Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Back

Here’s the LestersLegends’ Week 9 2011 fantasy football running back rankings.

1. Arian Foster vs. Cleveland

The Browns are giving up 127.3 ypg on the ground. Dual-threat Foster should put up another monster game. 

2. LeSean McCoy vs. Chicago

Facing the No. 1 rushing defense didn’t slow down Shady. Neither will Da Bears. 

3. Beanie Wells vs. St. Louis

Beanie actually showed some toughness last week. Throw in a matchup with the league’s worst run defense (165.6 ypg) and you should have a winner. 

4. Fred Jackson vs. New York Jets

The Jets are giving up 126.9 ypg on the ground. The Bills will turn to Jackson plenty in the passing game as well, as their wideouts will likely struggle. 

5. Michael Turner at Indianapolis: The Colts rank 31st with 144.0 rushing yards allowed per game. They don’t have the size to slow down Turner. 

6. Matt Forte at Philadelphia: The Eagles’ run defense has improved, but Forte does it all. 

7. Frank Gore at Washington

Gore continues to put up massive numbers. He’s averaging 131.8 yards and a touchdown in his past four games. 

8. Ray Rice at Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a tough draw, but Rice remains a must-start. 

9. Steven Jackson at Arizona

Suddenly S-Jax looks like a top 10 back again. He’s averaging 129.7 total yards and a TD in his past three games.

10. Michael Bush vs. Denver

Looks like McFadden won't be able to play making Bush a solid RB1.

11. Shonn Greene at Buffalo

The Bills are giving up 120 ypg. Greene is averaging 95.3 total yards in his past three games.

12. DeMarco Murray vs. Seattle

He had a strong follow-up to his breakout game. His team just played him out of the game. That shouldn’t be the case against Seattle.

13. Mike Tolbert vs. Green Bay

The Packers are tough against the run, but Tolbert is active in the passing game as well. Plus, it doesn't look like there will be much competition for touches thanks to injuries.

14.  Cedric Benson at Tennessee

Should be fresh after sitting out last week. The Titans are giving up 129.3 rushing ypg.

15. Rashard Mendenhall vs. Baltimore

Very tough matchup. You’ll have to hope for a score from Mendy to crack double-digit fantasy points.

16.  Darren Sproles vs. Tampa Bay

Sproles continues to get a ton of looks in the passing game. He’s a safe RB2.

17.  LeGarrette Blount at New Orleans

Should receive little competition for carries against a Saints team giving up 124.1 ypg.
 

18. Brandon Jacobs @ New England:

With Bradshaw out suddenly Jacobs becomes a RB2.

19.  Chris Johnson vs. Cincinnati

CJ0.5K is in a season-long funk. Bengals have second-best run defense (85.4 ypg allowed)

20.  Knowshon Moreno at Oakland

Should get another start with McGahee out. Raiders are giving up 116.9 ypg.

21.  Reggie Bush at Kansas City

Do I think Bush will have a repeat of last week? No, but I liked what I saw from him and KC struggles with the run.

22.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. New York Giants

Patriots are hard to predict, but the G-Men are giving up 130.1 rushing ypg and Belichick typically exploits weaknesses.

23.  Jackie Battle vs. Miami

The Dolphins actually have a pretty solid run defense. They have only allowed three rushing TDs and 109.9 ypg.
 

24.  James Starks at San Diego

Chargers are giving up 117.7 rushing yards per game.

25.   Chris Ogbonnaya at Houston

Houston has a solid defense, but with Peyton Hillis likely out Ogbonnaya should get a lot of touches.

26.  Daniel Thomas at Kansas City

If his hamstring is good to go, he will still split carries with Reggie Bush.

27.  Delone Carter vs. Atlanta

Averaging 50.5 yards and 0.5 TDs over the past four games.

28.  Ryan Torain at San Francisco

Nearly impossible to use him against the Niners’ top run defense (73.4 ypg).

29. Bernard Scott @ Tennessee

Earned some extra carries with his play last week.
 

30. Javon Ringer vs. Cincinnati

Outplayed CJ0.5K. He should get more looks.

Also check out:

• Week 9 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Week 9 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Week 9 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Week 9 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• Week 9 Fantasy Football Sit/Start Advice