RB Rankings for Week 16

Like with the Wide Receivers, I added some backs to the list for Championship week.

I know I am not remotely alone in ranking Pierre Thomas as the number one back this week. I get that. But I have to agree with the group-think this week - and I swear have had Thomas in the top three for this week since Reggie Bush went down and even prior to that I thought he was due for a big game. Now the Brees/Saints will throw for sure. But Thomas is on fire the last two weeks and looked very good with a full load against the Bears. The pass game will keep the Lions honest and this should lock a job with the Saints for Thomas in 2009.

Brian Westbrook had been torching opposing defenses until last week, where he came back down to earth neither breaking 100 total yards nor scoring a touchdown. He also lacked carries - the prior two weeks he had carried the rock more than 20 times each and he should see that number of carries and touches this week. Washington's D has fallen to pieces and have allowed 361 yards on the ground over the last the weeks.

It's about time, but Steven Jackson says he is finally ready for a breakout game. Aside from mocking him for the fact that anyone's breakout game comes in week 16, much less a vet like Jackson - I think he's got something here and is primed for a really great day and is coming off a pretty darned good performance against Seattle. It's just in time for your Fantasy Championship and he should be worth that first round pick you spent if he can win you that trophy.

Despite being fourth on the list, Adrian Peterson is driven for a rushing title and he will put forth his usual great effort again this week against a rush defense that has allowed 120 yds per game and allowed 15 TDs during the season. They played well against Tampa Bay but overall have struggled against the run the last month or so. Peterson is a must start this week and should put forth a very good start for your Championship lineup.

For a little while in the beginning of the season, Thomas Jones looked to be on his way towards another disapppointing season - but lo, and the Favre got his head around the offense and the Mangini actually chose to run the ball - and now Jones is over 1100 yards and topping 13 touchdowns for the year. He's had a TD 7 of the last 8 games - 10 of them total in fact and faces a run defense ranked 21st in the league and allowing 13 rush TDs thus far. I think Jones will be asked to run the ball a lot in order to make sure the Jets control the clock in this must win game on their last trip west.

Running Backs

1. Pierre Thomas, Saints vs. Lions
2. Brian Westbrook, Eagles at Redskins
3. Steven Jackson, Rams vs. 49ers
4. Adrian Peterson, Vikings vs. Falcons
5. Thomas Jones, Jets at Seahawks
6. Marshawn Lynch, Bills at Broncos
7. Michael Turner, Falcons at Vikings
   
8. Steve Slaton, Texans at Raiders
9. Matt Forte, Bears vs. Packers
10. Clinton Portis, Redskins vs. Eagles
11. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers at Buccaneers
12. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins at Chiefs
13. Tashard Choice, Cowboys vs. Ravens
14. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers at Giants
15. Brandon Jacobs, Giants vs. Panthers
16. Kevin Smith, Lions vs. Saints
17. Chris Johnson, Titans vs. Steelers
18. Jamal Lewis, Browns vs. Bengals
19. Larry Johnson, Chiefs vs. Dolphins
20. Cedric Benson, Bengals at Browns
21. Ricky Williams, Dolphins at Chiefs
22. Darren McFadden, Raiders vs Texans
23. Ryan Grant, Packers at Bears
24. Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers vs. Chargers
25. Le’Ron McClain, Ravens at Cowboys
    
26. Sammy Morris, Patriots vs. Cardinals
27. P.J. Pope, Broncos vs. Bills
    
28. Maurice Morris, Seahawks vs. Jets
29. DeShaun Foster, 49ers at Rams
30. Willie Parker, Steelers at Titans
31. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers at Giants
32. Leon Washington, Jets at Seahawks
33. J.J. Arrington, Cardinals at Patriots
    
34. Chester Taylor, Vikings vs. Falcons
35. Warrick Dunn, Buccaneers vs. Chargers
36. Kevin Faulk, Patriots vs. Cardinals
37. Justin Fargas, Raiders vs. Texans
38. Tatum Bell, Broncos vs. Bills
39. Tim Hightower, Cardinals at Patriots
40. Mewelde Moore, Steelers at Titans
41. LaMont Jordan, Patriots vs. Cardinals
42. Ray Rice, Ravens at Cowboys
43. LenDale White, Titans vs. Steelers
44. Derrick Ward, Giants vs. Panthers