Fantasy Football Week 13: Matchups Your Running Backs Will Dominate

Week 13 has begun and it is important that fantasy owners pick and choose the right matchups for their running backs.

The playoffs are right around the corner and running backs are the most important position.

We have seen some big time performances from backs all around the NFL and it is because they have taken advantage of weak opposing defenses.

Here are the top matchups for your running backs to exploit in Week 13.

Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Mike Tolbert #35 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after a 29-yard pass against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Matchup: Oakland Raiders

Chargers' running back Mike Tolbert has a nice matchup this Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are giving up the fifth most rushing yards per game.

Tolbert is coming off two straight 100-yard games and he should reach his third in a row when all is set and done in Week 13.

Tolbert makes a great start against the Raiders.

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons waits to enter the field during player introductions before facing the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Michael Turner is 26 yards away from 1,000 yards and he should have no problem reaching that this Sunday.

The Bucs are eighth worse against the run and Turner is one of the best running backs in football.

Turner has scored and ran over 100 yards in his last two games and the Tampa Bay defense is the perfect opportunity to do that again.

Adrian Peterson/Toby Gerhart, Minnesota Vikings

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField November 28, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Matchup: Buffalo Bills

If Peterson can go, than he makes the start of the week because the Bills have the worst rush defense in the NFL.

If he cannot go, than it will be rookie Toby Gerhart carrying the load. If Peterson owners picked up Gerhart, this Sunday his the perfect opportunity for Gerhart to have a big game.

Gerhart carried the ball 22 times for 76 yards and a score in Week 12. If he fills in for Peterson he makes a great start this Sunday.

Brandon Jacobs/Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants talks with Ahmad Bradshaw #44 against the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Matchup: Washington Redskins

This is a tough one because Jacobs and Bradshaw split carries last week after Jacobs was chosen as the starter.

The Redskins are giving up over 130 yards per game so Jacobs and Bradshaw should find plenty of room to run. The only question is which one do you start?

Jacobs gets the ball on the goal line and Bradshaw as the big play ability.

Both backs make good starts in Week 13.

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 14: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 14, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Matchup: Arizona Cardinals

Steven Jackson has not gone over 100 yards since Week 7 and this Sunday is his perfect chance to bounce back.

The Cardinals are giving up more than 145 yards on the ground per game, second worst in the league. They have also given up 14 rushing touchdowns.

Owners of Jackson cannot wait for this as Jackson should have a big day.

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

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DENVER - JANUARY 03: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High on January 3, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Matchup: Denver Broncos

Jamaal Charles is quietly the NFL's second leading rusher and he is having a great season.

The Broncos enter Week 13 having given up 16 rushing touchdowns and over 140 yards per game. Charles and teammate Thomas Jones should find plenty of room to run, but it is clear that Charles is the play maker in Kansas City.

Charles had 173 yards on just 22 carries in Week 12.

No. 25 should have another big day on Sunday.