Fantasy Football Week 4 Running Back Rankings

Week 4, a quarter of the way through the fantasy football season is where we are sitting. Some are riding high, others not so much. That was the story pretty much in Week 3 for the NFL running backs! Willie Parker and Brian Westbrook both suffered injuries, with Parker already being noted as a no-go this Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. On the other hand you had LaDanian Tomlinson going for a pair of TD’s, Frank Gore continuing on his hot streak and Larry Johnson finally putting a solid game together. We do have some bye-weeks this week with Kevin Smith/Rudi Johnson, Joseph Addai, Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, The New England Patriots crew, Brandon Jacobs and Julius Jones all having the week off. That takes away some pretty good players from the talent pool! With that being said let’s hope for a remarkable Week 4 for yourself, as well as Bruno Boys Nation. To make that happen, read through the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 4 Rankings.

Key Abbreviations: YPC (Yards Per Carry), YPG (Yards Per Game)

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1. LaDanian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) @ Oakland 

Still showing some signs of an ailing toe, LaDanian Tomlinson did rush 26 times for 67 yards and 2 TD’s while adding another 20 yards receiving in week 3. This week he takes on a Oakland Raiders rush defense that has allowed 104 YPG but even more alarming has given up 5 rushing TD’s already this season. Everything is aligned  for at least similar production to Monday Night's effort.
Point Projection: 24 points
 
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2. Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills) @ St. Louis 

In Week 3 Marshawn Lynch went for 114 combined yards and 2 TD’s against the Oakland Raiders. This week things actually get easier for him as he faces the St. Louis Rams who have coughed up a 5.1 YPC average and 6 rushing TD’s on the season. Expect Lynch to once again make many owners proud!
Point Projection: 23 points

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3. Reggie Bush (New Orleans) vs. San Francisco

In Week 3 against a Denver Broncos defense, Reggie Bush was able to put up 73 rushing yards, 75 receiving yards and 2 TD’s. This week he takes on a weak San Francisco rush defense that has allowed 4.2 YPC and 3 rushing TD’s on the year. Expect another big week from Bush as his QB Drew Brees just lost another passing target in Jeremy Shockey for the next handful of weeks due to a sports hernia.
Point Projection: 23 points

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4. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) @ New Orleans

Frank Gore has a rushing TD in each of his first three weeks and has already surpassed the 400 combined yards plateau for 2008. His week 4 opponent, the New Orleans Saints have given up an average of 5.3 YPC, 133.3 YPG and 3 TD’s to rushers. This spells for another excellent week and one that should keep propelling Gore up the RB charts!
Point Projection: 22 points

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5. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ Tennessee

It is no secret that as Adrian Peterson goes, so do the Minnesota Vikings. This week is no different as they face a formidable Tennessee Titans defense that has allowed rushers only 3.7 YPC as well as 2 TD’s on the season. Peterson is still feeling pain from his hammy injury, but if he's able to touch the ball 20+ times he should be able to do something special to make him a viable RB1 option in Week 4!
Point Projection: 20 points

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6. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Houston 

Maurice Jones-Drew has had a rough start to the year as his offensive line is in disarray. There are a few things going for him though. The first is that he has had a TD in each of the last two weeks. Secondly, he had a total of 166 combined yards against the Indianapolis Colts. Thirdly, he takes on the weaker Houston Texans rush defense that has allowed 4.5 YPC and despite already having a bye-week has allowed 5 rushing TD’s. Jones-Drew should excel in Week 4.
Point Projection: 20 points

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7. Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Washington

Marion Barber is a TD machine, and this year he has been no different, reaching pay dirt four times already in three games. Things should be a little bit more difficult to come by in Week 4 as he faces a Washington Redskins rush defense that has allowed only 2 rushing TD’s this year. Even with a tougher matchup this week, I wouldn’t want to be the man betting against Barber!
Point Projection: 18 points

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8. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) @ Carolina

What can you say about LT2’s former backup? He has had 2 very excellent weeks and one very forgettable week in 2008. Needless to say, his two excellent weeks came against both, the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, the worst rush defenses in the league! Don’t come to expect a few more TD’s this week as the Carolina Panthers have given up only 1 his season, but I still like Turner’s chances as the Carolina Panthers have given up 113 rushing YPG this year.
Point Projection: 16 points

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9. Chris Perry (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Cleveland

No, we are not smoking some dope! Let us throw this out at ya! Chris Perry hasn’t been the greatest this year, but he has had a TD in each of the last two weeks, has rushed the ball over 20 times the past two weeks and is facing a Cleveland Browns rush defense that has allowed 145 YPG as well as 6 TD’s on the season. Week 4 sleeper pick if you ask me!
Point Projection: 16 points

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10. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Chicago

Brian Westbrook was enjoying a fine 2008 season until he had to leave last weeks game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an ankle injury. He is listed as day-to-day which is nothing surprising nor new to former Westbrook owners. He is usually on the injury list yet finds ways to show up and play every week. Week 4 is no different as he should be donning the pads on Sunday at the Chicago Bears. He does have his hands full though as Chicago has been pretty stingy, giving up an excellent 3.4 YPC as well as surrendering just 2 rushing TD’s. Something tells me though that he will see some play through the air!
Point Projection: 16 points

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Week 4 Rankings - Running Backs!