2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings – Week 12

Nov 22, 2011

.
Here’s the LestersLegends’ Week 12 2011 fantasy football running back rankings.
.
1. Arian Foster @ Jacksonville: Averaging 173.6 total yard the past four games with seven TDs.
2. LeSean McCoy vs. New England: He didn’t score last week but continued his dominating season with 115 total yards.
3. Matt Forte @ Oakland: He’ll miss Jay Cutler but Oakland is giving up 131.6 rushing ypg.
4. DeMarco Murray vs. Miami: Averaging 157.4 total ypg the past five games. Has been very active in the passing game (16 catches) the past three weeks.
5. Ray Rice vs. San Francisco: Averaging 117.6 total yards and a touchdown per game.
6. Michael Turner vs. Minnesota: Averaging 112.4 total yards the past five games with four TDs (99.7, seven TDs in past seven).
7. Rashard Mendenhall @ Kansas City: The Chiefs struggle to stop the run. Mendy has three scores in his past two games.
8. Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Houston: Steady yardage all season and has scored in three straight games.
9. Steven Jackson vs. Arizona: Averaging 136.3 total yards over the past four games. The Cardinals are giving up 127.2 ypg on the ground.
10. Marshawn Lynch vs. Washington: Has scored in the last six games he’s played in and is averaging 110.7 rushing yards the past three games.
11. Frank Gore @ Baltimore: Didn’t get a light load (24 carries) despite the Niners handling Arizona so he must be fine. Short week doesn’t help, but he showed his toughness.
12. Michael Bush vs. Chicago: I don’t see McFadden returning yet. Bush has been a beast replacing Run DMC and is showing us what he’ll do next year when he lands a starting gig.
13. Cedric Benson vs. Cleveland: The Browns are giving up 139.3 ypg.
14. Reggie Bush @ Dallas: Averaging 94.8 total yards the past four games with four TDs.
15. Chris Johnson vs. Tampa Bay: The Bucs are giving up 133.5 ypg. Perhaps CJ0.75K will pick up the pace a bit.
16. LeGarrette Blount @ Tennessee: Burned me last week as he didn’t get run out of the game by the Packers’ offense. The Titans are giving up 124.3 ypg. Consistency is an issue.
17. Willis McGahee @ San Diego: Had more time to heal. San Diego is giving up 124.4 ypg on the ground.
18. Shonn Greene vs. Buffalo: Also had more time to heal. Buffalo is giving up 122.4 ypg.
19. Kevin Smith vs. Green Bay: I’m not ready to go all in on Kevin Smith, but after his brilliant performance last week (201 total yards, three TDs) he’s worth a shot as a RB2.
20. Ryan Mathews vs. Denver: Dropped the ball (literally) last week but should bounce back against Denver.
21. Beanie Wells @ St. Louis: His health still concerns me, but St. Louis is terrible against the run.
22. Chris Ogbonnaya @ Cincinnati: Two strong weeks in a row. Should get plenty of carries.
23. C. J. Spiller @ New York Jets: F-Jax is out so Spiller gets his chance.
24. Jonathan Stewart @ Indianapolis: J-Stew will do damage with on the ground and in the passing game. The Colts are giving up 145.6 ypg so there should be points for Stewart and D-Will.
25. Brandon Jacobs @ New Orleans: I think Bradshaw remains out and Jacobs being a tough tackle for a Saints’ team giving up 5.2 ypc.
26. DeAngelo Williams @ Indianapolis: Splitting carries with J-Stew but Indy is bad enough that they both are borderline RB2s this week.
27. Ben Tate @ Jacksonville: Averaging 81.0 ypg the past four games with a TD in his past two. Expect plenty of running without Schaub.
28. Toby Gerhart @ Atlanta: Early assumption is Adrian Peterson misses this week. Atlanta has the league’s second best run defense though (85.4 ypg).
29. Darren Sproles vs. New York Giants: Hardly used last week and the Saints are deep at RB. Still, it’s a big game and I expect Sproles to make a mark.
30. Donald Brown vs. Carolina: Addai could return in this one, but Brown has been the best Colts’ RB this year (not saying much). The Panthers are terrible against the run so he could do some damage though.
.
.
Want to win a Lester’s Legends t-shirt? Click here to enter the free contest page!
.
.

