Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings: Adrian Peterson and More 100 Yard Locks

Yes, the NFL is generally a pass-heavy league. But if there was ever a week to change that theory, this is the one.

There as many as six quarterbacks who could be making their first starts of the 2011 season this week. Three definitely will.

Two of these three running backs will have to deal with their quarterback making his first start.

Actually, four definitely will. Whether or not you believe that Carson Palmer will start for the Raiders, whomever the Raiders choose will be making his first start.

Fortunately, these teams do have a chance. The reason they have a chance is that they have great running backs.

Darren McFadden

I can't imagine that the Raiders will be using a huge aerial assault this week. Their quarterback will be either be Carson Palmer, who hasn't played since January, or Kyle Boller.

On top of that, they just won't need a big passing game. The Raiders have one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL, and the Chiefs just aren't a good enough team to put any pressure on Oakland.

McFadden is a dangerous running back for any opponent. He's a genuine scoring threat whenever he has the ball in his hands. They will go to him a lot on Sunday.

Adrian Peterson

If you were an offensive coordinator, would you want to rely heavily on a rookie quarterback when going against the undefeated Super Bowl champions? If you answered yes to that, you're a far bolder person than I am.

But if you did say yes, ask yourself this question: Would you rely on that same quarterback against the same team if you also had the best RB in the game? 

The Vikings only chance at keeping this game close is to give the ball to Peterson.

Michael Turner

Unlike McFadden and Peterson, Turner's quarterback will not be making his first start of the season. As a matter of fact, Matt Ryan is a fine young quarterback.

But Detroit has had a very hard time defending the run this year. Their defensive set allows for a lot of holes that a back like Turner is perfectly capable of finding.

I do have the Lions winning this game, though, so the Falcons may be forced to pass a lot. Still,  the best way to quiet a tough crowd like the one they will face is to run the ball well