Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings: 5 RBs Ready to Lead You to Victory

Week 1 was a good week for those that drafted running backs in the first round. Most, with few exceptions, came through with production right in line with what you would expect.

Week 2 promises more of the same.

Fantasy owners win and lose largely on the strength of the performance of their top running back, and right now, fantasy owners are winning because of them.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

In Week 1, Peterson put up 98 yards on the ground. He didn't find the end zone, but he will. The yardage is particularly impressive when you consider how little the Vikings got from Donovan McNabb and the passing game.

In Week 2, expect more success for Peterson against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs gave up 27 points to the Lions in Week 1.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Rice gashed the Steelers in Week 1. Historically, the Steelers had done a great job of bottling up Rice, but he ran wild this time around. Rice was a huge part of the running game and the passing game.

In Week 2, his team faces the Tennessee Titans, who allowed Maurice Jones-Drew to have a big day against them. 

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

McCoy had a field day in the Eagles opener against the Rams. McCoy rushed for 122 yards on 15 carries. He had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

In Week 2, his Eagles will take on the Atlanta Falcons, a team that gave up 30 points to a Chicago Bears offense many had questions about in Week 1.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Johnson is one of the exceptions to all the success running backs had in the first week of the season. Johnson was a non-factor in the running game and the passing game.

Some might view his Week 1 performance as a disturbing possible trend, but I see it as all the more reason to ride him to victory in Week 2.

There's no way he will play this poorly in back-to-back weeks.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

I will admit that I was wrong on Matt Forte. I had him pegged as a running back that would give you empty yardage, but nothing more. He has turned into exactly what I figured he wouldn't be.

In Week 1, Forte had 158 total yards. There's no reason to expect that production to dip in the second week of the season.

Joseph Healy's Fantasy Running Back Rankings for Week 2

1. Adrian Peterson

2. Ray Rice

3. LeSean McCoy

4. Chris Johnson

5. Matt Forte

6. Maurice Jones-Drew

7. Jamaal Charles

8. Rashard Mendenhall

9. Michael Turner

10. Darren McFadden

11. Frank Gore

12. Peyton Hillis

13. DeAngelo Williams

14. Jahvid Best

15. Knowshon Moreno