Fantasy Football 2009 Week 3 Running Back Rankings

1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) vs. San Francisco – Peterson didn’t disappoint in week 2 after running circles around Detroit in week 1. He racked up 119 total yards and a TD in week 2. This weeks match up might be a little tougher with the 49ers defense getting better, but he is still AD. another 125 + yard day with at least a TD

2. Maurice Jones Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Houston – Last week against the Cardinals, MJD fell victim to a big defecit forcing Jacksonville to throw the ball. Houston has the weapons to run up the score, but the Jags will force feed the ball to Jones Drew. This should be a real good game for MJD. 120/1

3. Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills) vs. New Orleans – Last game for Freddy as Marshawn Lynch returns from suspension next week. Jackson certainly earned to chance to continue starting. The Bills will do everything possible to keep Drew Brees off the field, this means mondo carries for Jackson. 120/1

4. Matt Forte (Chicago Bears) @ Seattle – Forte might be the early lead for bust of the year after an awesome rookie season. Yet to score a TD or break 100 yards or 75 yards, or 60 yards. You get the picture. But this week against Seattle he will regain his game and give fantasy owners is first double digit performance.

5. Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) @ Detroit – Portis is off to a decent year with about 70 yards rushing a game. Still no TD. The perfect tonic for a good game with a TD…The Lions rush defense.

6. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) @ New England – Turner got back to basics last week and piled up 105 yards and a TD against the Panthers. This week he faces the same New England defense that got ran on by the Jets in week 2. It would be fair to expect another 105, make it 110 with a score.

7. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) @ Minnesota - Frank Gore killed the Seahawks last week with 207 yards and 2 TDs. Add to that his 39 yards receiving, and he did a decent job. The Vikings defense just allowed Kevin Smith to rush for 83 yards, and Gore i a tad better.

8. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers) @ Dallas - I was down on this guy this off season. Chalk that one up in the loss column. So far. Williams will continue to make me and defenses look stupid, continuing his tear against the Cowboys. They have been giving up 135 yards a game on the ground. 110/1

9. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) @ New York Jets - The Jets defense is pretty damn good. So is CJ. No way he repeats his crazy week 2, but a solid RB2 performance this week for Johnson as he should tally up a 100 yard game and a score.

10. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) vs. Green Bay – In a losing effort last week, Jackson still 119 total yards. Green Bay just got shredded by Cedric Benson for 141 yards. The Pack’s defense isn’t that bad. But Jackson is god enough to get to triple digits this week.

11. Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers) @ St. Louis - Grant is off to a good/bad year. The yards aren’t there but he scored TDs in both games so far. This week against the Rams, he will be facing his weakest opponent this season. 95/1

12. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Kansas City – The Chiefs weak rush defense is just what the doctor ordered for Westy. As long as he is healthy Westbrook will get back to triple digit totals and get to paydirt. Problem is, if the Eagles go up early they may rest him.

13. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) @ Tampa Bay – The Bucs defense ranks 27th against the run. Brandon hasn’t made it into the end zone yet. But this week seems like all the stars are aligning just right. 90/1

14. Ronnie Brown (Miami Dolphins) @ San Diego - Ronnie had a real good game against Indy last week. He got 136 yards and 2 TDs. Let the good times roll against a banged up Chargers defense.

15. Steve Slaton (Houston Texans) vs. Jacksonville – This is a grudge ranking. I have been talking shit about this guy all off season. If he can’t get his act together against the Jaguars, which just got hammered by Tim Hightower and Beenie Wells of all people, there is a huge problem.

16. Kevin Smith (Detroit Lions) vs. Washington – After a week 1 blowout, Smith responded with 83 yards against the Vikings defense in week 2. Smith is a good back and will get a few good gains against the Redskins D. A decent game for Smith 75/1

17. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland – Rice gets the yards. McGahee get the TDs. And Cleveland is the worst football team ever. F Mangini.

18. Willis McGaheee (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland – Rice gets the yards. McGahee get the TDs. And Cleveland is the worst football team ever. F Mangini.

19. Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers) vs. Miami – Miami’s defense does not have the tools to stop Sproles or Tomlinson for that matter. Regardless if LT plays Sproles will get his chances especially in passing downs as he racked up 124 yards receiving last week.

20. Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Indianapolis – The Colts defense just got shredded by Ronnie Brown, and Tim Hightower is off to a solid season, and has been getting the bulk of the carries. Expect a good game from him this week.

Noteworthy Running Back Notes

Cowboys RB Marion Barber walked out to the practice field in full gear and flashed a thumb’s up. His tight left thigh was feeling fine on Wednesday-or, at least, good enough to give it a test run.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook was held out of practice Wednesday with what coach Andy Reid described as a “slightly sprained ankle” that he suffered in Week 2 against the Saints. Reid said the swelling in Westbrook’s right ankle has lessened. “It is actually down, way down,” Reid told reporters. “There is very little swelling in there right now, which is a good thing.”

Falcons RB Jerious Norwood did not practice Wednesday and might not be available for the game against New England on Sunday. Norwood suffered a head injury Sunday against Carolina, and coach Mike Smith said Norwood was “day by day.”

Browns RB Jamal Lewis was not on the field for practice during the first 30 minutes open to the media Thursday. Lewis did not practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury. If Lewis can’t go Sunday against his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, coach Eric Mangini may be forced to start rookie James Davis, a sixth-round pick from Clemson.