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With an exciting 10th week under our belts, here are the LestersLegends 2012 Week 11 fantasy football running back rankings.
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1. Arian Foster, Houston Texans
Foster continued his touchdown streak, now at eleven games dating back to last season, against the Bears. He has scored in 17 or his last 18 games. He should be a monster against Jacksonville. The Jaguars have allowed 137.4 yards per game and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
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2. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
Miami is tough on the run, but Spiller is very active in the passing game. With Fred Jackson out, Spiller should do damage once again.
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3. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Martin is averaging 128.7 total yards and 0.89 touchdowns per game. Carolina has allowed 113.0 rushing yards per game.
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4. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
Shady continues to play a larger role in the offense. With Vick either out or limited, that should continue against Washington.
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5. Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns
Richardson has recorded back-to-back 100-yard games and should be fresh coming off a bye. Dallas has allowed 105.2 rushing yards per game.
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6. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
Rice has a tough matchup against Pittsburgh, but he scored in both meetings last year while averaging 117.5 total yards.
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7. Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots
Ridley is averaging 112.5 yards and a touchdown the past two games. The Colts have allowed 120.3 yards per game at 4.7 yards per carry.
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8. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
The Niners let Steven Jackson run wild on them. I’m not sure if that works in Forte’s favor or not. Not to mention that Jay Cutler could miss this game with a concussion. The Bears are going to lean heavily on Forte.
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9. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Gore has a tough draw against Chicago, but he’s averaging 99.1 total yards per game.
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10. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos
McGahee has run for 66 or fewer yards in four of the past five games with just one touchdown during the stretch. He has made up for it in the passing game, averaging 54 yards per game. He faces a tough Chargers run defense (82.9 yards per game allowed), but he should still put up solid numbers.
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11. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
Morris has come back to Earth in the past two weeks. He hasn’t scored or caught a pass, and has averaged just 67.5 yards per game. He should rebound against a fading Eagles team.
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12. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals
The Firm has only scored three times and is averaging just 66.5 total yards. He should be more effective against a bad Chiefs team.
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13. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
Mathews is averaging 91.8 total yards per game, but isn’t scoring. That makes him just a borderline RB1 against Denver.
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14. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Charles showed burst against Pittsburgh. He’s still a small risk, but the Bengals have allowed 10 rushing scores so he may be worth the risk.
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15. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Maybe I’m ranking him a little too high as an apology to a low ranking against the Niners. He was a workhorse against them, collecting 127 total yards and a touchdown on 31 touches. The Jets are giving up 145.0 yards per game so another solid game is probable
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16. Marcel Reece, Oakland Raiders
The Saints stuffed Michael Turner, but they are still averaging 162 rushing yards allowed per game. Reece should do some damage on the ground, but even more through the air.
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17. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins
Bush went to the doghouse after losing a fumble. Assuming he is forgiven, he should rebound against the Bills league-worst rushing defense (163.7 yards per game).
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18. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Jones looked more explosive against the Eagles. I’m expecting Murray to be out yet again. Felix has averaged 101 total yards the past two games. Cleveland is giving up 132.2 rushing yards per game.
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19. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Turner left fantasy owners high and dry in a juicy matchup with New Orleans. I expect he’ll rebound against Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed 126.1 rushing yards per game.
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20. Mikel LeShoure, Detroit Lions
LeShoure came back to Earth against Minnesota. He’ll likely get about 60 total yards with a 50-50 chance of scoring against Green Bay.
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21. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore can be run on (132 yards per game, nine rushing touchdowns allowed) and after Redman’s fumble it looks like it’s Dwyer’s gig again.
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22. Shonn Greene, New York Jets
Greene was predictably held in check by Seattle. He should fare a little better against St. Louis. The Rams have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns and 114.1 rushing yards per game.
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23. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
J-Stew has produced modest numbers despite being proclaimed the feature back. Tampa Bay is tough on the run. He’ll have to do damage in the passing game.
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24. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona Cardinals
He’s averaging 82 total yards in his past three games. Atlanta may make things difficult, but I expect he’ll be active in the passing game.
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25. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints
The Saints backfield is another hard one to predict between Sproles, Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Chris Ivory. This has become a nightmare for fantasy owners. Sproles in PPR leagues is the best bet of the bunch. Standard leagues are tougher to grade. The Raiders have allowed nine rushing touchdowns.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy QB Rankings
• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy WR Rankings
• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy TE Rankings
• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy K Rankings
• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Options
• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• 2012 Week 11 Fantasy Football Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em
• 2012 Week 11 NFL Picks
• Should You Sell High on Randall Cobb?
• Should You Drop Justin Blackmon?
• Is It Time to Put the New York Giants’ Passing Game on Ice?

