Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 8: DeMarco Murray and RBs Entering Beast Mode

Running backs have either been the best thing that has happened to your fantasy team this season or the worst thing. Plenty of the elite running backs have lived up to expectations (Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster). But there have been more than a few that have been colossal disappointments (Peyton Hillis, Chris Johnson). 

The good news is that there have been a number of running backs that have emerged from the shadows to have good games and, in a select few instances, good seasons. 

Week 8 will feature a number of intriguing running backs locked in favorable matchups that you need to get in your lineup. 

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

It is amazing what one great game can do for you. Not only is DeMarco Murray the hottest name in fantasy football right now, but he is also the Dallas Cowboys' leading rusher now with 324 yards. 

Of course, 253 of those yards came against St. Louis, but it still does not change the fact that he is an emerging star in the back field.

Don't worry about Murray being stuck in a bad matchup in Week 8, either. The Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. 

The Eagles have allowed 124 rushing yards per game this season, and up until the Washington game in Week 6, they had given up at least 86 yards to opposing team's No. 1 running back. 

Murray is the hot hand in Dallas right now, and the Eagles defensive front can't stop anyone. 

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

I know Johnson was mentioned earlier as a disappointment, but with a matchup this good, he is a must-start. 

We have reached a point with Johnson where you can't possibly start him unless he has the right matchup. He is only averaging 2.9 yards per carry this season and was even benched in favor of Javon Ringer in Week 7 against the Texans. 

Something has changed with Johnson and the way he runs, which is having a negative effect on his performance. 

The good news is that he gets to face a Colts defense that just gave up 62 points and has looked lifeless basically all season. They rank 31st in the NFL in rush yards allowed per game (150.9).

Don't count on Johnson every week just yet, but he is a virtual lock to have his best game of the season against Indianapolis. I expect at least 120 yards and two rushing touchdowns from him. 

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Ingram has had a very inconsistent rookie season, not to say that that is unusual, but he had his best game last week against Indianapolis with 91 rushing yards. 

Now, Ingram gets to go up against a St. Louis defense that just gave up 253 yards to DeMarco Murray last week. 

Don't expect Ingram to put up those kinds of numbers, but he should get the first 100-yard game of his career and two rushing touchdowns. 

The lesson with this is if you have any Saints skill player on your team, make sure that they are in your starting lineup.