This matchup features two teams who are looking to bounce back from painful campaigns, having both gone 2-14 last season. If the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars are going to climb out of the cellar and into the realm of respectability, they both figure to lean heavily on their stalwart running backs. While Jamaal Charles had a spectacular season in his return from his 2011 ACL injury, Maurice Jones-Drew will be playing the comeback kid this year after a foot injury limited him to just six games last season.

Jamaal Charles,  Kansas City Chiefs

The former Texas Longhorn had a banner year last season, posting career highs in carries and yards as well as games started, showing no ill effects from the ACL tear he suffered in the second game of 2011. Unfortunately, the rest of the Chiefs weren't able to share in his good fortune. However, things are looking up for Charles and Chiefs. With new head coach Andy Reid bringing his West Coast attack to Kansas City, Charles should have even more opportunities to make plays and improve on the mediocre six total touchdowns he scored last season

While Reid is known to throw the ball like crazy, Charles should have no problem making up for lost carries by hauling in more receptions in a Brian Westbrook type of role. It also helps that Chiefs starting quarterback Alex Smith is known to throw underneath more than other quarterback on the planet, so Charles will be working overtime in 2013. With all the moves the Chiefs made in the offseason they should be considerably better this year, and Charles will be their offensive catalyst.

The Jaguars feature a defense that finished 29th in points allowed, 30th in yards allowed, 28th in defense-adjusted value over average (DOVA) and didn’t score a single defensive touchdown last season. They have a decent front seven, but they don't possess any real impact players that jump out at you. You should have no hesitation in starting Charles against this unit and he should put up some nice running and receiving stats.

Projection: 130 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 55 receiving yards

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

After leading the league in rushing yards in 2011, MJD came back in 2012 by holding out and missing the entire offseason and then ending his season on injured reserve. He set career lows across the board as he played in just six games. With free agency on the horizon, Jones-Drew will be eager to prove he's still among the best running backs in the NFL.

With Jacksonville's quarterback situation still being a complete mess, the Jaguars will work MJD to death. Unfortunately, the Jaguars offense doesn't figure to be much better than last season, and Drew will be adjusting to a new zone-block scheme after running in power-blocking schemes his whole career. MJD certainly has the skills to put some of the best numbers for running backs, but he faces a tremendous challenge as he figures to have a target on his back in being the only real notable player on the offensive side of the ball for the Jaguars.

The Chiefs have some talented players on defense, sending four players to the Pro Bowl, but they had problems trying to stop the run last year. Part of the problem was their ineffective offense putting them in tough positions without much rest. That should be alleviated a bit this year, so the Chiefs should be a better unit this season. However, until they prove they can stop the run, you should expect running backs to post healthy numbers.

Projection: 100 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 30 receiving yards