Fantasy Football Week 6: Top 5 Running Back Matchups

At this point in the season there are not many guys available to pick up on the waiver wire. That means making the right call between who to start and who to sit from your current roster is the difference between winning and losing.

Here are the five running backs who will have the best fantasy numbers in Week 6.

1. Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson

Obviously you are playing Adrian Peterson every week if you own him. 

He has an especially appealing matchup this week against a Chicago defense that is allowing opposing running backs to rush for 5.7 yards per carry. That is not a misprint 5.7.

The Bears defense is also 28th in yards per game allowed at 135.6. That number is looks even worse when you take into account that they have played the Packers, Saints and Lions in three of their five games. Those are not teams that make their living running the ball.

2. New York Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw

The Bills have been playing a little bit above their heads early in the season. They are 4-1 but have some major issues on defense.

One of their issues is that they have been gashed by opposing running backs. They are giving up 138.4 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry. That adds up to a big day for Bradshaw.

3. Washington Redskins RB Ryan Torain

You never know what Mike Shanahan is going to do with his running backs, but Ryan Torain looks to be the lead back in Washington. He got 19 carries in their last game against the Rams, while Tim Hightower and Roy Helu each had eight.

The Redskins face an Eagles defense that has been terrible against the run. They are giving up 140.2 yards per game and 5 yards per carry.

4. Atlanta Falcons RB Michael Turner

Michael Turner faces a very favorable matchup in Week 6 against a Carolina Panthers defense that is giving up 135.2 yards per game on the ground.

It is hard to believe that the Falcons might be the team trying to play keep away in this game, but that might be the case. That is the perfect scenario for Turner to get a lot of carries.

5. Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Benson

Cedric Benson is one of just a handful of feature backs left in today's NFL. He has a very good matchup this week against an Indianapolis defense that is giving up 145.2 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry.

Benson should also benefit from playing with a lead in the second half because his defense is going to shut down Curtis Painter and company. That means he will get a lot of second half carries against a tired defense.

*Of course all of this is pending that the NFL waits another week before deciding to suspend him.