Also check out:

Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to the full RSS Feed

40 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

Grant
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:47 am #

Ugh … got a decision to make (or do I?) between Sproles and Lynch. Atlanta clearly keyed in on Sproles last week, and I don’t think the G-Men are quite as quick on defense. The ‘Skins came out of nowhere on Sunday to hold DeMarco Murray to < 3.0 ypc … wouldn't surprise me if they did the same to Lynch. Since Sproles has a higher PPR ceiling, I think I'm rolling with him. Thoughts?
LestersLegends
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:36 am #

PPR changes the dynamic for sure. I just don’t like how little Sproles was used last game.
Brett
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:39 am #

Back again.. First off how’d you manage last week with the early shonn greene fiasco? I squeaked out a win thanks to ray rice.

So I have I running back slot, a flex slot(rb or wr), and two wideout slots. My options are kevin smith, shonn greene, ryan grant, and roy helu then maclin, desean jackson, laurent robinson, and d moore. I’m thinking shonn greene in th rb slot, smith in the flex, then maclin(if he’s cleared) and desean jackson for my wideouts. Lemme know. Thanks
LestersLegends
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:16 am #

Brett – Same here. Stafford and NE DEF helped me pull it out. I’m tentatively saying Greene but I’m a glutton for punishment. Smith is probably the play. i’d definitely have LoRo in there. He’s been a beast. Then DeSean and I’d go Greene or Smith (depending on who you start) if Maclin is out or Maclin if he plays.
Ben
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:40 pm #

PPR league. Need to start 2 running backs.
Which 2 do i start??

Murray
Blount
Mathews
Beanie
Kevin Smith
Greene
LestersLegends
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:29 pm #

Ben – You need one RB. Murray is a must-start until he proves otherwise. Kevin Smith is probably the choice in PPR leagues.
Brett
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:18 pm #

I agree with your picks, what’s your record for your league man?
Rey
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:14 pm #

Not to rehash a sproles convo, but I’m in the same boat.
PPR league.
Starting 3 WR, 2 RB, 1 Flex-
Gonna start Mike Wallace, Jordy Nelson, Michael Turner for sure.
The other 4 I have to choose between
Desean Jackson
Darren Sproles
Beanie Wells
Denarious Moore
Also, Greg Olsen, Brandon Pettigrew, or Owen Daniels?
LestersLegends
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:15 pm #

Main league I’m 9-2. Got an 8-3, 6-5 (early “expert” draft and had Peyton), 7-4, and 5-6 (five game losing streak).
@rey wallace, jordy, djax, turner, sproles, and for the flex i’d probably give moore a chance
Ronnie
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:44 pm #

Hi my team is in a desperate need of a stable fantasy QB since I lost Schaub to injuries. I have Carson Palmer and Alex Smith but I don’t know if they will help me win in the playoffs. Should I trade Demarco Murray and Vincent Jackson for Tebow and Fred Jackson? Is tebow going to be a good provider of points over the last 4 weeks?

And pick 2 out of 3 RBs:
Beanie Wells, Ryan Mathews, and DeMarco Murray

Thanks in advance!
LestersLegends
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:52 pm #

Ronnie. I would hold onto Murray and VJax. I think Palmer is as good an option as Tebow and FJax is trending int he wrong way. That’s not a two of three Ronnie. Murray is in. Wells or Mathews. Great options earlier this year. Sucks they both fell off. I like Beanie and Mathews about the same #21 and #22. My gut says Mathews but if you feel Beanie is a better option I can’t argue it.
Ronnie
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:04 pm #

Thanks for the advice. Do you think Tony Gonzalez will keep up his production for the rest of the year? Should I trade Vincent Jackson for him? (I have Steve Smith, Cruz, and D. Moore as my other WRs). I am also in need of a TE since both my options have been doing bad lately (Fred Davis and Owen Daniels).
LestersLegends
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:42 pm #

I don’t see why he would not. He’s in incredible shape. The only thing that would slow him is injury.
Rey
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:01 pm #

Thanks for the advice bud!
Brett
November 23rd, 2011 at 1:05 am #

Started 7-0 and then dropped three straight culminating from bradshaws injury before winning last week.

