Fantasy Football Week 6 Rankings: Running Backs

Five weeks of the 2010 NFL season are now in the books, and things are starting to make just a little more sense now…kind of. The running backs that were supposed to do well this year are finally starting to produce more consistently, and we’re starting to get a better idea of who is emerging as the back to own in committees and timeshares. There are some new situations to monitor, such as the impact of Marshawn Lynch going to the Seattle Seahawks, but for the most part we’re getting a better idea of how things should play out week by week.

Our Fantasy Football Week 6 Running Back Rankings will show that there are a lot of running backs with good matchups this week, so your stud RB1 could be ready to carry your team to victory this week.

1. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) @ Jacksonville

Johnson looked like his old self in Week 5, going off for 131 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Now, this isn’t the first week CJ has gone off, as it was his third game with over 100 yards and two touchdowns this season. The problem with him this year has been his inconsistency since he had less than 60 yards rushing and no touchdowns his other two weeks.

It’ll be interesting to see if Johnson can finally string together two great games in a row, and in Week 6 he has a great opportunity to do so against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are giving up 102.8 rushing yards per game and have allowed six rushing touchdowns this season, second worst in the league. The odds are on Johnson’s side and he should be able to put up another big game in Week 6.
Point Projection: 24 points

2. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Dallas

While AD was held in check by the New York Jet defense for the most part, his stat line at the end of the game still looked decent, which is all that matters for fantasy football owners. Peterson had 88 rushing yards on 18 carries with a 20-yard reception. 30 of his rushing yards came on one run and he was held out of the end zone, so it wasn’t a typical big day by Peterson but that should have been expected going up against the Jets.

Peterson should be ready to run wild again in Week 6 against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has a 4.5 YPC average against them this season. Peterson has had at least 100 total yards in all four of his games this season and is right there with Chris Johnson at the top of the heap.
Point Projection:22 points

3. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Oakland

Gore again struggled to move the ball on the ground, rushing for just 52 yards and losing two crucial fumbles in Week 5. Yet once again, fortunately for Gore owners, he managed to make an impact through the air with 21 yards receiving and a touchdown. Gore has only eclipsed 80 yards on the ground once this season and it is starting to be a cause for concern. Still, Gore manages to make a big impact as a receiver each week and always has the potential to break out a big run.

Gore should be able to have his way against the Oakland Raiders this week, the second worst rushing defense in the league allowing an average of 147.8 yards per game this season. Gore is another must start for Week 6.
Point Projection: 20 points

4. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) @ Philadelphia

Turner had his biggest game yardage-wise Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, running for 140 yards on 19 carries—good for a 7.4 YPC average. Turner didn’t find the end zone and has only scored once in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. Turner and Jones-Drew have been very similar this season in that they have been putting up yardage but are struggling to find the end zone, yet they are still must starts week in and week out.

Turner gets the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6, a team that held Frank Gore to just 56 yards rushing yet is allowing an average of 125.8 yards per game on the ground. As mentioned before, Turner is a must start, and that goes double this week against a suspect Eagles defense. Expect big things from Turner in Week 6.
Point Projection: 19 points

Continue reading on to see where your running back ranks...Week 6 RB Rankings