At this point in the season, it’s no secret who are the top backs. Unfortunately, this ranking is void of a regular, Adrian Peterson for presumably the remainder of the year with an ankle injury. But who will take over as some of the top fantasy backs for the fantasy playoffs?

1. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

The man who has been the second best fantasy back all year certainly deserves this spot with Peterson down. In the last three weeks, Charles has scored 27 fantasy points twice, and a measly 17 in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. Charles is the highest scoring fantasy back this year, and there’s no reason to expect decreased production against the Oakland Raiders, who have allowed four rushing touchdowns to running backs in the last two games. In the next two or three weeks, Charles could see decreased work as the Chiefs prepare for the playoffs, but he’ll be fine this week.

Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 100 yards, one touchdown, seven receptions, 80 yards

2. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

In the snow last week, McCoy scored 33 fantasy points. That about sums up how great of a year he’s had, putting up double-digit fantasy points in all but three of his games this year. He leads the NFL in total yards, and should have another successful Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, who are allowing over 19 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Not much more to know here, other than that McCoy is one of the top three backs in the league, even when there’s a healthy Peterson in the league.

Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 100 yards, one touchdown, four receptions, 40 yards

3. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

There’s no doubt that opposing defenses are starting to focus their gameplan around stopping Lynch, who has just 18 total fantasy points in the last two games after scoring more than 20 points in Weeks 10 and 11. However, he played two tough defenses in Weeks 13 and 14 in the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. Lynch gets the New York Giants this week, who are pretty average at stopping running backs, but did allow Ryan Mathews to rush for 103 yards. Expect a significantly better game out of Lynch than his last two outings.

Projected Statistics: 17 carries, 95 yards, one touchdown, three receptions, 40 yards

4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Everyone knows what the Bears offense did to the Dallas Cowboys’ defense on Monday night, but it’s still worth nothing that Forte had over 170 total yards. Unfortunately for Forte owners, he hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown in five weeks, and he draws a tougher matchup in Week 15 in the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed just eight rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs. But Forte has caught at least two passes in every game this year, and the Bears’ offense will continue to run through Forte until teams can show that they can slow him down.

Projected Statistics: 14 carries, 90 yards, four receptions, 25 yards, one receiving touchdown

5. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers

At this point, any running back playing the Dallas Cowboys should be in the top 10, and a back as hard-hitting as Lacy deserves to be even higher. However, Lacy is going to be a game-time decision this week with an ankle injury, which he suffered in the first half of last week’s game. But if he does play, owners can watch the yardage rack up against the Cowboys, who are allowing the most points to running backs this year. The Cowboys’ defense is bad, and Lacy is a great, young runner.

Projected Statistics: 23 carries, 140 yards, two receptions, 20 yards