Are you still in contention for your league's tournament title, or even seventh place in the Consolation bracket? If so, here are the running backs that you need to sit/start in order to win in Week 15 of the NFL.
Start 'Em
Darren McFadden vs. Denver: Three weeks ago, people were starting to wonder if McFadden was even going to finish the season as Oakland's starting running back. But after rushing for 220 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games, people are back on the McFadden bandwagon. And that bandwagon will be full this week when he faces the Broncos' 31st ranked run defense (allowing 150.3 rushing YPG). Expect him to gain at least 125 yards and score once or twice against the reeling Broncos.
Maurice Jones-Drew @ Indianapolis: The only thing preventing Jones-Drew from being the best back to have this week is that he's facing a desperate Colts team in a huge division matchup. You can't expect the Colts to let Jones-Drew run all over them with first place on the line, but you can't expect the Colts to stop him either since they're giving up 141.1 rushing YPG. And with Jones-Drew on fire lately (six 100-yard rushing games in a row), the Colts will have their hands full.
Jonathan Stewart vs. Arizona: Finally....the Stewart people were expecting to see this season. With 323 yards in the last three games - including 133 yards on 18 carries against a solid Atlanta run defense - Stewart is one of the hottest backs in the league right now. With Arizona in his radar this week (ranked 30th, giving up 143.3 rushing YPG) Stewart's hot streak should continue.
Michael Turner @ Seattle: Opposite of Stewart last week, Turner had an even better game as the Falcons crushed the Panthers on the strength of his 112-yard, three touchdown performance. Don't expect Turner to get in the end zone three times again, but you can rely on him to go over 100 yards again with a score.
Cedric Benson vs. Cleveland: Benson hasn't exactly been a beacon for consistency this season, so it's hard to know when to play him. But if you have Benson this week, you'd be smart to start him against the Browns' 23rd ranked run defense (allowing 124.7 rushing YPG). He should go for around 90 yards and a touchdown this week.
Sit 'Em
Chris Ivory @ Baltimore: If you've been riding the Chris Ivory train this season, Week 15 would be a good time to jump off. Ivory is falling victim to a crowded backfield with Reggie Bush already back and Pierre Thomas coming back this week. Add in the fact that the Saints face Baltimore's 8th ranked run defense (allowing 98.8 rushing YPG), and Ivory might not go over 40 yards this week.
Matt Forte @ Minnesota: The Vikings didn't look too strong against the run after allowing Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw to both eclipse 100 yards last week against the Giants. They get a second chance this week with Forte coming to town, and they shouldn't have much trouble shutting him down. If Forte is going to be a threat against the Vikings' 10th ranked run defense, he'll have to do it on the receiving end.
Brian Westbrook @ San Diego: Westbrook has been a nice late season pickup for fantasy owners so far. However, he doesn't stand much of a chance this week on the road against San Diego. For starters, the Chargers are ranked 4th against the run (allowing 91.6 YPG) so he won't get much on the ground. Westbrook is in the same boat as Forte in that he needs to catch the ball if he stands any chance against San Diego.
LeSean McCoy @ New York Giants: Last time McCoy played the Giants, he torched them for 111 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. The big difference this time around as he faces the league's 5th ranked run defense is that McCoy is in New York. Plus it's a safe bet that the Giants will be much more motivated to stop McCoy this time around. If you have a couple of other decent options at running back, sit McCoy.
LaDanian Tomlinson @ Pittsburgh: Not much analysis needed here beyond Pittsburgh having one of the best run defenses of all time this year (allowing 60.1 rushing YPG), and Tomlinson not having rushed for more than 57 yards since Week 5 or having scored a touchdown since Week 6.