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Here’s the LestersLegends’ Week 11 2011 fantasy football running back rankings.
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1. Adrian Peterson vs. Oakland: Raiders are giving up 132.4 yards per game on the ground at 5.2 yards per carry.
2. LeSean McCoy @ New York Giants: Continues to produce despite the letdown the Eagles have been. G-Men giving up 121.6 ypg at 4.6 ypc.
3. DeMarco Murray @ Washington: Averaging 170.5 total yards over his past four games. Skins giving up 120.4 ypg.
4. Matt Forte vs. San Diego: Averaging 145.3 total yards per game. Chargers are giving up 127.9 ypg at 4.5 ypc.
5. Maurice Jones-Drew @ Cleveland: Averaging 106.9 total ypg. Has yet to turn in a poor performance. Browns are giving up 142.8 ypg at 4.4 ypc.
6.  Steven Jackson vs. Seattle:  He’s had 140+ total yards the past three games and averaged 136.4 over the past five.
7. Frank Gore vs. Arizona: Could be a light load for Gore but the Niners are trying for home field. The Cardinals have allowed 12 rushing TDs and 123.1 ypg.
8.  Michael Turner vs. Tennessee:  92.3 yards over the past six games with six touchdowns. Titans giving up 125.2 ypg.
9.  Fred Jackson @ Miami:  Bills are fading but Jackson is still producing. He hasn’t scored since Week 6 though and has fumbled in his past two games.
10  Ray Rice vs. Cincinnati:  Has one 100 yard rushing game since Week 2, but his total yardage is usually solid.
11. Marshawn Lynch @ St. Louis: Has scored in five straight games that he’s played in and topped 100 yards in his past two. Rams are dead last giving up 150.6 ypg at 5.1 ypc.
12.  Michael Bush @ Minnesota:  The Vikings are good against the run but Bush is moving the chains averaging 160.7 total yards over the past three games. His ranking is assuming McFadden is out again.
13.  Reggie Bush vs. Buffalo:  Averaging 104.3 total yards and a touchdown the past three games. The Bills have allowed 125.4 ypg at 4.6 ypc and 11 TDs.
14.  Chris Johnson @ Atlanta:  Atlanta is good against the run but CJ is getting into a groove.
15.  Shonn Greene @ Denver:  Green didn’t get much action last week as the Jets went to the air. He finished with 4.7 ypc though.
16.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. Kansas City:  He continues to flounder but he’s played some tough defenses of late. He should get back on track against the Chiefs (134.0 ypg allowed)
17.  Brandon Jacobs vs. Philadelphia:  The Eagles have improved against the run but his size will likely be an issue. His ranking is assuming Bradshaw is out again.
18.  Ryan Mathews @ Chicago:  Will continue to share the load with Mike Tolbert. The Bears are playing inspired football further harming his value.
19.  Willis McGahee vs. New York Jets:  Looks like he’ll start. He’s banged up so he’s a risk not to finish the game.
20.  James Starks @ Tampa Bay:  Bucs rank 29th against the run (138.2 ypg). This will still be the Aaron Rodgers show but Starks should have a solid showing.
21.  Maurice Morris vs. Carolina:  The Panthers rank 28th against the run (137.6 ypg). He’s only averaged 59.3 total ypg the past three games but the match-up is favorable.
22.  Cedric Benson @ Baltimore:  Should be a very physical game. Benson has been consistent this year. Unforntunately he’s been consistently mediocre.
23. Jonathan Stewart @ Detroit:  The Lions are giving up 134.4 ypg so perhaps this is his chance.
24. Mike Tolbert @ Chicago:  The match-up isn’t favorable but Tolbert should continue to see
25.  Jackie Battle @ New England:  The Patriots’ offense could take Battle out of the mix but he’s averaging 73.2 ypg over his past five games.
26.  Kendall Hunter vs. Arizona:  If the Niners get up early Hunter could close the game out.
27.  Chris Ogbonnaya vs. Jacksonville:  Has little competition for carries. Jags are middle-of-the road against the run.
28.  LeGarrett Blount @ Green Bay:  Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Bucs get down and abandon the run. Highly likely to repeat against the Packers.
29.  DeAngelo Williams @ Detroit:  Has only topped 50 yards twice this year. Perhaps a third?
30. Roy Helu vs. Dallas:  Helu is the back that should be getting the ball. He’s not good enough to deal with the Shanahanigans though.
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Also check out:.

