Week 8 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Darren Sproles, Ryan Mathews and Other RBs to Start

When setting your fantasy football lineups for Week 8 of the NFL season, you should consider these running backs as safe starts: 

Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

Sproles has been a consistent fantasy option this season for the simple fact that he's such an accomplished receiver out of the backfield. His 45 catches through seven games for a back is a fantastic number.

That being said, Sproles is starting to see more and more carries. He's totaled over 50 rushing yards in three of his last four games. The receptions are always going to be there, but the rushing numbers are what make Sproles a must-start this weekend against the Rams. Don't forget that St. Louis has the worst run defense in the NFL, either. The Saints should be doing plenty of running on Sunday.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mendenhall owners let out a sigh of relief when, two weeks ago, the Steelers back returned from injury and busted off 143 yards and a score against the Jaguars.

However, a week later, Mendenhall couldn't crack 40 yards against the Cardinals.

What's in store this week when the Patriots stroll into Pittsburgh?

Expect the number to be somewhere in the middle. The Pats have actually been decent against the run in 2011. However, there will be red zone opportunities for Mendenhall, and New England has given up a rushing touchdown to a back in four of six games this season.  

Ryan Mathews, San Deigo Chargers

Recent thumb surgery is always worrisome for a back, and Mathews delivered his worst performance of 2011 against the Jets.

Is that more due to the thumb or the Jets defense? Let's bank on the defense that he was facing.

Mathews takes on the Chiefs on Monday night. The first time they met, he burned Kansas City for 149 total yards and two scores.

Jackie Battle, Kansas City Chiefs

There's really no point for the Chiefs not to give Battle the lion's share of carries moving forward, since he's proven to be plenty capable of carrying the load.

If that's the case on Monday night, Battle could be in for solid numbers. In their last two games, the Chargers' run defense has given up over 100 yards to opposing running backs.

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

You'll start him this week because of the 253 yards he posted last week against the Rams, but he also faces a favorable matchup in Week 8 against the Eagles.

While Philadelphia held Washington's running backs to just 28 yards a week ago, the Eagles are still the 31st-ranked defense against opposing running backs in 2011.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

The Titans aren't going to bench this guy. Just a month and a half ago, the team gave him millions of dollars. So don't worry about that.

However, Johnson does need to wake up and realize that football has started in 2011. If he hits the snooze through a matchup against the 29th-ranked fantasy run defense, then it might be time to worry.