NFL Power Rankings: The Best Running Backs Heading into Week 4

All day. That's as simple as it gets. 

These men have been powering through defenses the first four weeks of the season, and show absolutely no signs of slowing down. By the time the league year comes to a close, I expect we'll see many of these names in the top ten of the rushing category. 

It's a little bit strange to write though. If you had asked me a month ago to tell you the best running backs in the league my top three would without a doubt have contained the names Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and Adrian Peterson, yet two of those names are missing from my list. 

It's no doubt Charles had an unfortunate and freak accident to end his season, but what about Chris Johnson, who seems to be having the same struggles he had last year? Read on to find out. 

Ben Tate

With Arian Foster out with a hamstring injury, Ben Tate has come through for the Texans in a big way. 

Tate has performed admirably without Arian Foster in the lineup. The second round pick, who was forced to sit out his rookie season due to injury, has been able to gain 301 yards on 66 carries so far this season. He is consistent, and shows no hesitation in finding a seam and diving through it. 

Though Arian Foster may have his first start come this next weekend, no one should forget Tate. The kid has talent, and was drafted relatively high. I would expect Foster and Tate to at least have a time share for the rest of the season, as Tate has clearly dictated that he has the ability to carry the teams running game. 

Beanie Wells

Beanie Wells is putting his bust status on hold with a terrific start to the 2011 season. 

Though Wells is still not much help in third down situations, he's been doing a tremendous job on the ground. In only two games so far this year, Wells has produced 183 yards on only 32 carries, as well as a pair of touchdowns. 

Wells has been breaking longer and longer runs in the two games he's played, and appears to be taking the form of the late 2009 Beanie Wells we all saw—the one who flashed the potential to someday join the elite running backs of the leagues. 

It's too early to crown Beanie Wells yet, but, if he keeps this pace up, the Cardinals will continue to win games. 

Matt Forte

If it weren't for Mike Martz style of offense, I'm sure Forte would be placed higher than this. 

In Martz's style of offense, short passes to the running back often replace running the ball altogether, and behind that offensive line what else would you do? Forte has only been able to gain 119 yards on 35 carries behind his porous offensive line, but he has gained 287 yards on 22 receptions in the passing game. 

It's clear, when given space and opportunity, Forte is able to make the most out of it. I wouldn't be surprised if Forte ended up with more receiving yards than rushing yards before the end of the year. God knows the Bears offensive line can't block, so utilizing Forte's talent in the passing game makes a lot of sense. He's the Bears' most valuable offensive weapon. 

Maurice Jones-Drew

Jones-Drew one was one of the most feared fantasy running backs coming into this year. Why, I don't know. 

Jones-Drew has had to take on Luke McCown and rookie Blaine Gabbert starting, amongst a very questionable defense, and has still proven himself as one of the better backs in the league. 

MJD has been able to gain 307 yards on 66 attempts, and an additional 64 yards on six receptions. He is the workhorse of this team, and is able to keep them in games with his admirable performances. 

His knee seems to be giving him little trouble. Despite the cards being stacked against him, Jones-Drew is still one of today's elite running backs. 

Ahmad Bradshaw

Really, this should be a split between Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. 

Both have been performing quite well. Bradshaw continues to be one of the best blocking backs in the league, giving Eli Manning much needed time to find open wide receivers. On top of that, he's been able to rack up a solid 4.4 yards per carry, and a receiving and rushing touchdown. 

Jacobs has also performed well, albeit in a different role. Jacobs is the short yardage back, as he well should be at six foot four and 264 pounds. He may only be gaining 3.4 yards per carry, but he's gotten six first downs and two touchdowns in limited work. 

This duo makes up one of the best in the NFL. Their diversity gives them a distinct edge over everyone else. 

LeSean McCoy

McCoy, who is one of the best receiving backs in the NFL by far, has been having his most successful year rushing the ball yet. 

In three games McCoy has managed to rush the ball 57 times for 345 yards and four touchdowns. Given the Eagles have one of the best passing attacks in the game, this comes as a bit of a surprise. His 6.1 yards per average ranks him amongst the best in the league.

McCoy's breakaway speed is one of his greatest assets. He has the ability to score from anywhere on the field, and is slippery in open spaces. Whenever Michael Vick struggles, he can always rely on McCoy. 

I expect McCoy to have a breakout year. As long as Michael Vick is quarterback, McCoy will get some amazing running room, and he'll make the best of it. 

Ray Rice

The Baltimore Ravens astounded the league when they trounced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. A lot of that had to do with Ray Rice. 

Rice picked up 107 yards on only 19 carries and an additional 42 yards on four receptions against the Steelers. He also picked up a receiving and rushing touchdown. 

The Steelers defense has been the bane of every rushing attack in the NFL over the last few years. They allowed the fewest rushing yards of any team last year, and dominated the run so frequently that teams were forced to throw the ball. 

Rice is truly dominating the run game, despite a sluggish performance in Week 2. Without him, the Ravens might be a mediocre team. 

Darren McFadden

The Raiders, despite losing one of the top two corners in the league, half their offensive line, their pro-bowl tight end, and having massive receiver injuries, are still 2-1 and a force in the NFL. How? Darren McFadden. 

Truly, I don't think the Raiders would be half the team they are without McFadden. The current rushing leader of the NFL, McFadden has 61 attempts for 393 yards and three rushing touchdowns. On top of that, he has gained 84 yards on 11 receptions in the passing game, and another touchdown. 

McFadden is simply destroying every defense he's run into. If it weren't for his poor performance against what should be a weak Bills defense in Week 2, I think he would easily top this list. If he avoids injury for the entire year I think he will be in contention for the rushing title. 

2. Fred Jackson

For those of you unaware, Fred Jackson has been dominating the league on the ground. 

Jackson has been an underrated asset of the Bills for years, and he is finally getting the carries and credit he deserves. In three games Jackson has carried the ball 47 times for  303 yards, a 6.4 average, and has scored three touchdowns. The only thing keeping him out of the number one spot is the fact that the Bills passing attack is also flourishing, giving him plenty of room to run. 

Jackson is also a major contributor in the pass game, picking up 115 yards on only eight receptions. It doesn't get much better than this, and part of the Bills 3-0 start can be contributed to Jackson's excellent play. 

1. Adrian Peterson

There should be no doubt as to who is the clear cut number one running back in the NFL today. 

Adrian Peterson is All Day. He has by far the most hopeless situation in the entire NFL. He's on an 0-3 team, with a washed up quarterback, and an offensive line that is amongst the worst in the entire NFL. Despite this, he has till managed to gain 296 yards on 58 attempts and score three touchdowns. 

Despite every defensive coordinator game planning around Peterson, he still manages to gain an astounding 5.1 yards per carry. He carry's the Minnesota Vikings on his back, and without him they would be a truly hopeless team. 

Any team would be tremendously improved by his presence. Truly, Peterson is the greatest back of this generation.