Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Ranking the Top 5 Running Back Plays

As you prepare to set your fantasy football lineups for Week 3 of the NFL season, consider these players solid starts at the running back position:

5. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers

A nice rule of thumb this season might be to start any and all running backs who play the Indianapolis Colts on a given week. Despite giving up just 3.6 yards per carry, the Colts have surrendered the fourth most yards in the NFL (273).

Mendenhall with be handed the rock plenty on Sunday, and there will likely be plenty of touchdown opportunities. The Colts have given up the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL.   

4. Chris Johnson, Titans

Johnson has been slow out of the gates, as he's rushed for just 77 yards in two games. His breakout might come Sunday in Denver, as the Broncos rank 28th against the run.

There shouldn't be any more excuses from CJ2K about condition after his holdout either. He'll finally reward owners this week for taking him in the first round amidst those worries.  

3. Adrian Peterson, Vikings

There's not much you need to say about Peterson. He's the best pure runner in football and will produce against nearly any defense if provided the opportunity. The Lions front will be a test, but it's nothing AP can't handle.

He was on pace for a huge game last week before offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave abandoned the run. He won't make the same mistake twice.

2. Matt Forte, Bears

Forte has accounted for over 50 percent of the Bears total offense in 2011, and he'll be facing a Packers' defense that has struggled to contain running backs in the passing game. They gave up 75 yards to Darren Sproles in Week 1 and 100 to Jonathan Stewart last week.

He might not have a huge game running the football, but Forte will make up for that be getting yards and possibly a score through the air. He's a dynamic weapon for Mike Martz and the Bears. 

1. Ray Rice, Ravens

Here's the scenario: We have one of the top fantasy running backs (Rice), going up against the worst run defense yards-wise in the NFL (Rams). It's a no-brainer who the top back should be heading into Week 3.

St. Louis is averaging 177.5 yards on the ground defensively in 2011, and Rice has well over 200 yards of total offense to start the season. Unless the Rams suddenly figure out how to stop the run, Rice could be in for a huge day.