Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings: Running Backs

Week 7 was one of the first weeks that went by where a running back didn’t go down with a somewhat serious injury, and fantasy football owners will hope that Week 8 continues that trend.

The main thing to point out this week is that there are around 10 noteworthy running backs on byes, so you may have to dig deep to find a replacement.

The big trend in the our fantasy football Week 8 running back rankings is that there are few sure things this week. A lot of backs are struggling while others are more boom or bust type players.

That said, performances could be all over the place this week and use these rankings as a guide to help you make the right decisions.

1. Arian Foster (Houston Texans) @ Indianapolis

Take a trip down memory lane for a second and think all the way back to Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season. The Texans were up against the defending AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts and second-year running back Arian Foster got the start after just beating out Steve Slaton midway through preseason.

Foster had shown glimpses of talent in his rookie season but was plagued with fumbling issues as well as maturity issues. Still, some fantasy owners took a chance on Foster late in their drafts and he wasted no time rewarding them as he exploded on the Colts for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. Some said it was a flue, but here we are in Week 8 and he has 635 yards and six touchdowns on 115 carries along with 180 yards and a touchdown on19 catches.

Foster returns from a bye week and will look to wreak havoc once again on a Colts defense that is allowing opposing backs to average 20.7 fantasy points against them this season. He should have no problem continuing his success in Week 8.

Point Projection: 21 points

2. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ New England

As expected, Peterson was able to dominate a depleted Green Bay Packer defense in Week 7, running for 131 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries while also adding two catches for 41 yards.

This was Peterson’s third game in which he scored over 20 fantasy points and he has not scored lower than 10 in any game. Obviously we’d like to see more of the over-20 point games from AD, but he has easily been the top-five fantasy running back we expected.

The Patriots have been pretty solid against the run and have only allowed two rushing touchdowns, but Peterson should still have no trouble breaking through for another big week.   

Point Projection: 21 points

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

Gore didn’t find the end zone for the second straight week, yet he now has consecutive 100-yard rushing games and remains a valuable threat as a receiver. He’s had at least 149 total yards the past two games and remains one of the most consistent options at RB1 in 2010.

You could worry a bit that he hasn’t scored the last two weeks, but if he continues to produce like he has, the touchdowns will come.

Gore faces the Denver Broncos in Week 8, a team that has struggled mightily against the run, allowing 12 rushing touchdowns to go along with 156.3 YPG on the ground.

Gore’s a top option this week and will continue to be for the rest of the season. 

Point Projection: 20 points

To see where your running backs rank this week go here... Week 8 RB Ranks