2012 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: NFL Week 8

With an exciting seventh week under our belts, here are the LestersLegends 2012 Week 8 fantasy football running back rankings. 

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

At the risk of being burned badly, I’m putting CJ1K in the top spot. He’s averaging 124.6 total yards and 0.5 touchdowns over the past four games. His yards per carry during the stretch is a robust 5.9. He’s taking on the Indianapolis Colts, who are giving up 141.7 yards per game.

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

All Day is back. He rumbled for 153 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s averaging 128.3 total yards and 5.4 yards per carry in his past four games.

3. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Lynch is averaging 105 total yards per game. The Detroit Lions will have a hard time containing him.

4. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

Mathews is coming off a bye and has averaged 116 total yards the past two games. The Cleveland Browns are giving up 133.7 yards per game on the ground. 

5. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Carolina is giving up 120.3 yards per game. The dual threat Forte should dominate.

6. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

Gore ran wild on the Seattle Seahawks. Now he faces Arizona, who has been carved up the past two weeks by Buffalo and Minnesota.

7. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a stingy run defense, but Morris has been lights out this year, averaging 99 total yards per game.

8. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

It’s maddening how frequent the Eagles and Baltimore Ravens go away from Rice and McCoy. Hopefully coming out of a bye, the Eagles will get McCoy more involved in an expected shootout with the Atlanta Falcons.

9. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos

Brees and Peyton will be on display, but McGahee should carve up the New Orleans Saints’ 160.3 ypg run defense.

10. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

Charles is coming off a bye and his fresh legs should help. He’s also playing at home, where he has averaged 119.7 total yards. The Oakland Raiders are giving up 102.2 ypg.

11. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Run DMC has been disappointing, but the Chiefs are giving up 125.0 ypg and 4.7 ypc. He could be in line for a big day.

12. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

Bye week came at a good time for Bush to get closer to full strength. He should bounce back against the New York Jets, who are averaging 147.7 ypg allowed on the ground.

13. Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots

Ridley has slowed in recent weeks, but is still averaging 91.4 total yards per game. The St. Louis Rams are giving up 98.9 ypg on the ground. The focus on Brady could open things up for Ridley. 

14. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

The Giants were able to limit his carries to 12 last week. He scored a touchdown and had 65 total yards. He shouldn’t see 25-plus carries any time soon, but he should see more action against the Dallas Cowboys.

15. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Vikings can be tough on the ground, but Martin can do damage in the passing game as well.

16. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys

Jones had a decent showing last week (74 total yards). The Giants are giving up 126.4 ypg. He should have a decent yardage day.

17. Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns

Richardson’s rib injury concerns me. As does the San Diego Chargers' run defense only yielding 71.2 ypg.

18. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons

Turner should turn in about 60 yards with a 50/50 shot at a touchdown.

19. Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts

This will change if Donald Brown returns, but for now, Ballard should be a solid RB2 against the Titans, who are giving up 134.7 ypg.

20. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

Had 59 total yards, but he bailed his owners out with a touchdown. He generally doesn’t get many carries, so unless he scores, his ceiling is low. He does get pretty steady yardage though, so his floor is fairly high. He takes on Denver.

21. Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars

He’ll get the nod with Mojo out, but I don’t love him against Green Bay. He’ll likely do more in the passing game than on the ground.

22. Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers

Rashard Mendenhall’s return would shake things up, but until he proves that he’s healthy, I’ll roll with Dwyer against Washington.

23. Shonn Greene, New York Jets

Greene shockingly caught six passes last week, finishing with 88 total yards and a score. Tough test this week against Miami, who is giving up 78.2 ypg.

24. Alex Green, Green Bay Packers

He hasn’t had more than 73 total yards as Rodgers has been on fire. He could have a solid effort against Jackonville, who is giving up 147.3 ypg.

25. Mikel LeShoure, Detroit Lions

LeShoure has a tough draw against Seattle, but remains a borderline RB2.

26. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

In a full time share with Richardson, he isn’t very active in the passing game and only has one touchdown. Not a great play against the Patriots, who are solid against the run (86.0 ypg allowed).

27.LaRod Stephens-Howling

Stephens-Howling is coming off a great game, but it was William Powell the week before. It's hard to figure out the Cardinals right now. Plus, he is facing a tough San Francisco defense.

28. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Denver is giving up 115.2 ypg. PT23 doesn’t get a ton of carries, but he could have a decent day.

29. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

He was far more productive than DeAngelo Williams, but he's still not a RB2 option. Same thing against Chicago.

30. Danny Woodhead, New England Patriots

Woodhead is averaging 63.0 total yards the past three games, and he faces the Rams.

Also check out:

• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy QB Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy WR Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy TE Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• 2012 Week 8 Fantasy Football Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em