NFL Week 7: Who's Hot and Who's Not at the Running Back Position

Having a good running game can win a lot of ball games for a team, while having a poor running game can be quickly exposed.  

We are now into Week 7 of the NFL season and there are several running backs who have been disappointments, and several running backs who are setting the league on fire with their exceptional play. 

Here’s who’s hot and who’s not at the running back position.

Hot: Darren McFadden

Stats:  610 yards, four touchdowns.

Darren McFadden is having a stand out season for the Raiders, and is currently leading the NFL in rushing yardage.  He is a big reason for the early success of the Oakland Raiders this year and is on his way to a pro bowl season. 

While he has had good seasons in the past, McFadden is finally becoming the star many thought he would be out of college.

Not: Chris Johnson

Stats:  250 yards, one touchdown.

Chris Johnson was in a very long holdout this past offseason because he wanted to be “paid like a playmaker.” 

So far, this playmaker has done everything but one thing, make plays. 

This one time 2,000-yard back is averaging about three yards a carry and is not the threat the Titans had hoped for thus far.

Hot: Fred Jackson

Stats:  601 yards, six touchdowns.

Fred Jackson is a huge part of the Buffalo Bills success this year. 

Jackson had a few strong seasons before this one, but he has put the league on notice this year ranking second in the NFL in rushing yardage, and has led the Buffalo Bills to a 4-2 record.

Not: Peyton Hillis

Stats:  211 yards, two touchdowns.

After Peyton Hillis had a breakout season last year, and was featured on the cover of Madden 12 this offseason, the expectations were high. 

Unfortunately, Hillis has not met those expectations, as he barely has over 200 yards and has not had a 100-yard game yet for the Browns. 

Hillis has struggled mightily this year, and will have to step up the production, in order to live up to the hype.

Hot: LeSean McCoy

Stats:  569 yards, seven touchdowns.

McCoy has been a lone bright spot on a Philadelphia Eagles “dream team” that has otherwise been a major disappointment. 

There is only one running back in the NFL with more rushing touchdowns than McCoy, and if the Eagles are to turn around their season, it could be on the shoulders of LeSean McCoy.

Not: Shonn Greene

Stats:  314 yards, two touchdowns

The New York Jets are still waiting on Shonn Greene to have the performances he had in the 2009 playoffs, where it seemed like Greene could be a major weapon on the Jets’ offense.  

Right now Greene is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry and is currently the lead back on one of the worst rushing teams in the NFL.

Hot: Adrian Peterson

Stats: 537 yards, seven touchdowns.

Much like LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson has been a bright spot for the Minnesota Vikings, who have been very disappointing. 

Amidst trouble in the passing game this season, Peterson has been a constant on the offense and is currently leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns. 

Despite the Vikings record, Peterson has proven once again that he can be a workhorse in the backfield.

Not: Cedric Benson

Stats:  458 yards, two touchdowns.

Even though Benson’s yardage is not bad, Cedric Benson has been wildly inconsistent this season. 

Benson has two games this year where he broke the 100-yard barrier against Cleveland and Buffalo.  However, in the other four games, he had one game where he didn't break 70 yards and three games where he didn't break 60 yards. 

Benson will have to become a much more consistent back if he wants to move out of the not section.

Hot: Frank Gore

Stats:  541 yards, four touchdowns.

Frank Gore is leading the charge for the upstart 49ers and he has been dominant doing so. 

In the past three games, Gore has rushed for 127 yards against Philadelphia, 125 yards against Tampa Bay and 141 yards against a then undefeated Detroit Lions. 

The Niners have looked sharp so far this year, and Frank Gore has been the catalyst for that.

Not: Mark Ingram

Stats:  238 yards (on 71 carries), three touchdowns.

Mark Ingram is a former Heisman winner who had a lot of hype coming from the University of Alabama. 

Ingram gets the majority of the carries in a backfield that also features Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas.  However, Ingram only averages 3.4 yards per carry and has not had a game over 55 yards yet on the ground. 

Ingram is clearly getting the opportunity, but will have to do more to make the most of it.