Fantasy Football Rankings for Week Four: Running Backs

The three-week mark is always very significant because it’s around this time that trends start to develop.

We now know that Arian Foster isn’t just a one-week wonder, Adrian Peterson’s bad week one looks like nothing more than a fluke, and that yes, LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren McFadden have significant fantasy football value in 2010.

With week four comes bye weeks as well, as owners will scrounge their benches or the waiver wire to replace guys like Peterson and Jamaal Charles who won’t be able to help them this week.

Our Fantasy Football Week Four Running Back Rankings breaks down the top 55 guys that are playing this week so you know who you should grab if you’re looking for a bye week replacement this week.

1. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) vs. Denver

Johnson rebounded from his dismal week two performance with 125 yards and two touchdowns. He had a heavy workload on the ground but didn’t catch a pass for the first time this season. Either way, Johnson isn’t known for the numbers he puts up as a receiver, he’s known for what he does as a runner, and he recovered quickly from a bad game which is a big sigh of relief for his fantasy owners.

Johnson and the Titans get the Denver Broncos in week four, a team that completely shut down Joseph Addai and Donald Brown on the ground in week three and are ranked in the top ten against the run. With that being said, the Broncos haven’t faced a runner of Johnson’s caliber yet, and you can expect him to make it two 100-yard games in a row in week four while finding the end zone at least once yet again.
Point Projection: 23 points

2. Arian Foster (Houston Texans) @ Oakland

Foster managed 106 yards on 17 carries in week three against the Dallas Cowboys, so it was another solid performance for Foster.

He did fumble, which has been a bit of a problem for him in the past, but with the way he’s been playing and the lack of options the Texans have, he is in no risk of losing his starting job.

Foster has a great matchup against a weak Oakland Raiders' defense in week four. The Raiders allowed 119 yards to the Arizona Cardinals in week three, so Foster should have a big Sunday.

Foster’s owners may have something to worry about if he fumbles again this week, but the way he is running he’s a must start in all leagues as he continues to hold plenty of value.
Point Projection: 20 points

3. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) vs. San Francisco

Turner alleviated worries about his groin injury by carrying the ball 30 times on Sunday for 114 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons big win over the New Orleans Saints.

Backup running back Jason Snelling, who had a big week two replacing the injured Turner, also got 14 carries, so the Falcons are clearly looking to push the envelope on the ground. Snelling won’t eat too much into Turner’s production, but it is worth noting that he will get a solid amount of carries each week so hopefully if you own Turner you were able to snag Snelling as his handcuff.

The Falcons get the 0-3 San Francisco 49ers in week four, a team that allowed 207 rushing yards to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, so Turner will look to feast on the struggling Niners. He may not get 30 carries again, but against a reeling defense he should have no trouble reaching 100 yards again in week four. 
Point Projection: 19 points

4. Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) vs. Carolina

Usually when a running back gets just 30 yards on nine carries it’s considered a bad day, but Thomas also managed 61 yards on six receptions and he is becoming a big threat in the passing game which increases his value in PPR leagues.

Despite this, there are two minor points of concern to take a look at:

First, Thomas injured his ankle with just 17 seconds left, but he was able to return to the game and it doesn’t seem to be that serious.

Secondly, Thomas had just two more carries than Chris Ivory. However, Ivory managed just 13 yards with those carries and fumbled the ball, so it doesn’t look like Thomas should lose too many carries in the coming weeks. He’s a huge part of this offense with Reggie Bush out and is a great start this week against a struggling Carolina Panthers defense that let up a pretty big day to Cedric Benson in week 3.

Thomas is a good option this week and should continue to be throughout the season.
Point Projection: 18 points

To see where your Running Back Ranks click here... Week 4 RB Ranks