Cowboys running back Felix Jones has dodged success better than he has opposing defenders.
Not long ago, Jones appeared poised to supplant Marion Barber as the go-to runner. But because of injuries and mediocre production, Barber remained the team leader in yards and carries.
After making minimal impact in his rookie season in 2008, Jones made progress in 2009 but still trailed Barber in yards, scores and carries. It was 2010 before Jones led the team in carries and yards, though that had as much to do with Barber missing time as it did Jones’ production. And despite playing all 16 games, Jones mustered just one lonely touchdown.
Last season it was a slam dunk. With Barber gone, Jones was the primary. Only it didn’t work out that way. DeMarco Murray burst onto the scene in Week 6 when Jones was out with an ankle injury and Jones has been option No. 2 ever since.
Now, with Murray out this week, at least, with a left foot injury, Jones gets another shot, and against the defensively challenged Panthers.
With some top backs like LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Reggie Bush and Willis McGahee on byes, and Murray, Rashard Mendenhall and Donald Brown dealing with injuries, the RB pickings are slim this week.
Lucky for Jones, he gets the Panthers. This isn’t a vote of confidence for the weeks to come, if Murray’s absence is prolonged, but right now I would start my pizza-delivery guy against Carolina.
Enjoy Felix this week, because he likely is to deliver for only 60 minutes, or less.
BIG WEEKS
Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers, vs. Saints
He looks to have rebounded from sophomore slump. Addition of WR Vincent Jackson has brought WR Mike Williams back to life. Saints don’t stop anyone.
William Powell, RB, Cardinals, at Vikings
Not a great matchup, but not a lot to choose from this week outside of top-tier backs. Powell looked leaps and bounds better than time-share partner LaRod Stephens-Howling last week.
Brandon Gibson, WR, Rams, vs. Packers
Packers offense looked like it found itself last week vs. Texans. Don’t anticipate them to revert to earlier struggles. That means Rams will have to pass to keep pace. With Danny Amendola out, Gibson is best option.
Martellus Bennett, TE, Giants, vs. Redskins
Hasn’t scored in past three games, after finding the end zone in each of the first three. Expect Bennett to cross the goal line today against a Redskins team that is next-to-last in league defending TEs.
SMALL WEAKS
Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions, at Bears
Detroit offense hasn’t looked like explosive unit of 2011. Bears have yielded fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs. Stafford tossed four picks in last trip to Windy City.
Shonn Greene, RB, Jets, at Patriots
Don’t buy into his breakout performance last week just yet. Expect Jets’ offensive struggles to reappear frequently throughout the season. Expecting Jets’ pass defense to break down soon, perhaps tomorrow, meaning Gang Green will have to throw to keep up.
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys, at Panthers
Scored his first two TDs of the season last week in Baltimore. Panthers pass defense has been surprisingly efficient vs. the pass, ranking eighth in fantasy points allowed to WRs.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings, vs. Cardinals
Secret is out that QB Christian Ponder looks to him often in the red zone — Rudolph’s five TDs in the past five games are evidence. St. Louis gives up fifth fewest fantasy points to TEs.
The Decision
Drew Loftis and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger tell you who you should start:
RYAN FITZPATRICK VS. CAM NEWTON
Drew: Fitzpatrick — Not a vote for Fitz as much as a vote against the Titans pass defense. He has thrown six TDs in two home games (going to ignore his four picks vs. Patriots for now). Plus, Newton looks lost, and is facing a revamped Dallas secondary that has been strong.
Anthony: Newton — For all of the talk about Newton being lost, he does have two games this season with more than 300 total yards and multiple scores. Newton has had to hear about how bad he has been throughout the Panthers’ bye week, and I expect him to come out and make a statement against Dallas.
Last week: Anthony 13 (Joe Flacco — 234 pass yards, 1 TD), Drew 5 (Andrew Luck — 280 pass yards, 2 INTs, 1 fumble lost)
Season: Drew leads, 4-1-1
dloftis@nypost.com