Fantasy Football 2009 Week 5 Running Back Rankings

1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ St. Louis – The best Running Back against the worst defense. Well at least the 24th worse. Good things. 130/2

2. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Seattle – Have no fear MJD owners. It was just 1 game. Seattle has the 21st ranked rush defense. which isn’t terrible, but isn’t great. MJD will get back on track this week, even if the game is in Seattle. 120/1

3. Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys) @ Kansas City – MB Thrice got a bit banged up a couple weeks ago. He came back strong with 13 carries for 68 yards and a TD. The Chiefs rush defense is ranked 23rd. If Barber stays healthy, his workload will increase. 110/1.5

4. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) vs. Indianapolis – The only way to beat the Colts is to keep Peyton on the sideline. And it would a bad move for Jeff Fisher not to run CJ on every play. Every play. Indy’s rush defense is pretty good coming in at 16. All it will take is one long run to put CJ over the 100 yard mark. 115/1

5. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) vs. Oakland – You gotta love Jacobs this week. Oakland is fielding the 26th worse rush defense, and Eli has healinitis. Give the big man the rock baby. 110/1

6. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers) vs. Washington - DeAngelo is having himself a nice solid season so far. Carolina is coming off the team’s bye and should be recharged at home. Continuing his nice season with a solid game from Williams against the Skins 22nd ranked rush defense.

7. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Tampa Bay – The Bucs rush defense ranks 30th against the run. And it looks like Westy will be healthy coming off his bye week. Even if McCoy gets touches, BW will still get his, and he will make them count. 105/1

8. Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) @ Carolina – The Panthers have themselves the worst rush defense in the league. Clinton is coming off a pretty solid 98 yard 25 carry effort last week.

9. Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Detroit – What an awesome game Rashard had last week on Sunday Night. 191 total yards and 2 TDs. Even if Willie Parker plays, RM should see the bulk of the load and a nice day in Detroit.

10. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) @ San Francisco – Not exactly the start everyone thought he would have. But still solid. San Fran is sporting the third ranked rush defense. Don’t expect huge numbers, but a solid 100/1

11. Jerome Harrison (Cleveland Browns) @ Buffalo – Harrison has filled in nicely for the injured Jamal Lewis. And even if Lewis comes back, Jerome should still get the bulk. And he can have a good game against the Bills 27th ranked rush defense. 95/1

12. Ronnie Brown (Miami Dolphins) vs. New York Jets – The Jets have a pretty good defense, but Pierre Thomas did rip them for a nice day in week 4.

13. Knowshon Moreno (Denver Broncos) vs. New England – After a slow start to his rookie year, Knowshon has turned it on. With backfield-mate Correll Buckhalter hurting, all the carries will go to Moreno. The Patriots have the 11th ranked rush defense, but KM will continue improving and he will improve on his 76 total yards and a TD last week with closer to 100 this week.

14. Steve Slaton (Houston Texans) @ Arizona – Slaton seems likes he is on his way back. 98 yards and 2 TDs against Oakland. Arizona’a defense is better than Oakland’s. This game has shoot out written all over it. Which will keep SS down a bit. Just a bit. 95/1

15. Glen Coffee (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Atlanta – The Falcons have struggled against the run in 2009 so far ranking 25th. Glen Coffee got 28 touches last week and racked up 106 yards. Not great,but it shows he will get the work until Frank Gore comes back. 90/1

16. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cincinnati – Ray Rice backed up his first TD with 152 total yards last week against the Patriots. The guy is a stud in the making. Aren’t you glad you got him late? 100/.5

17. Julius Jones (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Jacksonville - JJ is having a pretty decent season this year. He’s averaging 4.4 yards a carry, and Jacksonville is not very good against the run. Another nice effort from Jones this week. Flex him if you got him.85/1

18. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) vs. Minnesota – Jackson has the talent to be a top 5 back. But his surroundings are keeping him down. The Vikings are the best against the run in the past 3 seasons in the NFL. Jackson is still good enough to post at least 90 total and get into the end zone

19. Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Houston – The Texans have the 29th ranked rush defense, but this game can turn to the air real fast this week. If that happens Hightower, just like Slaton will feel the effects. Some have him ranked higher, I as you see, do not, Still a good game though. 85/1

20. Thomas Jones (New York Jets) @ Miami - The addition of Braylon Edwards will certainly help open up the middle of the field for Jones. But until that all gets settled, don’t expect a huge game this week from Jones. But Jones will get his carries and that means yards. And maybe a bonus TD like last week in New Orleans.