NFL Fantasy Football: Running Back Rankings for Week 3

Yesterday, we updated our fantasy football rankings for Week 3. Here are some notes regarding running backs and run defenses heading into this week:

- Lions rookie running back Jahvid Best has scored the most fantasy points of any player in fantasy football (standard scoring) through two weeks. Despite rushing for only 98 total yards, he has scored five touchdowns and has 170 receiving yards. Best faces two tough defenses in Weeks 3 and 4: Minnesota and Green Bay.

- The good news for fantasy owners of Bucs running back Cadillac Williams? He ranks second in the NFL in rushing attempts through two weeks. The bad news? This week's opponent, Pittsburgh, has held Atlanta's Michael Turner and Tennessee's Chris Johnson to under 100 yards. Combined. The two stud backs finished with a total of 35 carries for 76 yards.

- Two rush defenses have yet to allow a rush of eight yards or more: New York Jets and Chicago Bears. It may be a long day for Miami backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams (against the Jets) and Green Bay running back Brandon Jackson (against the Bears) on Monday Night (our fantasy football contest is based on Monday Night Football matchups).

- Bears running back Matt Forte has only 79 rushing yards—39.5 per game and 2.9 yards per carry. However, he ranks fifth among running backs in yards from scrimmage (267). Forte's opponent on Monday Night, Green Bay, led the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed in 2009.

- Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno is out (vs Colts), Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is doubtful (at Seahawks) and Cardinals running back Beanie Wells should make his season debut against the Raiders.

- Raiders running back Darren McFadden has made the most of his opportunity with Michael Bush, who is expected to return this week, out of the lineup. Through two games, he ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards (240) and has 303 yards from scrimmage. This week the Raiders face the Cardinals, who allowed Atlanta to rush for 221 yards last week.

- The Texans have allowed only 31 rushing yards per game. That's the good news. Part of the success (against the run), however, is due to their lack of it stopping the pass (411 yards per game).

- If the Cowboys are going to get their season on track, they will likely need to run the ball somewhat successfully against the Texans. Only three teams—Detroit, New Orleans and Washington—have fewer rushing yards. If I had to start either Marion Barber or Felix Jones, I would expect Barber to have more success.

Here are my top 10 running backs for Week 3:

1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (vs Detroit)
2. Ray Rice, Ravens (vs Cleveland)
3. Chris Johnson, Titans (at NY Giants)
4. Frank Gore, 49ers (at Kansas City)
5. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers (at Tampa Bay)
6. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (vs Philadelphia)
7. Michael Turner, Falcons (at New Orleans)
8. Darren McFadden, Raiders (at Arizona)
9. Cedric Benson, Bengals (at Carolina)
10. Steven Jackson, Rams (vs Washington)

See our full top 40 running back rankings for Week 3.

More rankings for Week 3: Top 25 QBs | Top 50 WRs | Top 20 TEs

Feel free to send start/sit questions to me via Twitter @EDSFootball or post your questions in our free Fantasy Football forum.

Good luck in your Week 3 matchups.