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Fantasy Football Week 7 Rankings: Peyton Hillis and the 3 Riskiest RBs

John RozumOct 19, 2011

Even though RBs are becoming gradually less and less used in pro football because of the pass-happiness going on, they can still play a key role in fantasy football.

The west coast offense has been popping up here and there and the RBs are vehemently important to that type of offense having success.

Unfortunately, there are RBs who will struggle due to this passing fad going on, regardless of the offense, because as we all know, match-ups mean just as much, if not more.

So with that, here the three riskiest RB starts in Week 7.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (vs Baltimore)

MJD almost hit the 100-yard mark against the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, their run defense has been very skeptical this season. The Baltimore Ravens, on the other hand, rank No. 3 against the run and No. 7 against the pass.

Now, Jacksonville does play better at home and the Ravens are flaky on the road (loss to Titans on the road in Week 2), but with a rookie QB under center, the Jags' are relying on MJD a lot more.

Baltimore knows this, so they will stack the box to force Blaine Gabbert to beat Ed Reed. In other words: not gonna happen.

Not saying to sit MJD, but just don't be disappointed when he struggles to score you seven or eight points.

 2. Peyton Hillis, Browns (vs Seattle)

The Browns are straight-up underachieving, whereas the Seattle Seahawks come into Cleveland with a lot of confidence after knocking off the New York Giants on the road.

On the year, Cleveland ranks No. 30 in rushing offense to Seattle's No. 7-ranked rush defense, so even if Peyton Hillis is given the rock to set up the pass, he's not going to have much success any way you slice it.

If Cleveland wants him to have some yards, they should revert to the air early on because the Seahawks are No. 23 against the pass. Either way, Hillis has really only had one decent game all year and that came against the winless Colts in Week 2.

Regardless of how many times he gets to touch the rock, it's a safe bet that there won't be much production.

1. Chris Johnson, Titans (vs Houston)

The fact that Titans' RB Chris Johnson is having a significantly underperforming year should tell all young RBs to not hold out and go through training camp.

Johnson has only eclipsed the 100-yard mark one time this season (Cleveland), and has only 250 yards for the year.

The Houston Texans come into Tennessee vulnerable, but they know the key to stopping Tennessee is to stop Johnson.

Not only will Houston stack the box and force QB Matt Hasselbeck to beat them with no established receiving targets, but they will blitz and blitz hard.

Also, the Titans are ranked No. 32 in rushing offense, where Houston is No. 13 in rush defense. Even if the Titans win this game, Johnson will not play well at all, and you can't expect him to after how 2011 has gone for him.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.