Fantasy Football Week 2: 5 Running Backs Who Will Disappoint

In fantasy football, there's nothing better than a big day from one of your running backs. Shoot, there are few things better in life in general than a big day from one of your running backs.

The only downside is that these big days don't necessarily come every weekend. Running backs that were great one week could be useless the next. 'Tis the nature of the beast.

So for those who had running backs go off in Week 1, be warned. Some of them are not going to go off again in Week 2.

Specifically, these five running backs won't.

5. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

His efforts against the Kansas City Chiefs were overshadowed thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick's brilliant performance, but Fred Jackson carried the ball 20 times for 112 yards in Week 1. Not a bad day at the office.

Against the Oakland Raiders, though, Jackson is going to have a much harder time racking up fantasy points. Albeit against lesser running backs, Oakland's defense allowed just 38 yards rushing in their opener against the Denver Broncos. Not quite what we're used to out of the Raiders, and that may be a sign that they're coming around when it comes to defending the run.

Even if it isn't, Jackson is a guy with a finite amount of 100-yard games in him, so don't expect two in a row.

4. Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

If you're in a PPR league, my advice is to start Darren Sproles no matter what. It's only been one game, but it looks like Sean Payton aims to get him involved in the Saints' passing attack, as Sproles had seven catches for 75 yards against the Green Bay Packers.

But if it's touchdowns you're after, look elsewhere. Sproles got his on a punt return, and the odds of that happening with any frequency are slim. He's obviously not going to get goal-line opportunities, so touchdowns for Sproles are going to be few and far between.

3. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

Darren McFadden torched the Broncos for 150 yards rushing, the highest total in the league in Week 1.

And now it's Benson's turn to take a crack at the Broncos. Because he rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, that would seem to bode well.

But tread carefully. Benson had only two games in which he rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown all of last season. My advice is to play the percentages and not expect such an outburst two weeks in a row.

2. Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers

Provided your league scores rushing yards, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, Mike Tolbert was the highest scoring back in fantasy in Week 1. In all, he had 35 yards rushing, nine catches for 58 yards, and a grand total of three touchdowns.

Against the New England Patriots, Tolbert could put up numbers like those again. But let's not kid ourselves. Tolbert is not going to do what he did in Week 1 every week. Adjust your expectations —and your lineup, if necessary—accordingly.

1. Ben Tate, Houston Texans

Fantasy owners who bothered to pick up Ben Tate at the last minute were rewarded in a big way. In place of Arian Foster and Derrick Ward, Tate rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown.

Alas, expect that to be the extent of Tate's greatness. The word from SportingNews.com is that Foster is feeling better and that he expects to start this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.