Week 12 Fantasy Rankings: 5 Running Backs Who Will Pile Up Points

Before we go any further, I'll preface things by saying that it's virtually impossible to predict which running backs are going to rack up the most fantasy points in a given week.

Just take a look at what Kevin Smith did in Week 11. Can't say I saw that coming.

This being said, you can at least read the signs, anticipate game plans and do other such complicated things. If you do these things, you can conjure a general picture of how things might play out each week.

Translation: I'm going to tell you which five running backs are going to be piling up points this weekend.

You're welcome.

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

I spent much of the early portion of the 2011 season burying Marshawn Lynch, but even a hater like myself knows not to hate on Lynch right now. He's had at least one rushing touchdown in six straight games.

At some point, the streak is going to end. Lynch will be held out of the end zone and go back to sucking, and I'll go back to writing about how much he sucks.

I just don't see the streak ending this week. The Seahawks have been giving Lynch the ball a lot lately, and that's not going to change against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins do have a pretty decent rush defense, but at this point it's going to take a brick wall to stop Lynch, much less convince the Seahawks to stop giving him so many carries.

Besides, even a brick wall would be at risk against Beast Mode.

Projection: 110 yards rushing, one TD.

Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

There doesn't seem to be any telling when Darren McFadden will be able to return to action, but the Raiders are doing just fine with Michael Bush carrying the rock. He's been a fantasy gold mine since taking over for Run DMC a couple weeks ago.

I'm expecting more of the same against the Chicago Bears. They have a very good rush defense, but that's not going to matter if Bush gets 30 carries again. With that many carries, he's going to gain yards no matter what, and I'll wager he's going to get into the end zone again.

No hurry, Darren.

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

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

I keep waiting for LeSean McCoy to have a bad game, but he keeps refusing to oblige me. He must be as good as his numbers suggest.

Thus, I'm not about to leave McCoy off this list (again). He's as steady as they come, and I'm thinking he should be in for a good game against a New England Patriots defense that has been just okay against opposing running backs this season.

Also, it sounds like Michael Vick is going to be out again, so the Eagles are going to need as much help from McCoy as they can get.

Projection: 110 yards rushing, one TD; 4 receptions, 50 yards.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

So much for Arian Foster being a bust. Even after missing a couple games early in the season with a bad hamstring, the dude has bounced back to look like his 2010 self. That means plenty of points for those who gambled on him not being a bust.

Those same people should be in for more of the same when Foster and the Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Matt Schaub out, Foster (and Ben Tate) can expect to get plenty of touches, and I see no reason why these touches wouldn't result in points.

For what it's worth, Foster rushed for 112 yards and found the end zone the last time he faced the Jags.

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

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Just as Foster should benefit from Matt Schaub's absence, Matt Forte should benefit from Jay Cutler's absence.

Because, you know, it's not like Forte was doing enough in Chicago's offense to begin with.

Forte should be in for a huge day against the Raiders on Sunday. Stopping opposing running backs is not their, um, forte, and a guy who can run and catch as well as Forte is going to put them to the test.

The Raiders will fail this test.

Projection: 130 yards rushing, one TD; six receptions, 50 yards, one TD.