LestersLegends.com » running back rankings Week 15


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With an exciting 14th week under our belts, here are the LestersLegends 2012 Week 15 fantasy football running back rankings.
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1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson is on a tear. He’s averaging 157.3 yards over the past seven games. The St. Louis Rams have allowed a mediocre 110.3 rushing yards per game, but are one of four teams that have allowed 15 or more rushing touchdowns.
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2. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Beast Mode was in full force as Lynch dropped 128 yards and three touchdowns on the Arizona Cardinals on just 11 carries. Next up is the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed 134.5 yards per game and a league-high 18 rushing scores.
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3. Arian Foster, Houston Texans
Foster should be in for a big day as the Indianapolis Colts have allowed 120.6 yards per game and a dozen rushing scores.
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 4. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Martin continues to dominate. He is averaging 124 total yards per game with 11 touchdowns. The New Orleans Saints rank last in the NFL with 152.4 rushing yards allowed per game. In the first meeting Martin has 122 total yards and a score.
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5. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Charles, like Peterson, is dominating despite inadequate quarterback play. He’s averaging 117.2 yards in his past five games. The Oakland Raiders have allowed 131.2 yards per game and 17 rushing scores.
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6. Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns
T-Rich is averaging 93.6 total yards with 10 touchdowns in 13 games. The Washington Redskins are decent against the run, but Richardson is a dual.
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7. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
Morris is averaging 119.7 yards with two touchdowns in his last three games. He will likely be leaned on more heavily with Robert Griffin III likely out. The Browns have allowed 120.5 yards per game and 10 rushing scores.
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8. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
Rice got a little banged up (hip), but managed to deliver his first 100-yard game since Week 5. I’m more concerned about his matchup with the Denver Broncos than his hip.
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9. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
CJ has had two quiet games in a row, but one of them came against the Texans. He should rebound nicely against the New York Jets, who have allowed 136.5 yards per game and 13 rushing scores.
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10. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
Spiller will have the backfield to his own, but his matchup with Seattle tempers the expectations.
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11. David Wilson, New York Giants
With Ahmad Bradshaw out, Wilson gets his turn to shine. Atlanta ranks 22nd agaisnt the run with 127 yards per game allowed. They have also yielded 14 rushing scores.
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12. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
Run DMC had 64 total yards and a touchdown on Thursday Night Football against the Broncos. Thankfully, he had extra time to rest because he tweaked his ankle (big shock). If he’s good to go, he should fare well against the Chiefs. They have allowed 131.2 yards per game and nine rushing scores.
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13. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals
The Law Firm is averaging 120.1 total yards in his past four games. The Philadelphia Eagles have allowed 119.3 yards per game.
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14. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
Moreno is averaging 120.3 total yards in his three games since taking over the starting gig. The Ravens have allowed 129.3 yards per game and 12 rushing scores.
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15. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Forte was more effective in the passing game in the first meeting with the Green Bay Packers. He should have more success running this time, while still doing some damage through the air. The Packers have allowed 116.7 yards per game and 11 rushing scores.
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16. Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots
Ridley has a tough matchup against the 49ers, but Tom Brady and the passing game should open things up for him.
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17. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
The New England Patriots play the run well, but Gore has a good nose around the end zone. He can also do damage in the passing game.
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18. Mikel Leshoure, Detroit Lions
Leshoure was quiet against the Packers despite having conditions that were more suited for the ground game. He should have no trouble getting his footing and delivering against the Cardinals. They have allowed 140.5 yards per game and nine rushing touchdowns.
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19. Bryce Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Brown took a backseat to Nick Foles last week because the Bucs are really good against the run and terrible against the pass. He’s worth considering because of what he did in Weeks 12 & 13, but there is obviously more risk associated with him against the Bengals after last week’s dud.
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20. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Jackson is averaging 108.4 total yards in his past five games. The Vikings will try to control the clock with Adrian Peterson, which could limit Jackson’s touches.
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21. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
