"C.J. Spiller at NE: Spiller has topped 100 total yards and scored in three of the past four weeks. He's demonstrated the flash that we anticipated upon his arrival from Clemson and certainly has the Bills thinking long and hard about Fred Jackson.
Spiller is on the board for a big play this week against the Patriots. In the first meeting, Fred Jackson topped 160 total yards on 17 touches as the Bills sprang a huge upset. Though New England ranks in the middle of the pack against RBs in terms of fantasy points, running backs have amassed over 2,000 total yards against them.
Ryan Mathews at OAK: Mathews is a strong play this week against the Raiders if he's cleared. The second-year tailback missed a mid-week practice because of his calf injury, so there is a possibility that he's shelved in Week 17. Happily for fantasy owners, the other AFC West matchup is being played at the same time between Kansas City and Denver. As such, Norv Turner may still try to push for a victory to play spoiler.
If Mathews is shut down, look to Curtis Brinkley to take on a sizable workload in this game. The Raiders have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs.
Kahlil Bell at MIN: Bell generated a good game against the Packers in Week 16. If Bell had cashed in on either of his goal-line attempts (one stuff and one fumble), then it would have been a fantastic game. Alas, owners had to settle for his 159 total yards on 27 touches.
He raised a few eyebrows and added his name to the list of unheralded running backs forcing owners and general managers to reconsider their stances on contracts. Bell has performed well in place of Matt Forte (now Marion Barber) and rates a low-end RB1 slot against the Vikings (12th-most fantasy points allowed to RBs).
Rashard Mendenhall at CLE: Mendenhall delivered in a big spot and rumbled for 116 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against the Rams. I'm moderately concerned about Isaac Redman and John Clay creeping into the workload again and stealing goal-line work, but the matchup is certainly advantageous. I'm also wondering if the Steelers give Mendenhall enough touches to reach the 1,000-yard mark on the season. He's 110 yards shy of that hallowed mark.
Michael Bush vs. SD: Bush posted a magnificent game in Week 10 against these Chargers, producing 242 total yards on 33 touches with a touchdown. The Raiders are still alive for a playoff berth following the Week 16 overtime win against the Chiefs. Bush's success on the ground (he's rushed for at least 69 yards in eight of his past nine appearances) will help the Raiders do their part against the now-eliminated Chargers.
Toby Gerhart vs. CHI: Gerhart replaced the injured Adrian Peterson in Week 16 and promptly ripped off a 67-yard run en route to a 100-yard day. He'd produced two receiving touchdowns in tandem with Peterson in Week 15."
