Fantasy Football Week 3 Projections: Which RBs Are Due for Dreadful Performances

Running backs are typically the backbone of any fantasy football team.

They get touches in the red zone, catch passes out of the backfield and can really rack up some serious points each week. 

Having said that, running backs can also doom your squad if they face a stout defensive front or don't have the lion's share of their teams carries. 

This week, these select tailbacks, who are usually fantasy studs, are in for some dreadful performances.

Cedric Benson

Benson was great in Week 1 against the Browns, rushing for 121 yards on 25 carries, but wasn't as productive against the Broncos in Week 2, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry on the ground. 

The 49ers are surrendering 54 yards on the ground thus far, and they'll load the box to force the Bengals' rookie signal caller Andy Dalton to throw the ball. 

He was much better in Denver last week, but again the pressure will be on him to win the game for Cincinnati. 

Benson won't get as many carries as he did in the first week and he'll have a hard time finding running lanes.

Joseph Addai

 The Colts' offense has sputtered without Peyton Manning and they won't be able to rely on Joseph Addai against the Steelers on Sunday night.

Pittsburgh's defense has rebounded from the beating they took at the hands of the Ravens in Week 1 and look to be back to their usual ways.

He has been sharing touches with rookie Delone Carter and isn't the goal-line back anymore.

You can't start him this week against the Steelers.

Daniel Thomas

I know he was impressive in his pro debut, running for 107 yards, but the Browns defensive front is more stout than you'd expect. 

The Browns will clog the box with eight or nine guys to make Chad Henne beat them through the air. 

Sure, Henne can throw for a lot of yards, it's his crucial mistakes that ultimately lead to the Dolphins' losses.