Murray has scored in both games since returning, but the Steelers will provide a stiff test. They are giving up just 93.2 yards per game.
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22. Shonn Greene, New York Jets
Green has been sharing the load with Bilal Powell, but there has been enough to feed both backs. The Titans have allowed 127 yards per game and 12 rushing scores.
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23. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins
Bush is quietly averaging 83 yards the past three games. The Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed 145.7 yards per game and a league-high 18 rushing scores.
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24. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints
Sproles scored on the ground and through the air. He had 59 total yards and a touchdown in the first meeting with Tampa Bay. He should be active in this one too.
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25. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers
Mathews continues to get plenty of looks. He just hasn’t been very productive. That could change this week against the Carolina Panthers. They have allowed 121.6 yards per game and 11 rushing scores.
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Here’s the LestersLegends’ Week 15 2011 fantasy football running back rankings.
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1. Arian Foster vs. Carolina: T.J. Yates is good enough to keep the Panthers, who are allowing 128.9 ypg, from stuffing the box. Monster effort is expected.
2. Chris Johnson @ Indianapolis: Had a hiccup last week, but the Colts are giving up 144.3 ypg. Has had 130 or more yards in three of past five games.
3. LeSean McCoy vs. New York Jets: Continually finds a way to get into the end zone.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew @ Atlanta: Leads the league with 1222 rushing yards. Single-handedly helped teams advance to Week 15 last week.
5. Ray Rice @ San Diego: Dual threat has 363 total yards and two TDs in his past two games.
6. Cedric Benson @ St. Louis: Rams simply can’t stop the run and Benson is averaging 91.0 total yards in his past three games.
7. Beanie Wells vs. Cleveland: After facing the Niners’ stifling run defense, Cleveland’s (150.9 ypg allowed) will be a pleasant sight.
8. Reggie Bush @ Buffalo: The Bills have allowed 130.7 ypg and 15 TDs. Bush continues to deliver.
9. Michael Turner vs. Jacksonville: Jags have allowed 12 rushing TDs. Hasn’t scored in three straight games so he’s due.
10. Shonn Greene @ Philadelphia: Picking the right time to peak. Eagles have allowed 115.1 ypg and 11 rushing scores.
11. Adrian Peterson vs. New Orleans: Should be healthy enough to play this week. Could be a little rusty, but he’s All Day.
12. Felix Jones @ Tampa Bay: Bucs have allowed a league-high 19 rushing TDs.
13. Roy Helu @ New York Giants: Three straight 100+ yard games. The G-Men have allowed 127.9 and 13 rushing TDs.
14. Ryan Mathews vs. Baltimore: Also has three straight 100+ yard games, but the Ravens present a stiffer test.
15. Michael Bush vs. Detroit: I still don’t think McFadden returns. The Lions are giving up 136.1 ypg.
16. Ryan Grant @ Kansas City: Suddenly Grant is back. Should continue against the Chiefs (132.5, 13 rushing TDs).
17. Marshawn Lynch @ Chicago: Bears have a strong run defense, but Lynch is on fire.
18. Rashard Mendenhall @ San Francisco: Running well. Will he be the first to run on in on the Niners?
19. LeGarrette Blount vs. Dallas: Dallas’ offense is a threat to take him out of the game.
20. Peyton Hillis @ Arizona: Cardinals giving up 117.2 ypg and 13 rushing TDs. Will the Madden cover boy deliver after the extra rest?
21. Frank Gore vs. Pittsburgh: Steelers are hard to run on, but Gore is a tough runner.
22. Marion Barber vs. Seattle: Showed he still has something in the tank against Denver. Another surprisingly tough test this week.
23. Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Washington: Hopefully he doesn’t end up in the doghouse again. Either way he’s sharing with Jacobs, making him a low-end RB2.
24. Willis McGahee vs. New England: Helu showed the Pats can be ran on.
25. Darren Sproles @ Minnesota: The Saints could score 50+ on the Vikings. Sproles will get plenty of action.
26. Steven Jackson vs. Cincinnati: Tough match-up for a RB trending in the wrong direction.
27. BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ Denver: Denver has only allowed six rushing scores, which is where The Firm is most useful. Tricky play in the fantasy playoffs.
28. Jonathan Stewart @ Houston: Quiet last week, but they’ll need his tough running against the #4 run defense (91.5 ypg).
29. C.J. Spiller vs. Miami: The Dolphins have the #3 run defense (89.9 ypg allowed).
30. Ben Tate vs. Carolina: There should be enough for Tate to make a flex option against the Panthers’ soft run D.
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Here’s my Week 15 running back rankings.

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

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Inside the numbers:

  • Mojo remained on fire, posting his sixth straight 100+ yard day. He faces the Colts this week, who he has only averaged 128.2 total yards with 11 touchdowns in nine career games against them.
  • Run DMC has 336 total yards and four touchdowns in  his past two games. He should destroy Denver, a team he had 196 total yards and four touchdowns against earlier this season.
  • Michael Turner quietly has six touchdowns in his past four games and ten touchdowns in his past seven games. Good luck Seattle.
  • Peyton Hillis has lost five fumbles this year. A stat that keeps him out of the top five ranking this week.
  • With the Vikings in complete disarray, it’s hard to consider Adrian Peterson a RB1 against a Bears team that is coming off an embarrassing defeat.
  • LeGarrette Blount did not meet expectations against Washington, but should bounce back against Detroit.
  • Felix Jones, Tim Hightower, and Jonathan Stewart should continue to produce while Thomas Jones and LaDainian Tomlinson continue to slide.
  • Ronnie Brown actually  makes a RB2 option this week against Buffalo, who is allowing 165.8 yards per game on the ground.

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