NFL Power Rankings Week 11: The Top 32 Running Backs
This week wasn't nearly as interesting as last week.
It's almost like all of the defensive coordinators got together and decided to stop the run game collectively.
Okay, so I'm being facetious, but still, not a lot of great performances this past week.
And to boot, there's a new No. 1.
32. Danny Woodhead, NE
1 of 32
Not the greatest performance by Woodhead against Pittsburgh, but it was the Steelers.
He's meant a lot to the Patriots great start to their season, so he stays here.
For now.
31. Justin Forsett, SEA
2 of 32
Despite backing up Marshawn Lynch now in Seattle, Forsett has played well when given the opportunity.
On Sunday against the Cardinals, he got that chance, and got 64 yards and a touchdown.
30. Ryan Matthews, SD
3 of 32
Bye Week for Matthews, but his play could help determine San Diego winning the West or not.
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29. Ricky Williams, MIA
4 of 32
Williams comes back into the fold with a solid game against the Titans.
He severely outrushed his backfield mate, Ronnie Brown, getting 64 yards to Brown's 11.
28. Jahvid Best, DET
5 of 32
Poor performance from Best, who should've done much better against Buffalo.
Some have said it seems like Best has lost a step, and we could see Kevin Smith soon.
I'm not sure if Best has lost a step or not, but his injury issues may be slowing him down.
Still...c'mon Best. It's Buffalo.
27. Keiland Williams, WAS
6 of 32
About the only good thing that came out of the Redskins thrashing at the hands of the Eagles was put Williams on display.
That leaves the 'Skins backfield rather crowded though.
So this is probably temporary for Williams.
26. Shonn Greene, NYJ
7 of 32
Greene actually outrushed LT this past week.
Could we see change coming?
Tell me what you think Jets fans.
25. Donald Brown, IND
8 of 32
Brown ran well for Indy in Sunday's win.
And yet, he still can't get a touchdown.
Dang it Willis...I mean Javarris James.
24. Cedric Benson, CIN
9 of 32
Bernard Scott may be on this list next week, and Benson might not be.
As bad as Best's performance was, Benson's was worse.
24 yards? Against Indy? Really Benson?
What's worse is he was outrushed by Brian Leonard. One one carry.
23. Ronnie Brown, MIA
10 of 32
Brown certainly didn't have his best game on Sunday.
There's still time to bounce back.
As well, he should be the focal point on the offense with all the injuries at the QB position.
22. Felix Jones, DAL
11 of 32
Much better week for Jones, and it came against a solid defense as well.
We'll see if he meshes well with the new coach's system.
21. Thomas Jones, KC
12 of 32
Esh. Four carries. Three yards.
The Denver D did a number on Jones for sure.
20. Brandon Jackson, GB
13 of 32
Jackson has to step up big for the Packers in the late season stretch.
That means more than just getting 50 yards every game.
19. Fred Jackson, BUF
14 of 32
Great game from Jackson against Detroit Sunday-- 133 yards on 25 carries.
He scored both touchdowns in the first win of the season for the Bills.
Hopefully for Buffalo, he can keep this pace up.
18. Knowshon Moreno, DEN
15 of 32
There's the Knowshon we know!
And what makes his game more impressive in my mind than, say, Fred Jackson's was he did against what has been a solid defense to date: the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kyle Orton likes it, Knowshon. Keep it up.
17. Matt Forte, CHI
16 of 32
Solid performance from Forte against a stout run defense in Minnesota.
Much like Jackson, the Bears will need Forte to step up to make a late season push.
16. LeGarrette Blount, TB
17 of 32
Another solid performance for Blount on Sunday.
And although he can't help it, it was against the Panthers.
Still, how many teams are regretting passing on Blount in the draft right now?
15. LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ
18 of 32
LT was outrushed Sunday by Greene, as previously mentioned, and not that LT looked bad, but I'm thinking maybe his magical run is slowing down.
14. Peyton Hillis, CLE
19 of 32
It's really difficult to put him higher than this, but his stock is rising after another solid performance, this time against a legitimate defense in the Jets.
13. Jamaal Charles, KC
20 of 32
Charles keeps his spot, despite not very good numbers on the ground.
But his abilities in the passing game really helped Kansas City later in the game.
12. Ray Rice, BAL
21 of 32
Not a great week from Rice, but it was a tough opponent in a tough place to play.
Rice will be instrumental, though, should Baltimore steal the AFC North from Pittsburgh.
11. LeSean McCoy, PHI
22 of 32
McCoy can't really help that he got outplayed by Jerome Harrison.
After all, you probably shouldn't play much if you're the starting running back and your team is up 35-0 at one point.
10. Steven Jackson, St.L
23 of 32
It's nice to see Jackson getting touchdowns after struggling to get them last season.
It's amazing that, as well, Jackson was almost the leading receiver for the Rams on Sunday.
9. Rashard Mendenhall, PIT
24 of 32
Not a great effort on Sunday by Mendenhall, especially considering what Peyton Hillis did against the Pats the previous week.
It's not all Mendenhall's fault though--he only got 11 carries.
8. Darren McFadden, OAK
25 of 32
Product of the bye week, I'm afraid.
He has an intriguing matchup against the Steelers this week, though. I'm interested to see how well he does.
7. Arian Foster, HOU
26 of 32
I'm going to get some flak for this, but Foster's performance against a so-so defense Sunday wasn't encouraging.
Still, he did what he could, and scored a touchdown.
6. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG
27 of 32
I think everyone was a bit shocked by how well Dallas played against the Giants Sunday.
It affected Bradshaw's performance for sure, as New York was in a hole early in the game.
5. Frank Gore, SF
28 of 32
Gore had his usual output on Sunday it seems like.
I made a mistake by calling Michael Turner the most consistent running back in the league last week.
Perhaps Gore is?
No...take that back. This year, no one is.
4. Michael Turner, ATL
29 of 32
So-so performance by Turner on Thursday night, but it was against the Ravens.
So he gets a pass this time.
3. Adrian Peterson, MIN
30 of 32
Peterson had 17 carries for 51 yards Sunday.
You take away his 20 yard run, and that's 16 carries for 31 yards.
Gross.
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC
31 of 32
Gotta like that Jacksonville's feeding MJD the rock more frequently.
Of course it helps that David Garrard is on fire, so teams have to respect the pass, leaving MJD more room to work.
1. Chris Johnson, TEN
32 of 32
Despite the loss on Sunday, Johnson regains his number one spot with a solid performance against Miami.
And Randy Moss actually didn't make a huge impact either.
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