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We here at the Bruno Boys are always discussing how football is a constantly changing landscape. Due to injury, poor play, and Tweets, that definitely holds true for the running back position as we head into Week Eight.
Injury: With Leon Washington done for the season, Shonn Greene now becomes the New York Jets’ No. 2 running back. Based on his 144 yards and two scores in Week Seven, fantasy football owners will want to take notice.
Poor Play: Tim Hightower may be able to find the end zone, but his 3.0 yards per carry just weren’t cutting it. As a result, Beanie Wells recorded 14 carries to Hightower’s four in Week Seven for the Arizona Cardinals.
Tweets: Larry Johnson blasted Kansas City Chief head coach Todd Haley on his Twitter page following the team’s Week Seven loss, a post that used a gay slur. Johnson has been suspended indefinitely, opening the door for Jamaal Charles.
To see where Greene, Wells, and Charles rank in Week Eight, along with the rest of the running backs who will be seeing action, check out the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week Eight Running Back Rankings.
1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ Green Bay
Adrian Peterson has been living up to the offseason billing as the No. 1 fantasy running back. He has rushed 139 times for 693 yards with eight touchdowns this season and has added 18 receptions for 145 yards. He had 18 carries for 69 yards with a touchdown last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who boast the second-ranked rush defense in the NFL.
Peterson should be in line for another big game this week as the Vikings travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers and their No. 12-ranked rush defense. He should be used as a must-start RB1 in all formats.
Point Projection: 22 points
2. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) @ Detroit
On the surface this 2009 season has been a bit of a disappointment for Steven Jackson owners. His 70 fantasy points through seven games has him ranked at No. 13 among running backs, but what he has been able to do in St. Louis’ inept offense is pretty amazing.
He has carried the ball 143 times for 635 yards, which ranks him third in the NFL in rushing yards. He has not scored a touchdown this season, but he has added 21 receptions for 169 yards.
He had 23 carries for 134 yards Week Seven against the Indianapolis Colts, and he has a good matchup this week as the Rams travel to Detroit to play the Lions, who are ranked No. 20 against the run. Jackson should be in line for a very solid game this week and should be considered a high-end RB1.
Point Projection: 20 points
3. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) vs. Jacksonville
Chris Johnson has been one of the few bright spots for the winless Titans this season. He has rushed for 596 yards on 95 carries and has three total touchdowns through Tennessee’s first six games. His 6.3 yards per carry (YPC) are the best in the league among running backs that have at least 50 rushing attempts.
Johnson will be well-rested this week coming off a bye week as the Titans take on a Jacksonville Jaguars team that is ranked 13th against the run this season. Use him as a No. 1 fantasy running back in this matchup.
Point Projection: 18 points
4. Steve Slaton (Houston Texans) @ Buffalo
From a rushing standpoint, this season has seemed like a bit of a sophomore slump for Steve Slaton. He has carried the ball 109 times for 341 yards for an average of 3.1 YPC, but he has made up for a lack of rushing production with 27 receptions for 304 yards. He had 89 total yards Week Seven against the San Francisco 49ers with two touchdowns, giving him five total touchdowns this season.
Slaton has an excellent matchup this week against a Bills team that is ranked dead last against the run and has given up 1,207 rushing yards through seven games. He should be used as a starting fantasy running back in all formats this week.
Point Projection: 18 points
5. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Tennessee
In his first season as the Jaguars' starting running back, Maurice Jones-Drew has 108 carries for 463 yards, and his eight rushing touchdowns are tied for the league lead. He has scored 102 fantasy points through six games, and he is the third-ranked fantasy running back.
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