• Week 11 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football K Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football Sit/Start Advice
• Week 11 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• Week 11 Fantasy Football Waiver Advice
• Week 11 NFL Picks

Image courtesy of Icon SMI
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Here’s my Week 11 running back rankings.

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1. Rashard Mendenhall vs. Oakland
2. Frank Gore vs. Tampa Bay
3. Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Cleveland
4. Arian Foster @ New York Jets
5. Adrian Peterson vs. Green Bay
6. Chris Johnson vs. Washington
7. Michael Turner @ St. Louis
8. Ray Rice @ Carolina
9. Cedric Benson vs. Buffalo
10. Jamaal Charles vs. Arizona
11. Peyton Hillis @ Jacksonville
12. LeSean McCoy vs. New York Giants
13. Ahmad Bradshaw @ Philadelphia
14. Darren McFadden @ Pittsburgh
15. Jahvid Best @ Dallas
16. Steven Jackson vs. Atlanta
17. LeGarrette Blount @ San Francisco
18. Fred Jackson @ Cincinnati
19. LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Houston
20. Matt Forte @ Miami
21. Felix Jones vs. Detroit
22. BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. Indianapolis
23. Thomas Jones vs. Arizona
24. Keiland Williams @ Tennessee
25. Shonn Greene vs. Houston
26. Tim Hightower @ Kansas City
27. Knowshon Moreno @ San Diego
28. Brandon Jackson @ Minnesota
29. Marshawn Lynch @ New Orleans
30. Michael Bush @ Pittsburgh
31. Ryan Mathews vs. Denver
32. Ronnie Brown vs. Chicago
33. Mike Tolbert vs. Denver
34. Mike Goodson vs. Baltimore
35. Justin Forsett @ New Orleans

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Inside the numbers:

• Oakland ranks 25th with 124.8 rushing yards allowed. After a relatively quiet game against New England, look for Mendenhall to explode against the Raiders.
• Tampa Bay is better, but they are still yielding 143.8 yards per fame on the ground. Frank Gore should dominate.
• The concerns about MJD’s knee are a thing of the past after three straight strong performances.
• Adrian Peterson averages 126.3 total yards with five touchdowns in seven games against Green Bay.
• Michael Turner and Ray Rice make exceptional plays after the extra rest from playing in the Thursday game.
• Cedric Benson could top the 100 yard mark for the second time this year as he faces Buffalo’s league worst run defense (166.9 ypg).
• Keiland Williams had a coming out party against the Eagles, but Ryan Torain and Clinton Portis could get some work next week.
• ***Update*** DeAngelo Williams was placed on IR and it looks like Goodson will get the start. He’s not a great play though.

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• Sneaky Week 11 Fantasy Football Pick-ups
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• Week 11 Fantasy TE Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy K Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy DEF Rankings
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