Matchup Meter: Greene, Jets set to run over Jaguars in Week 14
Fantasy owners took Fred Jackson for dead until his game against the Jaguars last week. Jackson gained 109 yards -- his first 100-yard day since November 2011 -- on his only 20-plus carry effort of the season. No one should be surprised, really. No team has been run on more than Jacksonville (33.8 attempts allowed per game) and only one defense has allowed more rushing scores.
• Number to know: 144.0 -- The number of rushing yards the Jaguars allow per game, second most behind New Orleans.
• Expect a big day from: Shonn Greene is one of the most frustrating fantasy backs in the league, but the Jets rusher should do well against Jacksonville. Plus, Greene is on a bit of a hot streak; he has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over the past two weeks.
These matchups suggest success is around the corner for a number of suspect fantasy starters ...
Indianapolis' passing attack vs. Tennessee's defense
The Titans' pass defense has ranked near the bottom of the league all year, allowing 257.5 yards a game. Only the Chiefs have given up more scores through the air, and Tennessee allows 7.7 yards per passing attempt. Andrew Luck completed 26-of-38 passes for 297 yards in Tennessee earlier this year.
• Number to know: 69.5 -- The completion percentage for quarterbacks who have faced Tennessee, more than two points higher than any other NFL defense.
• Expect a big day from: Luck and Reggie Wayne are obvious, but T.Y. Hilton and Dwayne Allen could also have big weeks. Allen has assumed the No. 1 tight end spot in the offense, while Hilton has seen an average of 7.4 targets over the past five weeks.
Detroit's rushing attack vs. Green Bay's defense
Last week Adrian Peterson averaged 10.0 yards a carry against Green Bay thanks, in part, to poor tackling. The Packers are suffering from injuries to the linebacker corps and have had trouble with just about every back they've faced in recent weeks. They've allowed at least one rushing score in seven of the past eight games.
• Number to know: 4.5 -- The number of yards the Packers allow per carry, ranking 24th in the league.
• Expect a big day from: Mikel Leshoure gained 84 yards and scored a touchdown against Green Bay three weeks ago. Leshoure's carry count has increased in recent weeks; he could have a busy (and productive) evening at Lambeau on Sunday.
These fantasy stars might need a rest this week due to an unfavorable matchup on the horizon ...
Miami's rushing attack vs. San Francisco's defense
The 49ers have quite a résumé. The defense ranks third in rushing yards allowed a game (90.6), second in touchdowns allowed (three) and second in yards allowed per carry (3.6). Here's a list of the last three backs to face San Francisco: Steven Jackson (21 carries for 48 yards); Mark Ingram (10 for 27); and Matt Forte (21 for 63).
• Number to know: 48 -- The number of first downs opponents have gained on the ground versus San Francisco this season, just four a game.
• Who to bench: Reggie Bush needs 274 yards to reach 1,000 for the season; this game won't help him get there. The 49ers eat backs like Bush for breakfast.
San Diego's passing attack vs. Pittsburgh's defense
Some may be tempted to bet against Pittsburgh with Ike Taylor out, but one man did not make Pittsburgh the league's top-rated pass defense. The Steelers are one of four defenses allowing fewer than 200 passing yards -- 22.3 yards less than any other club -- and the only team allowing fewer than 6.0 yards per attempt.
• Number to know: 22 -- The number of pass plays of 20 or more yards that Pittsburgh has given up this season, fewest in the league (just two plays of 40 or more yards).
• Who to bench: Philip Rivers and Malcom Floyd are both fringe plays. Both should be left out of lineups. It might also be a week to get away from Antonio Gates, who hasn't scored a touchdown or reached 50 yards receiving in three weeks.
New England's rushing attack vs. Houston's defense
This game could have a ton of scoring, but it won't come from the Patriots' ground attack. The Texans allow just 87.6 rushing yards on the ground and are one of three teams that have not allowed a single carry of more than 30 yards.
• Number to know: 2 -- The number of rushing scores allowed by Houston this year, fewest in the league.
• Who to bench: Stevan Ridley's role is slowly shrinking, with Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead picking up table scraps here and there. And Brandon Bolden is fresh off suspension. Ridley is still New England's lead back, but this could be his roughest outing of the season.