Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Arian Foster and 5 RBs You Must Start

When setting your fantasy football lineup for Week 7 of the NFL season, consider these five backs as the safest plays:

Arian Foster, Texans

The Titans have done well against the run in 2011, and they held Foster to under 80 yards a game in two meeting last season. But you have to factor in that Foster also caught 15 passes for 121 yards in the two games in 2010. That's 279 total yards in two games, which is more than acceptable from a No. 1 back. When you also factor in that the Texans will likely run it more with Andre Johnson out, Foster appears to be a safe play on Sunday. 

Matt Forte, Bears

Fantasy owners have known it for years, but Mike Martz finally figured it over the past couple of weeks: Get the ball to Forte in bunches, watch him rack up the yards and touchdowns. It's working lately, as Forte has over 400 total yards rushing over the past three games and almost 100 more receiving. Unless Martz is completely off his rocker—and he still might be—Forte should see the ball plenty against the Bucs. If that's the case, expect more big numbers.

Ray Rice, Ravens

I'll credit the Jaguars defense for being markedly improved against the pass in 2011, but the praise stops there. Teams have run it on Jacksonville, including Pittsburgh (176 yards from backs) and New Orleans (167) in the past three weeks. Rice will add to that recent run of lousy play against the run for the Jags. He's had a whole week to rest up, and I'd bet that the Ravens unleash him in big numbers Monday night.  

Darren McFadden, Raiders

Carson Palmer plans to start on Sunday, but the Raiders will likely use a big dose of McFadden to help ease Palmer into the offense with only a few days of preparation. McFadden is in a semi-slump (I even hesitate to call it that), as he hasn't cracked 100 yards in three weeks. He won't make it four. The Chiefs defense better be ready for a big helping of No. 20.  

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers

The hamstring looks completely healed, or at least Mendenhall made it look like it last Sunday. The Steelers' workhorse carried the rock 23 times for 143 yards and a score, showing no signs of holding back against the aforementioned Jaguars defense. Mendenhall will now face a Cardinals run defense that got thrashed by Adrian Peterson before their bye. You have to like Mendenhall's chances to score big points again this week.