Fantasy Football Week 7: Darren McFadden and More RBs Who Will Pile Up Points

As much as I love running backs, I'll be damned if they're easy to predict.

For example, after watching him do a whole lot of nothing in the first five weeks of the season, who could have predicted that Ahmad Bradshaw would explode for 100 yards rushing and three touchdowns?

Not I, that's for sure.

Nevertheless, I am going to take my weekly shot at predicting which five running backs will be raking in the points in Week 7. If I'm right, their owners will end up rejoicing.

At the very least, this is a good way to satisfy the craving we all feel for name-drops and mysteriously calculated fantasy projections.

5. Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Trust me, I realize that I'm going out on a very, very thin limb by including Ingram on this list. The rookie has done a good job of finding the end zone in recent weeks, but racking up yards does not appear to be his forte.

I expect things to change on Sunday when the Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have had a devil of a time limiting opposing rushers this season, and the fact that they are soft in the middle plays into Ingram's ability to run between the tackles. If he is successful early, I can see the Saints going to him more and more, which could result in Ingram's first career 100-yard day.

Mysteriously calculated projection: 100 rushing yards, one TD.

4. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

To my recollection, I've left Adrian Peterson off my weekly list just once that season. That week, he rushed for three touchdowns in the first quarter. Lesson learned.

This being said, I do worry about Peterson going up against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Their rush defense is pretty good, and you just know that they're going to be keying in on Peterson with Christian Ponder under center.

Alas, I just can't doubt A.D. Not after what happened the last time.

Mysteriously calculated projection: 100 rushing yards, one TD; two receptions, 20 yards.

3. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Run DMC is another guy who is impossible to leave off my weekly list. That might have something to do with the fact that he's the league's leading rusher.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about McFadden this week. With Carson Palmer under center, he's going to get plenty of carries, but I expect Michael Bush to get more work than usual as well. Moreover, I don't have much faith in Palmer to be good right out of the gate, so it could be tough sledding for McFadden and Bush against the Kansas City Chiefs.

But will they stop McFadden? Probably not.

Mysteriously calculated projection: 110 rushing yards, one TD; three receptions, 30 yards.

2. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Matt Forte is pretty much the only guy in Chicago's offense capable of actually doing anything, so it's no surprise that the Bears are running him into the ground.

On Sunday, the folks in England will get to witness Forte's slow and steady destruction. Lucky for them, he should have enough juice to treat them to a show against a soft Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense.

Mysteriously calculated projection: 90 rushing yards, one TD; four receptions, 50 yards, one TD.

1. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

If your league is anything like my league(s), the guy who drafted Ryan Mathews is still thumbing his nose. Jerks...

Then again, I would also be thumbing my nose had I drafted Mathews. He's been great, and I think he'll be great again on Sunday against the New York Jets. The Jets have had a very tough time corralling opposing running backs this season, and Mathews has the goods to continue that trend. 

The fact that the Chargers are coming off a bye and the Jets are coming off a Monday nighter can only help.

Mysteriously calculated projection: 110 rushing yards, one TD; five receptions, 50 yards, one TD.