Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings: Running Backs (AFC/NFC Championship Round)

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To help the Bruno Boys Nation win FREE PRIZES, we bring to you the AFC/NFC Championship Round Running Back Rankings.

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1. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Arizona

After putting up 121 total yards and 1 TD in the Wild Card game against the Vikings, Westbrook sunk to only 46 total yards and did not visit pay dirt against the Giants last week. What does that mean against the Cardinals? Not too much as the Giants have killed RB's all year long.

What does make this interesting is that the Cardinals have held Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams to very average games in their first two wins during the playoffs. The talent is pretty thin at the RB position for this weeks games, auto-defaulting Westbrook into the Bruno Boys position No. 1 for the week.

But make no bones about it, this is a game that Westbrook should see plenty of yardage and maybe even a few TDs.

Point Projection: 22 points

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2. Le'Ron McClain (Baltimore Ravens) @ Pittsburgh  **CHECK STATUS**

Last week McClain sprained his ankle against the Titans and was limited to 12 yards on 12 carries. His status for this weeks game against the Steelers is not yet known, but it is expected that McClain will get plenty of rest in hopes that he will be able to carry the workload.

The only problem is that the Steelers are a top rush defense and could probably contain McClain even if he were healthy. If he can walk, he will be in the game and he will be used much more than any of their other RBs. Let's face it; this game leapfrogs teams into the Super Bowl. McClain, if suited up, will come out fighting.

Point Projection: 11 points

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3. Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Baltimore

The Ravens give up very few rushing TD's and Parker doesn't score many TD's. So without having to analyze this much there is no doubt that the points that he earns will be due to yardage gained on the ground.

As big of a game as this is, Parker will find a way to have an adequate game. But if you are expecting anything more than 80 rushing yards you are going to be very disappointed.

Point Projection: Eight points

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4. Edgerrin James (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Philadelphia

The Cardinals leaned heavily onto their running back tandem last week against Carolina and neither disappointed. But the Panthers rush defense is no where near what the Eagles bring to the table.

Don't expect any TDs from either Cardinals back, although both should put forward a solid rushing game. Either way, if you are trying to form a lineup this week, you should hope that your worst choice possible will be Willie Parker.

Starting with James and Hightower, expectations are pretty low for the remainder of the running backs.

Point Projection: Six points

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5. Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Philadelphia

See Edgerrin James.

Point Projection: Six points

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6. Correll Buckhalter (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Arizona

When it comes to backup running backs, Buckhalter is one of the better ones in the business. The problem that he will have this week is that the Eagles will undoubtedly rely on Westbrook to lead this team against the high-scoring Cardinals offense.

He should be able to pick up a solid amount of yards here and there, but don't expect anything more than a small handful of points.

Point Projection: Four points

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7. Willis McGahee (Baltimore Ravens) @ Pittsburgh

McGahee's value is dependant on McClain's playing time, but either way, if the Ravens lose this most likely will be McGahee's last game for the Ravens. Late in the season he has hit the wall and it showed as he barely passed 30 rushing yards when the Ravens were depending on him last week against the Titans.

Don't expect a much better game either way against the big-time Steelers rush defense.

Point Projection: Three points

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8. Mewelde Moore (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Baltimore

The Ravens have a top-notch rush defense which will keep Moore from doing much more than 30 total yards this week. His TD production has fallen off and even if the Ravens were to give up a rushing TD this week, it won't be from Moore. There is no reason to have Moore plugged into your lineup.

Point Projection: Three points

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9. J.J. Arrington (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Philadelphia

The Eagles' defense is very solid and Arrington is nothing more than a scrap yardage back. He is the third rated Cardinals RB this week but don't expect much more than 20 combined yards and 0 TD's.

Point Projection: Two points

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10. Gary Russell (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Baltimore

There is not much to say other than Russell becomes Mr. Insignificant for the week. Rounding out our top-10 is Russell who we project to do absolutely squat against the great Ravens defense. If you have Russell in your lineup it is pretty safe to say that you don't care about doing well this week.

Point Projection: Zero points

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