Since Week 1, Week 6 seems the best week to be a running back. The only teams on bye are the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins, who don’t have any backs in the top 10 this season.
Over a quarter of the way through the season, which backs are taking the reigns over the top spot?
1. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, Adrian Peterson isn’t on bye this week, but Charles still gets the top spot. Facing the Oakland Raiders this week, Charles is poised for a game of upwards of 20 points. Oakland is allowing just under 15 points to opposing running backs, and their opponents’ backs average over 31 receiving yards per game. That’s great news for Charles, who has caught at least three passes in each of his five games and has scored two receiving touchdowns. Charles finally broke the 100-yard rushing mark last week against the Titans, and could get past that mark again this week.
Projected Statistics: 22 carries, 100 yards, one touchdown, five receptions, 40 yards
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
He couldn’t fall any further than second, could he? Peterson is averaging 118.3 yards and a touchdown and half every game. The only thing holding him back this week is his matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who are only allowing running backs to gain 83 yards per game and just half a touchdown. Linebacker Luke Kuechly has 38 tackles, three of them for a loss. This just isn’t a good matchup for Peterson.
Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 95 yards, one touchdown
3. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
This is easily the highest Murray will be on this list this season, that is until the Cowboys play the Redskins again. They have allowed 142.3 yards per game on the ground to opponents and a touchdown, so Murray is at least guaranteed 100 yards, just because of how bad Washington is on defense.
Projected Statistics: 25 carries, 135 yards, three receptions, 35 yards
4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Forte has yet to score less than 11.5 fantasy points, and has had two games of over 17 fantasy points. Forte’s touchdown production is what’s holding him back, but he’s in a favorable matchup this week against the New York Giants. However, wide receiver Brandon Marshall expressed interest in getting the ball more often this week, so it could be a lot of Jay Cutler in Week 6.
Projected Statistics: 16 carries, 80 yards, four receptions, 40 yards
5. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Lynch edges out LeSean McCoy for this last spot, mainly because he is a lock for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, who are allowing 0.6 to opponents per game and are giving up over 16 points per game to them. Lynch may not break 100 yards with Russell Wilson finally coming into his own, but he’ll get an easy six points this week.
Projected Statistics: 22 carries, 70 yards, one touchdown