Maurice Jones-Drew is primed for a huge day against the Tennesse Titans this weekend. Yes, the Titans have the 17th ranked rush defense in the NFL, but that's not my focus. For whatever reason, the Titans are terrible at covering runningbacks out of the backfield.
For example, in a week 7 match-up with the Eagles, LeSean McCoy caught 6 passes for 54 yards. The Titans won as Kenny Britt had a career day with 225 yds receiving and 3 TD's.
In week 8, the Chargers completed 14 (yes I said 14!) passes to runningbacks out of the backfield. The Chargers RB's amassed 86 yards receiving out of the backfield and scored a touchdown as well.
Last week, Arian Foster damaged the Titans on the ground for 143 yds rushing and in the air with 9 receptions and 75 yds. Amazingly, Foster did not score against the Titans after scoring 13 total TD's through his first 11 games of the season.
In addition, the Titans thrashed the Jaguars 30-3, in Jacksonville, back in mid-October. The Jaguars' David Garrard sustained a concussion in the second quarter of that game and did not return. Garrard is healthy for this rematch and I expect a very different outcome. These teams are going in different directions as the Jaguars have won 3 of their last 4 and the Titans have now lost four straight games. The Jaguars are now 6-5, after starting the season 3-4, and find themselves tied for first in the AFC South. This game is huge for the Jags, and they know it!
You can count on MJD rolling up big numbers against the Titans. Last week, MJD produced 113 rushing yds against a tough NY Giants' defense (1st in NFL in pass defense, and 9th in rush defense). I think he'll do fine against the Titans' porous defense (17th rush defense, 26th pass defense).
The Phenom's prediction: JAX 34, TEN 20
MJD: 24 rushes-120 yds, TD; 7 rec.- 80 yds, TD
The Phenom
http://www.fantasysportsphenom.com/
Wow! I was way off, wasn't I? MJD carried the ball 31 times to the tune of 186 yards on the ground. He did not score a touchdown in this game and he caught just one pass for 4 yards. However, he did have his 5th straight 100-yard plus game, led the NFL in rushing in week 13, and produced some decent fantasy points.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Reggie Wayne of the Colts turned in the best fantasy performance of the week. Wayne caught 14 passes for 200 yards and a TD in a losing effort.
The people involved with fantasy football are always so concerned about fantasy football strenght of schedule. Fantasy football is now so popular.
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