Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings: Adrian Peterson and RBs with Best Matchups

Conventional wisdom suggests that there was no way any of us could have predicted that Dallas Cowboys rookie running back DeMarco Murray would explode for 253 yards rushing in Week 7.

Then again, maybe we should have. Murray and the Cowboys were going up against the St. Louis Rams, who have been struggling to stop the run all season. Murray's performance was definitely a surprise, but it wasn't necessarily as fluke.

Make no mistake about it, matchups play a big role in fantasy football, particularly as they pertain to running backs.

So hark! Here are four running backs that have really favorable matchups on their hands in Week 8.

4. Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews looked to have a favorable matchup on his hands against the New York Jets in Week 7, but he ended up with just 13 carries for 39 yards and four receptions for 26 yards.

Mathews should be in for a much better performance on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mathews has already faced them once this season, and he ended that day with 98 yards rushing, 51 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The Chiefs do have decent totals against the run this year, but they were last seen surrendering 99 yards to Oakland's Michael Bush. If you keep at 'em, they can be beat. And given the way Philip Rivers is going, the Chargers would be wise to run right at the Chiefs as much as possible.

3. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Yes, you are seeing Chris Johnson on this list. I know he's struggled this year, and I can't say with any certainty that he's going to stop struggling, but there's no denying that he has a very favorable matchup this weekend.

CJ and the Titans will be taking on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Colts are always weak against the run, and not much has changed this year, as they are allowing just over 150 rushing yards per game.

Moreover, when we last checked in with the Colts, they were allowing over 230 rushing yards to the New Orleans Saints, who aren't known for their running prowess.

Maybe, just maybe, CJ can follow their lead.

2. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

Here comes our guy again, and for good reason. Murray had an easy matchup last week, and he has another one this week.

Murray and the Cowboys are going up against the Philadelphia Eagles, whose struggles against the run have been well-documented. They're allowing over 120 rushing yards per game, and have been burned by the likes of Michael Turner, Frank Gore and Fred Jackson.

The Eagles' biggest problem is that they don't have the right kind of personnel to stop bigger, stronger backs, and Murray fits that particular bill. Don't be surprised if he runs roughshod over the Eagles, just like he did against the Rams.

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson's awesomeness knows no bounds. He's silly like that.

Fresh off his impressive 175-yard performance against the Green Bay Packers, A.D. now gets to face the Carolina Panthers, who are 29th in the NFL against the run. They've done okay against the run here and there, but it's definitely worth noting that some of the league's elite runners have had their way with the Panthers. Maurice Jones-Drew had a great day against the Panthers, as did Matt Forte and Michael Turner.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say it's Peterson's turn.