BenJarvus Green Ellis

Week Seventeen Analysis: Coming into last week's meeting with Pittsburgh, BenJarvus Green-Ellis had eclipsed 100 total yards in five straight games, and had scored a touchdown in three of those five contests as well. Unfortunately, that hot streak came to a screeching halt, as he ran 15 times for a season-low 14 yards, but he should get back on track this week. Baltimore's bottom-10 run defense has given up five rushing scores in their last four games, and the Lawfirm went for 95 total yards and a touchdown in this same matchup back in the opener. A repeat performance is within reach.

Week Sixteen Analysis: BenJarvus Green-Ellis has now eclipsed 100 total yards in five straight games, and he's added a touchdown in three of those five contests as well. Furthermore, only Alfred Morris has received more than the Lawfirm's 106 carries over the last five weeks. While Pittsburgh's top-10 run defense surrenders just 3.9 yards per carry, they have allowed a rushing touchdown in seven of their last 10 outings, which is a lot by their standards. The Lawfirm only managed 69 yards in the first meeting, but he's been running as well as ever in recent weeks, so he should grind out a solid box score this week.

Week Fifteen Analysis: Last week I noted that BenJarvus Green-Ellis had averaged 25 touches during his three-game 100-yard streak, and how his increased workload had coincided with the Bengals' hot streak. Marvin Lewis wasn't listening. Despite leading a Dallas team that couldn't slow down the run for virtually the entire game last week, BenJarvus Green-Ellis got just 12 carries—his lowest total in over two months. Fortunately, the Lawfirm was very efficient, running for 89 yards and sneaking over the 100-total-yard mark for the fourth consecutive game. This week he gets a fading Philadelphia defense that's surrendered over 100 combo yards AND a touchdown to back-to-back starters, so the Lawfirm should be rested, active and effective.

Week Fourteen Analysis: Last week against San Diego, BenJarvus Green-Ellis became the first Bengal back to crack 100 rushing yards in three consecutive games since Corey Dillon in 1999. This is the same guy who hadn't reached 70 rushing yards in any of his previous five outings. He's scored twice and averaged 25 touches during the three-game streak, and with the Bengals rolling, we can probably expect them to stick with what's working. Dallas' injury-riddled run defense has given up nine rushing touchdowns in their last eight games, and over 100 combo yards to five straight starters. Last week Bryce Brown totaled 183 yards and a pair of scores, so the Cowboys are on their heels.

Week Thirteen Analysis: After averaging 60 rushing yards and notching just three touchdowns in his first nine games, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has now scored and topped 100 rushing yards in back-to-back contests. That's great, but it feels like smoke and mirrors. Both of the big box scores came in blowout victories against the horrible run defenses of Kansas City and Oakland, so the Lawfirm needs to prove it against a legitimate opponent before we get too excited. San Diego's top-10 run defense gives up less than 4.0 yards per carry, and they haven't allowed a touchdown to the position in their last three games. The Lawfirm's mini-streak is certainly in jeopardy this week.

Week Twelve Analysis: After averaging 15 carries for 50 yards over his previous five outings, BenJarvus Green-Ellis hit his ceiling in a blowout win over Kansas City last week, rushing 25 times for 101 yards and a score. It was his second touchdown in three games, and he'll have a chance to do it again this week. Only Buffalo has given up more than the 11 rushing touchdowns Oakland has ceded to opposing backs, six of which have come in the last three games alone. The Raiders are below-average in terms of yardage, as well, so it's certainly a plus matchup for the Lawfirm.

Week Eleven Analysis: BenJarvus Green-Ellis has now failed to reach 4.0 yards per carry in eight straight games. You'd think that a guy could accidentally hit that mark at least once in a two-month span, but the Lawfirm continues to elude mediocrity. He's also been successful in eluding the end zone, as he's scored just twice in his last eight games. The Chiefs are a middling run defense whose greatest weakness has been defending opposing backs in the passing game, where the Lawfirm is a non-factor. Green-Ellis has been locked into around 60 scoreless combo yards since mid-September, and there's no reason to expect anything different this week.