Still tied for first though, and playing the kid who’s tied with me this week. Can clinch a playoff berth with a win this week, I wish you luck wish me the same and route against rodgers micheal bush and roddy white for me
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:24 am #

Bummer. Well hopefully you turn it around this week. Good luck and happy thanksgiving.
Justin
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:35 am #

Yo Lester, I snagged Kevin Smith off waviers and dropped jackie “The Letdown” Battle. You think he’s safer play than Brandon Jacobs?
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:51 am #

Safer? Not sure about that but it’s a better calculated risk to use Smith imo.
Justin
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:59 am #

He’s brought the screen game back….. he has to be the better option. Plus, Jacobs is running like crap.
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:01 am #

I think he’s the better option. I just don’t know that I’d say safer given the small sample size.
Justin
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:07 am #

Well, I know he’s a better option than Jackie Battle…… hahaha.
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 11:26 am #

Battle is bunk.
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 am #

Got Battle right out of my rankings too. Rather use Donald Brown.
Chris
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:42 pm #

I just lost Fjax in a must win situation….I need a fill in RB for this week. What would you rank these RBs? I assume Jackson will be back next week?

Spiller
D Williams
Gerhart
D Brown
Addai
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:56 pm #

spiller, dwill, toby, brown, addai
Justin
November 23rd, 2011 at 1:09 pm #

You’re right bro, Battle is bunk. I look for Kevin Smith to produce numbers close to what Best did, based solely on the screen game. BTW, I also snagged Spiller last night, just in case ole FJ goes down.
Justin
November 23rd, 2011 at 1:14 pm #

Oh crap, FJax is down. That’s a game-changer for me Lester, which means i need some help deciding my line-up. I need 2 WR’s and 2 RB’s, plus one flex…..

Fitz (no brainer)
Antonio Brown
Laurent Robinson
Vincent Brown
Arian Foster (no brainer)
Kevin Smith
CJ Spiller
Brandon jacobs

GO!
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 1:36 pm #

foster
smith
fitz
loro
abrown
Justin
November 23rd, 2011 at 1:45 pm #

Dude, that’s the exact line-up that I had in mind. Once again, I like the way you think. How do you think Spiller will do? Facing the Jets D, it may be a bad day for him.
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 1:48 pm #

I think Spiller will be OK. Probably not a lot of running yards, but total yards should be decent. Maybe 70 total.
Justin
November 23rd, 2011 at 1:53 pm #

I think Kevin Smith will have a much better day than that. I feel a little better that Blount had a good day against the Pack, even though the majority of his yards came on that monster play.
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:01 pm #

Yep. That was a nasty run.
Ramblin' Wreck
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:32 pm #

I lost the FJax
Ramblin' Wreck
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:36 pm #

I lost the FJax and now I need some sage advice. My replacements are R.Bush and K.Smith. I’ve got McCoy at RB1 but I need some long term help for RB2 at least this week. Some knucklehead dropped Starks but I can’t trust him tomorrow(I did pick him up for the playoff run). PPR league
LestersLegends
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:27 pm #

I think you’re in pretty good shape consiering Ramblin’ Wreck
Brett
November 24th, 2011 at 12:49 pm #

So as always my starting running back gets hurt, its smith this time..

Greene or robinson for my flex?
LestersLegends
November 25th, 2011 at 12:20 am #

hope you went with loro
Brett
November 25th, 2011 at 2:54 am #

I couldn’t take loro out, he’s on fire, and it paid off
LestersLegends
November 25th, 2011 at 6:47 am #

Good
Justin
November 25th, 2011 at 1:53 pm #

Loro is playing out of his mind right now. He’s a must start from now on out.