Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Arian Foster, Matt Forte and Top RBs

There are a couple of elite running backs on a bye this week, but Sunday's game still feature plenty of great matchups for other running backs to shine. 

We've reached the halfway point of the season, and some players are exceeding expectations, whereas others are falling by the wayside.

A few big-name backs will have a much easier time scoring fantasy points this weekend, but there are those with unfavorable matchups.

Here are the top running backs in fantasy football for Week 9. 

Arian Foster 

The Houston Texans offense is all about the run game right now, and Foster is the key component. Without Andre Johnson, Houston is heavily relying on the ground and pound, and Foster is going to deliver on Sunday afternoon. 

The Cleveland Browns will travel to Houston this week, and with them they bring their 26th ranked rushing defense. Foster is going to tear the Browns' defense apart, and he will once again lead all running backs in fantasy points. 

Foster excels in the backfield in more ways than one. He hits the hole hard, and he's also a very talented receiver out of the backfield. 

Expect a big day from Foster, as the Browns will not be able to slow him down. 

Matt Forte 

The Chicago Bears are well rested after their bye week, and now they must hit the road to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in prime time TV on Monday Night Football. 

Despite contract problems, Forte will continue to produce for the Bears. He is practically the entire offense, with his elusiveness helping him succeed in the ground game, as well as being a great receiving back.

Forte has exactly what you want from a fantasy football back, and so far this season, he hasn't disappointed. Philadelphia has struggled quite a bit against the run this season, but it's been a few weeks since they've really been burned.

Monday night's game is going to come down the wire, as both teams will thrive on offense. Forte will have a fantastic performance in prime time, which will greatly please his fantasy owners.

Michael Turner 

Another running back coming off a bye, Turner gets the fortunate task of going up against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. 

The Colts rank 31st in the NFL against the run, and 22nd against the pass. It's going to be a great offensive day for the Atlanta Falcons, but they will not forget their identity, which is a run-first team.

Atlanta backed off of that at the beginning of the year and the Falcons suffered because of it. However Turner has rushed for over 120 yards in each of his last two games.

The Falcons will let "Tuner the Burner" loose, and he's going to have a monster performance against the Colts on Sunday. 

Rounding out the Top Five for running backs in Week 9 is Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills, and Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers. Jackson is up against the New York Jets, and Gore will take on the Washington Redskins.