Week 6 Fantasy Football Rankings: Adrian Peterson and Other RBs Set to Explode

There are times when I sit down and ponder what the world would be like if running backs were not allowed in fantasy football.

My conclusion: it would suck.

Thankfully, we don't have to worry about that. Running backs are allowed in fantasy football, and they do the bulk of the scoring. 'Tis glorious.

In Week 6, I foresee five running backs in particular turning into bona fide point machines.

5. Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns

Browns running back Peyton Hillis has made more headlines off the field than he has on the field this season. You know you've made it when you get a sore throat that sends a nation into a panic. 

But Hillis is going to get back to doing what he does best against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. What Hillis does best, of course, is rack up yards and leave bruises.

The Raiders are a good team for Hillis to do that against. They have been very generous to opposing running backs this season, and I fully expect the Browns to exploit that by running Hillis right at them as many times as possible.

Projection: 20 carries, 110 yards; three receptions, 40 yards.

4. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons 

Michael Turner hasn't had a 100-yard game since Week 2, but he's done a fine job of keeping the fantasy points coming. That's because he's gotten in the end zone, you see.

I expect Turner to do both against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers have had issues against the rush this season, and they've given up more than their fair share of touchdowns to running backs.

No doubt Turner can't wait to face them.

Projection: 21 carries, 130 yards, one TD.

3. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Run DMC has been slacking off lately. Sure, he leads the league in rushing, but he hasn't had a 100-yard game in two weeks.

Geez.

Luckily, McFadden has done a fine job of racking up total yards, and it's virtually impossible to bottle him up for an entire game. We saw as much against the Houston Texans, when McFadden broke three long runs towards the end of the game. As I recall, he also had a 40-yard run called back because of holding.

Are the Browns bad against the run? Not really. But against McFadden, that doesn't matter.

Projection: 18 carries, 110 yards, one TD; five receptions, 50 yards.

2. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

I want to give Ray Rice a hard time for not having a 100-yard rushing game in a couple weeks too, but that's not his style.

No sir, Rice's style is to get points in a couple different ways, and he's very good at it.

Just like McFadden against the Browns, Rice has no clear advantage against the Houston Texans.

Well, unless the Ravens have figured out a way to exploit the absence of Mario Williams. Either way, I have faith in Rice.

Projection: 17 carries, 100 yards, one TD; five receptions, 50 yards, one TD.

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

When I sat down to draw up a similar list last week, I blatantly omitted Adrian Peterson.

I am pleased to report that I have learned my lesson. All it took was Peterson rushing for 122 yards and three touchdowns.

The scary part is that Peterson and the Vikings now get to face the Chicago Bears. These would be the same Bears who were last seen making Jahvid Best look like Barry Sanders.

So if they can make Best look like Sanders, they'll make Peterson look like...God? I guess?

Projection: 25 carries, 150 yards, two TDs; three receptions, 40 yards.