Fantasy Football Rankings Week 11: LeGarrette Blount and More RBs Bound to Fall

Success or failure for an NFL running back, especially when crossing over into the virtual world of fantasy football, is as much about matchups as it is about a player's individual ability to play the position.

Just ask these three ball carriers, whose fantasy value will be hindered significantly by their opponents in Week 11.

LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LeGarrette Blount's return to playing shape has been anything but a thing of beauty for his fantasy owners, with nary a single touchdown and just 57 yards per game in the month of November.

The Packers' eighth-ranked run defense won't make life any easier for the bruising 'back out of Oregon. Neither will Tampa Bay's reliance on the passing game as a means of keeping up with Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay's outstanding offense.

Jackie Battle, Kansas City Chiefs

Speaking of teams that won't be running the ball much this week, the Chiefs will need big days from Tyler Palko and Dwayne Bowe in the passing game more so than Jackie Battle on the ground to keep up with Tom Brady and the explosive Patriots on Monday night.

Not surprisingly, Battle's numbers have declined significantly over the last two weeks to go along with KC's most recent defeats. Granted, Battle isn't exactly the key to victory for the Chiefs, but falling behind early will be anything but a boon to the surprising 'back's productivity.

Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

Perhaps no running back finds himself in a tougher spot in fantasy land than Beanie Wells. He hasn't found the end zone since October, is averaging fewer than 50 total yards per game in that span and now finds himself up against a 49ers defense that leads the league in rush defense and hasn't surrendered a touchdown on the ground all season.

Oh, and all that business about the Cards falling behind and needing John Skelton to chuck the ball at Larry Fitzgerald like there's no tomorrow.