RB Rankings for Week 8

Clinton Portis has been having a monster season and somehow people still expect the wheels to come off at any minute. They won't, especially not this week. As bad as I said in the first two posts that Detroit's pass defense is, the run defense is just as bad if not worse. Portis should see as much success as Steve Slaton and Ahman did combined.

Yes, Frank Gore and the 49rs struggled against the Giants last week. But I don't think I need to point out that Seattle is nowhere near the Giants' league. While Seattle had a better week defensively than they have had of late, it's not the norm and Gore should bounce back. In the plus column will also be new couch Mike Singletary who I believe will work hard to make sure Gore - the marquee piece of the offense - gets his carries and that offensive line opens lanes for him and protects JT O'Sullivan. Just because he has kept Martz, don't think he'll let Martz let the QB get killed or the running back get stuffed again.

Steven Jackson is hampered a bit by a quadriceps injury and is listed as 'questionable' but I think he'll play and if he does, the Patriots will have a hard time containing him. While they have played well against the run, I think Jackson is playing too well to be contained and it seems as though the Rams have turned things around. If that's the case, Jackson is the key to keeping it going.

It's hard to know what LaDainian Tomlinson will do week to week, but reports are that his toe feels back to normal. Sure, the Saints can air it out, but the weather and the lousy pitch in London might make that tough so they won't just run away with the game. If Tomlinson is healthy, the Chargers need to get him back on track. The Saints are a middle of the pack rush defense and got beat up by the Panthers last week for 143 yards and a TD. I think the Chargers will run LT hard and Tomlinson will rise to the challenge.

I expected Thomas Jones to have a good season and it may be that he has finally started that process. Three TDs two weeks ago and a 159 yards last week. He can combien the tow (to some extent) against the team that is 32nd against the run and has allowed more yards and more TDs on the ground than any other franchise this year. The Jets might try to air the ball out a bit and get Favre's groove back, but they will definitely pound Thomas early and often. Kansas City is a phenomenal matchup for nearly any back and has the potential to vault them to the #1 fantasy RB spot for that week. I don't think Jones will do that but he will certainly do well in a game the Jets have to win after last week's debacle in Oakland.


Other thoughts - Is this Deuce McAllister's last hurrah for a while? That steroid rumor is bizarre. Still he should have a good game in the mud at Wembly this week with Bush out..... Brandon Jacobs is a stud sure, but I really, really hate this matchup.... LenDale White should benefit from a great matchup this week, but don't expect last week to happen again.... Benjarvus Green-Ellis is a guy I want to rank higher but we just have no read on him yet, though I have liked him since we profiled him on Draftguys.TV. Big weekend for him and potentially a great dark horse for the rest of the season.... Le’Ron McClain is another guy who feels like he should be higher, but has had a couple of dud games. If he shines this week and you can do it, you might want to move him.....


Running backs

1. Clinton Portis, Redskins at Lions
2. Frank Gore, 49ers vs. Seahawks
3. Steven Jackson, Rams at Patriots
4. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers vs. Saints
5. Thomas Jones, Jets vs. Chiefs
6. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars vs. Browns
7. Chris Johnson, Titans vs. Colts
8. Brian Westbrook, Eagles vs. Falcons
9. Marshawn Lynch, Bills at Dolphins
10. Steve Slaton, Texans vs. Bengals
11. Earnest Graham, Buccaneers at Cowboys
12. Marion Barber, Cowboys vs. Buccaneers
13. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins vs. Bills
14. Willis McGahee, Ravens vs. Raiders
15. Michael Turner, Falcons at Eagles
16. Deuce McAllister, Saints vs. Chargers
17. Brandon Jacobs, Giants at Steelers
18. Jamal Lewis, Browns at Jaguars
19. LenDale White, Titans vs. Colts
20. Mewelde Moore, Steelers vs. Giants
    
21. Leon Washington, Jets vs. Chiefs
22. Edgerrin James, Cardinals at Panthers
23. Tim Hightower, Cardinals at Panthers
24. Julius Jones, Seahawks at 49ers
25. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots vs. Rams
26. Dominic Rhodes, Colts at Titans
27. Fred Taylor, Jaguars vs. Browns
28. Cedric Benson, Bengals at Texans
29. Jerious Norwood, Falcons at Eagles
30. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers vs. Cardinals
31. Maurice Morris, Seahawks at 49ers
32. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers vs. Cardinals
33. Le’Ron McClain, Ravens vs. Raiders
34. Ahman Green, Texans vs. Bengals
35. Justin Fargas, Raiders at Ravens