and will continue that trend against the NFC South at home. Atlanta’s diminished OL impacts everything they do on offense, and they’re going to struggle in Baltimore.

3. Miami Dolphins (+3) vs. Chi – See money line bet.

4. Detroit Lions (-2.5) vs. NO – The Lions will likely be without Megatron but they’ll have enough juice on offense to get the job done. Their D is playing tremendously and whereas in year’s past the Saints would have posed a significant threat, something is missing this year.

Rounding Things Out

Kansas City Chiefs (+4) vs. SD – San Diego’s defense has been hit by injuries and is being felt in the pass rush. The Chiefs are getting healthier and may steal a game on the road.

Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) vs. Oak – The Raiders are improving but still not enough to beat the Cards. The game will be close throughout, however.

New York Giants (+7) vs. Dal – New York is determined to show that last week’s flop was a fluke and Dallas could have a letdown after their impressive win in Seattle.

Money Line Bet

Miami Dolphins (+155) vs. Chi – Both teams are very up and down this year. While the Fins blew a very winnable game last week against the Packers, they are ascending as a whole. Expect a close game which the Dolphins pull out late.

Must Start

Demarco Murray, Le’veon Bell, Arian Foster,  Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles and Giovani Bernard

Tier 1

Eddie Lacy vs. Car – He’s creeping into No. 2 RB territory. But the Panthers run D is weak this year.

Frank Gore vs. Den – The 49ers will feed Gore the ball to play keep away from Peyton.

Andre Ellington vs. Oak – The Raiders don’t stop the run well.

Alfred Morris vs. Ten – Morris will top 100 yards and find the end zone.

Joique Bell vs. NO – The Lions will run the rock with Megatron out.

Branden Oliver vs. KC – The rookie sensation will top the century mark again.

Knowshon Moreno vs. Chi – A week back from his arm injury. Look for a return to the primary ball carrier.

Ben Tate vs. Jax – Look for Tate to pick up where he left off and run all over the Jags.

Justin Forsett vs. Atl – The Falcons are horrible stopping the run.

Fred Jackson vs. Min – Jackson will top 80 yards with a TD.

Shane Vereen vs. NYJ – Always played big vs. the Jets and Ridley is now out.

Chris Ivory vs. NE – New England has had trouble stopping the run. NYJ will try and pound the ball.

Tier 2

Ronnie Hillman vs. SF – The passing game will open up running lanes for the speedy Hillman.

Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Cin – His receiving skills makes him the better play.

Jeremy Hill vs. Ind – The 2nd piece of the two headed running system will find the end zone again.

Reggie Bush vs. NO – Expect Bush to play a large role facing his former team.

Andre Williams vs. Dal – A lot of his success will depend on the pass game sustaining drives. He always runs hard however.

Bust

Zac Stacy vs. Sea – The Seahawks run D will be ready to play this week.

Fantasy Sleeper

Isaiah Crowell vs. Jax – Even with Ben Tate back in the line up this bruiser is a strong fantasy sleeper for his goal line carries. They’ll also likely be up late which will lead to garbage time carries.

Must Start

Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte

Tier 1

Le’veon Bell vs. Bal – Looks poised to take a huge step forward this year. Will play big on TNF.

Arian Foster vs. Oak – He’ll have a lot of room to work with this week. 100 yards and 2 TDs.

DeMarco Murray vs. Ten – Murray has a massive OL to run behind. He’ll top 100 again.

Marshawn Lynch vs. SD – The bruising back is running behind a healthy OL.

Montee Ball vs. KC – The Chiefs D is depleted.

Alfred Morris vs. Jax – The Skins will wear this unit down on the ground.

Knowshon Moreno vs. Buf – He’ll top 100 yards and a TD.

Shane Vereen vs. Min – The Patriots plan to utilize him heavily.

Frank Gore vs. Chi – The 49ers will get back to pounding the ball vs. the Bears.

Giovani Bernard vs. Atl – The Bengals will use their all purpose back all afternoon.

Khiry Robinson vs. Cle – New Orleans is committed to the run this year.

Rashad Jennings vs. Arz – Jennings will top 80 yards with a score.

Tier 2

Trent Richardson vs. Phi – The Eagles D is vulnerable. Solid as a receiver out of the backfield.

