Fantasy Football Week 16 Rankings: Running Backs

Week 15 was another big week at the running back position, as 25 different RB's totaled 10 or more fantasy points. This is a true indicator that the majority of the teams in the NFL employee a two back system that allows for more parity at the RB position in fantasy football.

Because of this, only 11 running backs have already surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and just about a handful more have a shot with two weeks left in the season. With RBBC taking the league by storm it will make it even more valuable to get your hands on two of the top 20 running backs heading into 2009.

Most fantasy football leagues are in the finals of their playoffs and you have to be extra careful on who to start this. We suggest you do the best with what you have, so to help you make the right decisions at the running back position, here are the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 16 Running Back Rankings.

1. Steve Slaton (Houston Texans) @ Oakland

Slaton has totaled at least 20 carries and 100 rushing yards in three straight weeks and the rookie has 579 rushing yards over the past five games. His production has played a large role in the Texans four game winning streak and nothing should change in week 16.

The speedster should give a Raiders defense (20 rushing TD's allowed) that allows 35 rushing attempts per game fits all day and because of this he is our top RB during championship week.
Point Projection: 21 points

2. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Atlanta

Peterson leads all NFL running backs with 1,581 rushing yards but what is preventing him from being the top overall fantasy RB is the fact that he has just nine touchdowns. Still, he is averaging over 20 carries and 120 yards per game over the last month and with the Vikings controlling their own playoff destiny you better believe they will rely on their superstar. Plus, the Falcons allows over one rushing TD per game.
Point Projection: 19

3. Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) @ Detroit

With Thomas making the most of every opportunity, Saints fans have been asking themselves "Who is Reggie Bush?"Thomas has 430 total yards and seven touchdowns since week 12 and with Bush possibly missing the remainder of the season you can expect Thomas to see 20-25 carries per game over the next two weeks.

Plus, he is a receiving threat out of the backfield and will give the Lions lackluster defense problems all afternoon. If you plucked him off your waiver wire a few weeks back... Cha Ching! 
Point Projection: 18 points

4. Thomas Jones (New York Jets) @ Seattle

The year that ones (15 total TD's) is having just goes to show you how much quarterback Brett Favre is feared by opposing defenses. On top of that, Jones has scored in eight straight games and the last time he failed to reach double-digit fantasy points was in week four against the Cardinals.

This week he takes on a Seahawks defense that allows close to 400 total yards per game, so Jones should have no problem being a top performer yet again.
Point Projection: 18 points

5. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) vs, San Francisco

Despite failing to finish another game, Jackson (head injury) still totaled 127 yards and a touchdown during the Rams week 15 loss. Surprisingly, his week 16 opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, have limited Jackson to just three career touchdowns in eight games.

Still, his workload has increased on a weekly basis and we expect him to touch the football upwards of 30 times in this game. If you're an owner reluctant to play him because of his injury concerns, we feel the reward will outweigh the risk this week.
Point Projection: 17 points

6. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Washington

Fresh off two straight 30+ point performances, Westbrook (7 career TD's against Washington) let down thousands and thousands of owners on Monday Night as he could manage just six fantasy points against a hapless Cleveland Browns defense.

This week he takes on a Redskins defense that allowed 161 total yards to Cedric Benson in week 15, so if the Eagles use him right he should bounce back just fine.
Point Projection: 17 points

7. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) @ Minnesota

Turner is averaging 26 carries per games and 112.5 rushing yards over the last month and he has six touchdowns to show for it. On paper the matchup against Minnesota is tough, but with the Vikings being without key run stopper Pat Williams and the Falcons feeding him the football often, it should lead to another big day for Burner Turner.
Point Projection: 17 points

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK BELOW...

Fantasy Football Week 16 Rankings: Running Backs