Week Ten Analysis: BenJarvus Green-Ellis hasn't reached 4.0 yards per carry in any of his last seven games, and he's averaged just 52 combo yards over his last four. That's literally identical to his per-game yardage average from last season in New England, but the problem has been the absence of touchdowns—he's scored just once in his last five games. Don't expect the Giants to do him any favors in the scoring department. New York has given up just four touchdowns to opposing backs through nine games, and considering the Lawfirm's dwindling yardage numbers, this feels like another uninspiring afternoon.

Week Nine Analysis: After a promising start to his Bengals career, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has gone belly up. He hasn't scored in four straight games, and he's averaged just 62 combo yards and 3.3 yards per carry over that span. The Broncos are ceding just 3.8 yards per carry to opposing backs, but they've given up five touchdowns to the position in their last six games. Overall, it's a neutral matchup, and unfortunately, it will probably take more than that for the Lawfirm to snap out of his funk. If you're using him, you're hoping for a goal-line opportunity.

Week Seven Analysis: After yet another no-show, the Lawfirm has officially been downgraded to public defender. In his last five games, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has averaged just 3.0 yards per carry, and the former touchdown specialist has only scored once. While the Steelers are no longer a shut-down run defense, they're still significantly better than teams like Jacksonville and Cleveland, who Green-Ellis has recently whiffed against. If there weren't six teams on bye, we probably wouldn't even be talking about Green-Ellis this week, so if you're starting him, you're essentially hoping for a goal line opportunity.

Week Six Analysis: With Bernard Scott heading to the IR, Green-Ellis will remain the bell-cow back for the Bengals even though he has mustered only four carries of more than 20-yards in his entire career. Green-Ellis did plod his way to a 100 combo yard performance against Cleveland in week 2 and for the year the Browns have allowed over 140 yards-per-game on the ground including 160 yards-per-game over their last three. The Browns best linebacker, D'Qwell Jackson, also suffered a concussion last week, so if he is a no go that will likely free up some yards for the Law Firm.

Week Five Analysis: After notching 589 NFL touches without ever losing a fumble, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has now coughed it up in back-to-back weeks. Unfortunately, the choking doesn't end there. Green-Ellis managed just 82 scoreless rushing yards last week, despite receiving a whopping 26 carries against the Jaguars' dismal run defense. In fact, in his last three games, against the very beatable slate of Cleveland, Washington and Jacksonville, he's averaged just 3.0 yards per carry. The Dolphins are giving up less than 2.5 yards per carry to opposing backs, so I'll let you do the math.

Week Four Analysis: It was tough sledding for BenJarvus Green-Ellis in Washington last week, but he's now scored or topped 100 combo yards in every game this season. This week he has the opportunity to do both against the Jaguars. No team has surrendered more than the six touchdowns Jacksonville has ceded to opposing backs, and they rank 29th in yardage as well. Last week they allowed Donald Brown to crack 100 combo yards for just the second time in his last 21 games, so if he can do it, you have to like the Lawfirm's chances.

Week Three Analysis: Benjarvus Green-Ellis reached 18 carries just twice last season, but he's already matched that mark through two weeks in his new workhorse role. We know the Lawfirm can score at the stripe, and he's chipping away in the passing game as well, so he's rounding into a steady-yet-unspectacular No. 2 fantasy back. Washington represents a neutral matchup, but it's worth noting that the two backs who really gouged them were speedsters Darren Sproles and Daryl Richardson, not power backs Mark Ingram and Steven Jackson. Still, Green-Ellis has some momentum going, so feel free to start him if you usually would.

Week Two Analysis: When BenJarvus Green-Ellis moved from New England to Cleveland, he essentially traded in never-ending goal line opportunities for a bigger, more consistent workload. Monday night we got our first glimpse of the Lawfirm in his new role, and he looked good, running hard 18 times for 91 yards and a score. He hit 18 carries just twice last season, but this increased usage is the new normal for Green-Ellis. That should mean big things for him against Cleveland's putrid run defense, especially considering that the stylistically similar Cedric Benson torched the Browns for over 120 combo yards and a score in each of his prior three meetings.

NEXT: #19 DARREN MCFADDEN