Week 11 Fantasy Football Rankings: Looking at the Top RBs

With Week 11 of the NFL season kicking off tonight with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets, it's time to start looking at fantasy football rankings for the week. 

We'll start with the running backs. While some of the regulars make the list, you might be surprised by a few other names that crack the top five.

Let's go to No. 5 on the list... 

5. Reggie Bush, Dolphins

I never thought I'd be saying this, but over the past couple of weeks, Bush has established himself as a legitimate fantasy running back. 

The touches are there (at least 16 in three straight games), and Bush is producing with the opportunity. Over that three-game stretch, Bush has over 300 yards of total offense with three scores. 

In Week 11, Bush gets his best defensive matchup of this stretch. The Bills are No. 24 against fantasy running backs, and they've given up over 120 yards and a score in back-to-back games. 

4. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks

Lynch has been one of the hottest running backs of the past two weeks, having racked up over 100 yards rushing and a score in each of the Seahawks' past two games.

Lynch has been a touchdown vulture, too. In his last six games, he has at least one score in five of them. He's also scored in three of four home games this season. 

This week, Lynch and the Seahawks host the St. Louis Rams, who rank as the fifth worst fantasy defense against running backs this season. Look for Lynch to continue to his hot streak of late against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. 

3. LeSean McCoy, Eagles

I called Lynch a "touchdown vulture," but McCoy is the definition of the term. He's scored at least one touchdown in eight of the nine games in 2011.

With the Eagles likely without Michael Vick for this week, the game plan should center around the many talents of McCoy.

He's been underused (30 total carries in past two games after going for 185 yards on 30 carries in Week 8) by Andy Reid of late, but that shouldn't be a problem this week when the Eagles travel to New York to take on the Giants.  

For the Eagles to have a chance at extending their season another week, McCoy should see the football early and often.

2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings

The Packers contained Peterson (14 carries, 51 yards, TD) as well as anyone has this season last week, but Peterson should be ready to bounce back this week against the Raiders' 29th-ranked fantasy rushing defense.

Oakland has allowed 10 or more fantasy points to opposing running backs in eight of their nine games this season, and the Bills, Patriots and Broncos all cracked the 180-yard mark.

Don't forget that Peterson has been almost unstoppable at home this season, too. In four games at the Metrodome in 2011, Peterson has 495 yards and seven touchdowns.

Count on another big day under the bubble for Peterson.  

1. Matt Forte, Bears

After taking a week off from the top spot while playing the Detroit Lions, Forte makes his triumphant return to the top of the fantasy rankings at running back. 

Consider that the Chargers are fresh off giving up almost 200 yards on the ground to the Oakland Raiders last week, and Michael Bush isn't quite the same kind of weapon that Forte is in Chicago. Bush ran for 157 yards and also caught three passes for 87 more against the Chargers.

I'm sure Forte is licking his chops this week watching that film. Can he match Bush's numbers?