This was terrible week for injuries in general, but the running back position took two big hits to Arian Foster and Doug Martin. Foster tweaked his hamstring, and Martin’s season could be over, according to ESPN.

So which running backs are ready to step up and take a hold of the top five spots in Week 8 at the running back position?

1. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Because of Lynch’s recent performance and because of his matchup, he’s worthy of the top spot this week. Lynch has had games of 31, 18, 27 and most recently 15 points in this season and is currently second in the NFL in rushing yards (although he has yet to have a bye). Expect another game of 25-plus points in Week 8 against the St. Louis Rams, who are giving up the third most points to running backs. For a guy who has scored seven total touchdowns and has surpassed 90 total yards in every game this season, that seems like the best matchup possible.

Projected Statistics: 21 carries, 90 yards, two touchdowns, four receptions, 45 yards

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

*Note: This is being written prior to Minnesota’s Monday night game against the New York Giants

If it wasn’t for Peterson’s matchup this week, he’d back in the top spot. But he has to take on the Green Bay Packers, who have only given up three rushing touchdowns this season. The good news for Peterson is he has a history of performing well against the Vikings rivals. In two games last season against the Packers, Peterson carried the ball 55 times for 409 yards, and scored three total touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). If Josh Freeman is able to get things going in Minnesota in the air, it should give Peterson some extra running room, allowing him to stay in the top five this week against a tough defense.

Projected Statistics: 23 carries, 85 yards, one touchdown, six receptions 45 yards

3. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Don’t let the Cleveland Browns’ strong offense hold you back on expecting big things from Charles in Week 8. Cleveland does have a strong front seven, but they have allowed seven rushing touchdowns to opponents, and have given up 249 receiving yards to running backs in seven games. Charles has had three or more receptions in every game this season, and has surpassed 100 total yards and scored at least one touchdown in every game this season, giving him automatic top three value.

Projected Statistics: 21 carries, 85 yards, one touchdown, four receptions, 30 yards

4. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

*Note: Like Peterson, the statistics for the Giants defense are prior to Monday’s game

McCoy stumbled in Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys in what was a surprisingly defensive game, but will rebound this Sunday against the New York Giants. The Giants are 27th in the league in rushing defense, allowing 123.3 yards per game to their opponents. Opposing running backs have rushed for 540 yards against the Giants in six games, and have picked up an addition 286 yards in the air.

Prior to Week 7, McCoy had only dipped below 10 points once and had scored 15 or more points in every other game. Expect him to bounce back this week.

Projected Statistics: 18 carries, 75 yards, seven receptions, 40 yards, one receiving touchdown

5. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

Gore breaks my top five for the first time this season, leading up to an overseas game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville is allowing 23 points per game to running backs, and because of the time change, both teams will be tired. Expect the 49ers defense to hold the Jaguars to relatively nothing on offense, allowing Gore to get a ridiculous number of carries late in the game for some garbage time fantasy value.

Projected Statistics: 25 carries, 100 yards, one touchdown