2012 Fantasy Football Week 13: Running Backs (RB) Rankings/Projections

One of the top prospects in the nation coming out of high school, it looked like Bryce Brown was headed towards a promising college career, but it didn’t work out that way. If things would’ve gone according to plan we could’ve seen Brown as a first-round pick last spring; instead he was a seventh-round pick that the Eagles took a chance on.

For all the problems Andy Reid’s team has had this year, one move that clearly paid off was bringing Brown to Philadelphia. Brown outplayed Dion Lewis and Chris Polk to run away with the backup role to LeSean McCoy and had earned more time on the field before McCoy’s concussion a few weeks ago.

Anyone who actually watched Brown play on Monday night was rewarded by watching a rookie blow up in his first start as a pro. Brown was physical, quick to hit the hole and displayed terrific change of direction skills and vision.

In all, Brown lit up the Panthers defense for 178 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. He did fumble twice and while he needs to do a better job holding onto the football, don’t expect him to be disciplined. Brown clearly gives this team their best chance to win while McCoy is out.

Look to Brown as a low-end RB1 and a solid RB2 against the Cowboys this week as Dallas suffered some major injuries on Thanksgiving. As long as McCoy is out, Brown is a must start in fantasy leagues.

What Did We Learn From Week 12?

Ahmad Bradshaw got things started off with a bang going for 59-yards on a pass from Eli Manning to open the game. While Bradshaw continued to work in a committee, he still posted over 100 total yards in the game and a touchdown run.

The interesting twist going forward is his backup, Andre Brown, has been placed on IR with a broken leg. Brown was serving as the goal line back and one would assume that role will now go to Bradshaw. Rookie David Wilson figures to work with Bradshaw, but expect the veteran to possibly touch the football over 20 times this week.

The surprise of the day had to be in the Broncos' backfield as we learned before game time that Knowshon Moreno, not Ronnie Hillman, would be the starter. Moreno went on to be essentially the feature back, working on all three downs and touching the football 24 times for 111 total yards.

As long as Moreno continues to play well, he will be the main option in the Broncos' running game. This is unfortunate as I thought Hillman was ready for a bigger role, but fantasy owners need to target Moreno off the waiver wire.

Sean’s Week 13 Watch List

The Chiefs will continue to commit to running the offense through Jamaal Charles. Playing against a Panthers defense that Eagles rookie Bryce Brown blew through on Monday night, we should expect big things from Charles this week.

Beanie Wells lost out to William Powell on passing duties last week,  but he was the main option in the running game and picked up two touchdowns against the Rams. We should expect this role to remain the same for Wells going forward as Powell is considered a better pass protector and receiver.

Wells should hover around 50 yards rushing most weeks and will remain as the goal line back. This week he should have a good game against a Jets defense that has struggled at times against the run.

While the Bears have remained hush, hush about the severity of Matt Forte’s ankle injury, we should anticipate Michael Bush starting this week. If Forte is out, Bush should touch the football over 20 times against a Seahawks defense that has struggled in recent weeks against the run. Consider him a worth flex-play addition.

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

Week 13 Standard Rankings – QB | WR | TE | K | D |