At this point in the season, there’s not really a question around who the best running backs are. No one is on bye, and there are no question marks around guys. Backs that are injured are definitely out, which leaves about four players consistently in the top four. But who will get the top spot this week, and who will end up coming up with the fifth spot in rankings this week?
1.Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s tough for anyone to perform better than Adrian Peterson, but Charles may just be able to do that this week against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins have allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year, giving up 16 total touchdowns to running backs in 12 games. Charles has scored three touchdowns in his last two game, rebounding from back-to-back games of single-digit fantasy points in Weeks 9 and 11. His production in the passing game has declined, but the Redskins are so bad on defense, it won’t matter.
Projected Statistics: 19 carries, 100 yards, two touchdowns, three receptions, 50 yards
2.Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Peterson has rushed for 146 and 211 yards in his last two games, respectively. He does have a tougher matchup this week, though, against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points to running backs this year, but just gave up a combined 19 points last week to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running backs last week. In his last six games, Peterson has only fallen below 14 points once (which was against the Seattle Seahawks, so who can blame him?). Peterson always has a chance to break off a big run, and will break 100 yards either way.
Projected Statistics: 33 carries, 120 yards, one touchdown
3.Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
The only team worse than the Redskins against running backs this year has been the Dallas Cowboys, who Forte gets a shot at this week at home. In Week 10, the New Orleans Saints had 244 total rushing yards against the Cowboys, and the New York Giants had 202 two weeks ago. Forte has eclipsed 100 total yards for three straight weeks now, and has done so in five of his last six games. He is the focal point of Chicago’s offense without a doubt, and will continue to get plenty of touches, which he’ll turn into major yardage against the Cowboys.
Projected Statistics: 24 carries, 115 yards, four receptions, 60 yards
4.Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions
Bush isn’t a lock to get 30 touches with the Lions starting to include Joique Bell more in the offense, but the Eagles have been fairly favorable to running backs this year, allowing over 15 points per game. In his past four games, Bush has averaged 5.5 yards per carry, in addition to putting up 100-yard games in Weeks 10 and 13. If Rashad Jennings can rush for over 90 yards against the Eagles (as he did in Week 9), Bush can.
Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 90 yards, one touchdown, five receptions, 30 yards
5.Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
One of the best overall backs in the NFL this season, Lynch struggled in Week 13 despite Seattle’s strong offensive performance Monday night. Prior to that, he was on a two-game streak of 20-plus points, rushing for 145 yards in Week 10 in Atlanta. If Lynch can break 30 yards this week, he’ll become the only NFL player to record 1,000 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, according to ESPN. He’s facing a strong 49ers defense that has only allowed three rushing touchdowns to running backs in the last nine games, but Lynch is such a workhorse that he’ll find his way into the end zone in some way this week.
Projected Statistics: 25 carries, 80 yards, one touchdown