Chances are, if you own any of these five guys, you’re still in the hunt for a fantasy championship. Which at this point of the season, it doesn’t mean much, because you’re not benching them. But which backs are primed for the best game in the second-to-last week of the season?
1. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Who can deny a five touchdown game and one of the greatest fantasy performances of all time? Charles put up 51 fantasy points against the Oakland Raiders, catching eight passes for 195 and four receiving touchdowns, rushing for one other. According to ESPN, Charles became only the fifth person in the last 50 seasons to have at least 200 yards from scrimmage and score five touchdowns, so why have him any lower than No. 1? His Week 16 opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, have allowed 100-plus rushing yards to running backs in four consecutive games. Don’t think that Charles will slump coming off his monster game.
Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 90 yards, one touchdown, seven receptions, 90 yards
2. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
Despite getting blown out last week by the Minnesota Vikings, McCoy still managed to manufacture nine fantasy points on 13 touches. He’ll have a significantly better game against a Chicago Bears defense who have one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Chicago is allowing over five yards per carry this year, and has given up 17 rushing touchdowns this season. Don’t worry about McCoy, the Eagles still have plenty to play for and McCoy will continue to be the focal point of the offense.
Projected Statistics: 31 carries, 140 yards, one touchdown, three receptions, 30 yards
3. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Opposite of McCoy, Forte will be looking to pull the Bears to a playoff spot in these last two games as he has all season. Forte has broken 100 rushing yards in three straight games, although he has been held out of the end zone four times since Chicago’s Week 8 bye. Philadelphia’s defense has also been better than fans and some analysts will want to give them credit for, but Forte has been so consistent this season it’s tough to think he’ll struggle.
Projected Statistics: 23 carries, 115 yards, two receptions, 10 yards, one touchdown
4. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
It looks like Peterson will be back for this one after missing last week’s game. He doesn’t have the best matchup in the Cincinnati Bengals, which is why he’s down this week, but he’s Adrian Peterson, which comes with his four games of 20-plus fantasy points and two games prior to his injury of a combined 357 rushing yards. The Bengals have allowed only three rushing touchdowns this year to running backs, but given Peterson’s strong history of success he’s still a must start.
Projected Statistics: 28 carries, 100 yards, one touchdown
5. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
Talk about showing up at the right time. After fighting through some early struggles in the season, including poor performance and an injury, Murray has caught fire since Dallas’s Week 11 bye, scoring double-digit fantasy points in four games including two games of 20-plus points. His recent success will be compounded by Washington’s dreadful defense, which is allowing the second most points to opposing running backs. The Redskins have only allowed one game of single-digit fantasy points to running backs this season, so expect Murray to break the top five this week.
Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 90 yards, one touchdown