Week 11 Fantasy Rankings: 5 Running Backs Poised to Explode

You never really know which running backs are going to top the fantasy charts at the end of any given week.

To give you some idea: Michael Bush, Chris Johnson and DeMarco Murray were all among the top scoring running backs in Week 10. The three of them don't quite represent the usual suspects this year (which tells you just how far CJ2K has fallen).

The point: Predicting which running backs are going to score more points than the rest is difficult—perhaps even foolish.

But what the heck. I'll give it a shot.

Here are five running backs that I think are going to top the charts in Week 11.

5. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

Don't look now, but Reggie Bush is starting to validate his starring role in the Pizza Hut commercials.

In the last three weeks, Bush has been a scoring machine and has piled up plenty of yards, plus three touchdowns. In Week 10, he had his first two-touchdown game since...the last time he had a two-touchdown game. Which was a while ago.

On Sunday, Bush and the Dolphins will be taking on the Buffalo Bills, a team that has had all sorts of issues stopping the run this season. Just last week, the aforementioned Mr. Murray racked up over 130 rushing yards against them.

I expect Bush to pick up where Murray left off.

Projection: 95 rushing yards, one TD; three catches, 40 yards.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

I'd wager that no running back in the league has it tougher than MJD right now, yet he just keeps producing. The dude is a tank.

That doesn't bode well for the Cleveland Browns defenders, who are likely going to leave Cleveland Browns Stadium with more than a few bruises on Sunday. As long as Blaine Gabbert continues to learn, MJD will keep getting the ball.

Every carry is a bruise for the opposition.

It doesn't help matters than the Browns have been getting killed against the run lately, as they've given up well over 100 yards rushing in three straight games.

MJD will make it four.

Projection: 120 yards rushing, one TD; two catches, 30 yards.

3. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

I feel like I've spent the bulk of my time this year warning people to stay away from Lynch, but he's been pretty damn good in Seattle's last two games, topping 100 yards in both and adding a pair of touchdowns.

Lynch will be expected to carry the load once again this Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, and that should be music to Lynch's ears. The Rams have been awful against the run all season, and I expect Lynch to devour them.

Like a beast.

Projection: 130 yards rushing, one TD; three catches, 20 yards.

2. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Oddly enough, Matt Forte was just okay on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, notching 64 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Such pedestrian numbers simply won't do. If Forte doesn't pick it up, the fantasy owners who live and die by his legs will perish in the night.

Luckily for them, Forte should get back on track this Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers have decent numbers against the run, but when we last saw them they were taking a beating at the hands of Michael Bush.

I sense an encore.

Projection: 120 rushing yards, one TD; five catches, 50 yards, one TD.

1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

They don't come much more reliable than Adrian Peterson. He's fifth in the league in rushing, and has scored at least one touchdown in five straight games.

Peterson is, however, mired in a slump that has seen him held under 100 yards rushing in two straight games.

That will change on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have shown little interest in stopping the run this year, and you just know the Vikings would rather run the ball than risk having Christian Ponder get smushed by Oakland's defensive line.

Projection: 140 rushing yards, two TDs; three catches, 40 yards.