Last week, Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno put on the best performance of his young career, running for 161 yards on 23 carries. While he didn't score any touchdowns for fantasy owners, Moreno did just enough to gain 17 points in standard scoring leagues (he had 14 yards receiving). This is exactly what his fantasy owners had been waiting for all season long.
Moreno has struggled for most of the season, be it due to injury, a rotating offensive line and a lack of carries. Before last Sunday's performance, Moreno had only one 100-yard game, which came in the Broncos victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Too bad the Broncos don't play the Chiefs again this season.
But fantasy owners shouldn't fear, as Moreno will go up against the No. 30 rush defense in the league in the Arizona Cardinals. The Cards allow 144.3 yards a game. This seems like a dream match-up for the running back, but, as we saw last week with receivers Brandon Lloyd and Dwayne Bow and their lack of fantasy production, it's easier said/written than done.
However, with Eric Studesville's promotion from running backs coach to interim head coach, it is hard to imagine that Studesville will want to go away from the run. Last week in the fourth quarter, Josh McDaniels went to the pass for three straight drives and wound up with nothing. Knowshon Moreno could have pounded the ball several times before entering the end zone.
ESPN.com ranks Knowshon Moreno as the sixth-best running back option this week, while the Cardinals' Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells come in at No. 26 and No. 39, respectively.