Fantasy Football Week 13 Running Backs: Who to Pick Up, Drop and Ignore

Fantasy playoff time is upon us. 

Most fantasy leagues are only a week or two away from that time of year you've all been waiting for. With the unpredictable 2010 NFL season, Week 13 may very well determine if you make the cut or just fall short.

One league I'm in, for example, has only seen two teams clinch, with seven teams vying for the remaining four playoff slots. Week 13 will decide things for all of them.

Here are the running backs that might be on your radar as we head into this important fantasy football week.

Pickups

Brian Westbrook, San Francisco 49ers

Frank Gore has fractured his hip and may be done for the season. In his place, Westbrook looked like the same fantasy stud he was for several years, racking up 136 yards and a touchdown.

Westbrook saw the majority of the snaps following Gore's injury, with Anthony Dixon getting far less time. The 49ers love to run the ball, and Westbrook looked great.

He is an immediate must-add and is available in 79 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings

Another injury fill-in, Gerhart ran well in relief of the injured Adrian Peterson on Sunday.

You should note that he suffered a shoulder injury in the game as well, but at the moment it doesn't appear serious. Gerhart was already seeing some playing time before Peterson got hurt, and if AP's injury takes him out for a while, Toby might see a start against Buffalo.

Eighty-four percent of Yahoo! leagues still have Gerhart available.

Anthony Dixon, San Francisco 49ers

Another back worth a grab with the news of Gore's hip injury. Dixon was the top NFL running back in the preseason and saw some time on Monday night, getting a touchdown of his own.

It should be noted that Dixon saw far less time than Westbrook did, and late in the game, when he looked to be spelling Westbrook, Dixon almost lost a fumble. He was replaced by Westbrook for the next play.

As a rookie, Dixon has upside with fresh legs and ability, but also has a lack of experience with a healthy veteran like Westbrook ahead of him on the depth chart. He won't see a ton of time but will see enough for a pickup in deep leagues.

Dixon is currently available in 98 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Bernard Scott, Cincinnati Bengals

Scott can play. 

With the season now lost for the Bengals and Cedric Benson likely not to be re-signed, expect Bernard Scott to get some more playing time.

He's out there in 96 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Ignore

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

Don't move on Gore unless he goes on IR. The 49ers have shown him too much love.

Grab Westbrook and/or Dixon if you have Gore, and hold on to Gore if at all possible if he stays off injured reserve.

Keiland Williams, Washington Redskins

Williams didn't do much Sunday, but with Ryan Torain still injured and Clinton Portis on IR, Williams is the man on the ground in Washington until further notice.

Keep him around.

Drop/Trade Bait

Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys

Barber is expected to miss two weeks with a calf injury and had already lost his role as the Cowboys' featured back.

Time for a Barber cut.

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

The better Mike Tolbert continues to play, the less likely playing time for the injury-prone Mathews looks, especially with the Chargers now making a serious run for a postseason.

Only a keeper-league guy right now. Any other format should see him go.