RB Rankings for Week 12

LT has not been himself this season - more because of Oline play than a decline in his ability, no matter what Fantasy owners think. But the Colts are still averaging 138.5 yards allowed per game and have given up 15 rushing TDs. Those who expect Tomlinson to continue to struggle may be in for a surprise the rest of the way. The key is the offensive line though and some of those matchups may be more about how they play than the strength of the run defense. This week I think both the oline and LT get the job done.

Matt Forté has had a tremendous rookie season and will be going up against a staggering Rams team. While Kyle Orton is still getting his legs underneath him after his injury, Forté will continue to carry the load. The Rams will be hard pressed to stop this playmaker either on the ground or through the air.

The biggest challenge facing Adrian Peterson any given week may just be Brad Childress. he had a great first half against the Bucs but Childress looked other directions for most of the rest of the game. Some of that was the Bucs scheme but some of it was flat out impossible to figure out. Against a shaky Jags D, Peterson should be gold, but one can only hope Childress keeps his biggest playmaker on the field, especially late in the game when the D is run down.

The biggest recipient of good fortune because of Tony Romo's return is defintitely Marion Barber, as shown by his huge game last week. Barber can be dominating and showed it last week, burying the Redskins in the 4th quarter. The 49rs may be playing tougher since Mike Singletary took over but they are still a middling 17th in the NFL against the rush and that's not good enough to slow Barber down.

Frank Gore had a great game last week against the sad-sack Rams and while he faces a bigger challenge this week, it's not so big I can't see him having success this week as well. Dallas did play well last week against Clinton Portis, so there is a worry they may start rolling but Gore is healthier than Portis and will be the sole focal point of his team. And while that makes him a huge focus of the defense as well, Gore is the type of top-flight RB who can overcome it.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers vs. Colts
2. Matt Forté, Bears at Rams
3. Adrian Peterson, Vikings at Jaguars
4. Marion Barber, Cowboys vs. 49ers
5. Frank Gore, 49ers at Cowboys
6. Marshawn Lynch, Bills at Chiefs
7. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers at Falcons
8. Steve Slaton, Texans at Browns
9. Michael Turner, Falcons vs. Panthers
10. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars vs. Vikings
11. Joseph Addai, Colts at Chargers
12. Warrick Dunn, Buccaneers at Lions
13. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins vs. Patriots
14. Clinton Portis, Redskins at Seahawks
15. Ryan Grant, Packers at Saints
16. Chris Johnson, Titans vs. Jets
17. Jamal Lewis, Browns vs. Texans
18. Thomas Jones, Jets at Titans
19. Brian Westbrook, Eagles at Ravens
20. Larry Johnson, Chiefs vs. Bills
21. LenDale White, Titans vs. Jets
22. Peyton Hillis, Broncos vs. Raiders
23. Derrick Ward, Giants at Cardinals
24. Brandon Jacobs, Giants at Cardinals
25. Kevin Smith, Lions vs. Buccaneers
26. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers at Falcons
27. Willis McGahee, Ravens vs. Eagles
28. Darren McFadden, Raiders at Broncos
29. Justin Fargas, Raiders at Broncos
30. Pierre Thomas, Saints vs. Packers
31. Ahman Green, Texans at Browns
32. Julius Jones, Seahawks vs. Redskins
33. Jerious Norwood, Falcons vs. Panthers
34. Kevin Faulk, Patriots at Dolphins
35. Antonio Pittman, Rams vs. Bears
36. Tim Hightower, Cardinals vs. Giants
37. Deuce McAllister, Saints vs. Packers
38. Ray Rice, Ravens vs. Eagles
39. Leon Washington, Jets at Titans