Blackball This! Forte Versus Benson
The last post of the week: something to ponder as you await the certain couch slouch and booze binge of this weekend.
Because it seems like the most appropriate way to end my second day (and first week) back as editor here is with an MS Paint masterpiece: you’re welcome. And, because all the talk lately has been about the about-faces of these two running backs, it only makes sense that you should watch for them on Sunday. Duh.
Matt Forte’s sophomore efforts have clearly been a disappointment through five games. He is on pace to run for only 941 yards this season and is averaging just 3.4 yards-per-carry; a number highly skewed due to his Week 4 performance against Detroit when he averaged 10.1 yards-per-carry. His YPC in the other four games read 2.2, 2.2, 3.1, and 1.5 respectively.
Now, no one here is blaming Forte. He more or less looks like the same running back who ran for over 1,200 yards last year, minus two goal line fumbles. It’s obviously the offensive line’s failure to open up holes or prevent three defensive lineman from consistently beating Forte to the hand off that’s making this run-the-ball thing so darn hard. Josh Beekman sounds mighty good right now, does he not?
Cedric Benson, on the other hand, has gone from paranoid loser to even more paranoid winner. He’s … oh my God! … third in the league in rushing and has scored four times as many touchdowns this year as Forte (um, 4). Until last week, he rattled off four straight games of averaging over four yards-per-carry. Presumptively, Benson’s been looser since his new team declared that they had no intention of ruining his career.
Sunday will be the tale of these two running backs; one who is looking to avenge a well-oiled conspiracy against him and continue his impressive turnaround, the other who is simply looking to get rolling.
Prediction:
Forte: 20 att, 111 yards
Benson: 25 att, 98 yards