Darren Sproles vs. Ind – Chip Kelly will keep him involved as a runner and 3rd down receiver.

Chris Johnson vs. GB – The Packers smaller front 7 is an area New York will attack. Expect Johnson’s role to increase as the year goes on.

Reggie Bush vs. Car – The Lions will use him as a receiver predominantly here.

Andre Ellington vs. NYG  - He’s a No. 2 this week and has a banged up foot.

CJ Spiller vs. Mia – He’s not much more than a flex at this stage.

Bernard Pierce vs. Pit – He’ll be the featured back again this week. More of a flex / high No. 2.

DeAngelo Williams vs. Det – Newton’s return will benefit Williams, but Lions are stout in the middle.

Bust

Zac Stacy vs. TB – The Rams have no threat of a passing game which impacts everything.

Fantasy Sleeper

Toby Gerhart vs. Was – The Skins once again have a porous D.

1. Adrian Peterson, Min – The top RB again. The Vikings will be improved in 2014 and that will benefit Peterson.

2. LeSean McCoy, Phi – He is a superstar in Chip Kelly’s offense. Look for another huge year, even with Sproles eating at some of his carries.

3. Jamaal Charles, KC – It’ll be tough to replicate a year ago, but Charles is a star and merits top 3-4 draft status. He can do it all.

4. Matt Forte, Chi – His receiving ability make him top four and he’s proven to be a solid running threat too.

5. Eddie Lacy, GB – The big back took the league by storm. Expect another heavy dosage of Lacy as Green Bay takes pressure off of Rodgers.

6. Marshawn Lynch, Sea – He’s getting up there in age but still runs harder than ever. Look for double digit TDs and 1200+ yards.

7. Arian Foster, Hou – Injuries derailed last season. In fact, everything went wrong in Hou. Foster will thrive in O’brien’s offense and the Texans schedule will be much easier this year.

8. Le’Veon Bell, Pit – He showed his dynamic playmaking ability from the get go. Expect better things in year 2.

9. Zac Stacy, Stl. – The low round RB exceeded all expectations and turned into a workhorse. The Rams will feed him the ball again, and he’ll be running behind a solid OL.

10. Demarco Murray, Dal – Murray will also run behind a solid OL upfront. If he can avoid injury, he’ll take a big step forward this year.

1. Jamaal Charles vs. Ind – Charles unreal fantasy effort in Week 15 will be followed up by a 150 yard effort and multiple TDs.

2. Adrian Peterson vs. Cin – Look for Peterson to top 125 yards with a score.

3. LeSean McCoy vs. Chi – The Bears have had difficulty stopping the run all season.

4. Marshawn Lynch vs. Arz – The Seahawks will ride Lynch to the top seed in the NFC.

Not far behind

Matt Forte vs. Phi – Forte will top 100 yards with 1-2 TDs.

Frank Gore vs. Atl – The 49ers will be playing with a large lead in this one.

Eddie Lacy vs. Pit – GB will ride its horse again in this one.

Rounding things out

Reggie Bush vs. NYG – Look for the dynamic threat to hurt the Giants in the passing game.

Alfred Morris vs. Dal – The Cowboys run D is atrocious.

Giovani Bernard vs. Min – The dynamic rookie will excel in the passing game.

DeMarco Murray vs. Was – Murray’s been on a roll of late and that will continue here.

Shane Vereen vs. Bal – Expect Vereen to be used more heavily than last week.

Ray Rice vs. NE –The Pats run D has many holes in it.

CJ Spiller vs. Mia – He has performed much better at home in ’13.

Knowshon Moreno vs. Hou – Moreno will bounce back this week.

Ryan Matthews vs. Oak – Matthews has raised his game in McCoy’s offense. This will be another 100 yard effort.

Le’veon Bell vs. GB – Bell will hit 12-15 fantasy points on Sunday.

Chris Johnson vs. Jax – Look for Johnson to reach the end zone and top 80 yards.

Lamar Miller vs. Buf – He’s a No. 2 / flex play due to his time split with Daniel Thomas.

Potential Bust – Beware

Andre Brown vs. Det – Look for the Lions D Line to overwhelm the Giants offense and stuff Brown.