2012 Fantasy Football Week 12: Running Backs (RB) Rankings / Projections

Even before the 49ers ran all over the Bears on Monday night, Adrian Peterson was on top of my list for running backs this week. Peterson has posted some monster games in recent weeks, including against two of the better run defenses in the league this year in the Buccaneers and Seahawks.

I'm not sure if Peterson is all the way back from his knee injury, but his fantasy production suggests that is the case, and with two weeks to rest up for Chicago, we should see another big performance.

What Did We Learn From Week 11?

- Like Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville or Matt Forte in Chicago before this season, Trent Richardson is a big part of what the Browns do on offense. Last week, Richardson rushed for just under 100 yards and picked up 49 more yards in the passing game.

Both Richardson and Doug Martin (not to mention Alfred Morris) are proving to be accountable weekly options and even RB1 options in their first year. It just goes to show that it’s more about opportunity than skill at the running back position for rookies to make a big impact in fantasy leagues.

- Don’t feel too bad about Stevan Ridley's light workload last week, as it's probable that the Patriots were holding his workload back because they play on Thanksgiving against the Jets. At least Ridley added a fourth-quarter score to help his day not look as bad. Expect over 20 carries against the Jets.

- BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a 100-yard performance against the Chiefs, and we should expect more of the same against the Raiders on Sunday. No defense is playing worse than Oakland's over the past three weeks, so make sure that Green-Ellis is in your lineup as a solid RB2 this week.

Sean’s Week 12 Watch List

- Jalen Parmele will continue to start for the Jaguars until Maurice Jones-Drew returns. Rashad Jennings has been a big disappointment, which is the reason for his demotion last week, as Parmele carried the football 24 times against the Texans. Expect Parmele to exceed his 80-yard total from last week, as he has a much easier matchup against the Titans.

- If LeSean McCoy is out on Monday night because of his concussion, expect rookie Bryce Brown to start. This makes Brown a respectable, low-end RB2 to flex-play start. It remains to be seen whether Andy Reid will allow Brown to carry a full load, but he will be a valuable pickup off of the waiver wire.

- Beanie Wells is expected back this week, which is bad news for LaRod Stephens-Howling owners. Look to Wells as a decent flex-play option if he is a go, as the Cardinals would be wise to lean on the running game if Ryan Lindley is starting at quarterback.

1	Adrian Peterson	@ Bears
2	Doug Martin	Falcons
3	Chris Johnson	@ Jaguars
4	Arian Foster	@ Lions
5	Frank Gore	@ Saints
6	Marshawn Lynch	@ Dolphins
7	C.J. Spiller	@ Colts
8	Matt Forte	Vikings
9	Ray Rice	@ Chargers
10	Trent Richardson	Steelers
11	Jamaal Charles	Broncos
12	Alfred Morris	@ Cowboys
13	Stevan Ridley	@ Jets
14	Steven Jackson	@ Cardinals
15	Ronnie Hillman	@ Chiefs
16	Mikel Leshoure	Texans
17	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Raiders
18	Marcel Reece	@ Bengals
19	Ryan Mathews	Ravens
20	Michael Turner	@ Buccaneers
21	Bryce Brown	Panthers
22	Jalen Parmele	Titans
23	Darren Sproles (I)	49ers
24	Beanie Wells (I)	Rams
25	Jonathan Dwyer	@ Browns
26	Reggie Bush	Seahawks
27	Vick Ballard	Bills
28	Felix Jones	Redskins
29	Mark Ingram	49ers
30	Ahmad Bradshaw (I)	Packers
31	Jonathan Stewart	@ Eagles
32	James Starks	@ Giants
33	Kendall Hunter	@ Saints
34	Rashard Mendenhall	@ Browns
35	Andre Brown	Packers
36	Shonn Greene	Patriots
37	Lance Ball	@ Chiefs
38	Larod Stephens-Howling	Rams

Week 12 Standard Rankings – QB | WR | TE | K | D |