Week 13 Fantasy Rankings: Running Backs with the Easiest Matchups

Anybody who has been playing fantasy football for long enough knows that you have to lean on your running backs. They do the dirty work, and they rack up the points.

But that doesn't mean you can ignore the matchups. No matter how great your stud running back is, even he can be stymied by a brick wall. 

The good news is that not all defenses around the league are capable of putting up a wall. Plenty of them struggle to contain opposing running backs.

These defenses will be in action in Week 13, and that's good news for the five running backs listed below.

5. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

I've been hesitant to sing Chris Johnson's praises this season, but he's earned it. A couple weeks ago, he rushed for 130 yards against the Carolina Panthers. This past Sunday, he rushed for 190 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

CJ struggled against the Atlanta Falcons in between, but the two big performances suggest that he is capable of carving up a weak rush defense. It follows that he's going to make the Buffalo Bills his next victims on Sunday.

The Bills have not been very good at stopping the run this season. They're allowing over 120 rushing yards per game, and three different running backs have rushed for over 100 yards against them this season. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson made it four. I also wouldn't be surprised if he added a touchdown. He's due for one.

4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Given the kinds of numbers Matt Forte has put up this season, he's been relatively quiet in his last two games. He hasn't found the end zone once, and was held under 100 total yards in both games.

Forte should get back on track against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The Chiefs have done a decent job against opposing running backs this season, but they haven't been impenetrable against running backs who can both run and catch the football.

We all know that Forte can do both of those things. For him, it's a simple matter of getting touches, which were mysteriously few and far between in Chicago's first game without Jay Cutler. I'd be very surprised if the Bears neglected Forte again.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

When the Jaguars need offense, they turn to Maurice Jones-Drew.

Shoot, it's not like they have much of a choice. The Jags are an awful offensive team, and I'm going to assume Jack Del Rio's exit is not going to change that. When they need offense, they'll have to keep going to MJD.

That won't be such a bad idea against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Since Week 7, the Chargers have seen three running backs top 100 yards against them, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if MJD added to that total.

By the way, MJD has been catching more passes than usual the last couple weeks. He's on a hot streak, and the Chargers won't be able to stop him.

2. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

The Baltimore Ravens got the better of Frank Gore on Thanksgiving, but that was expected. If there's one thing the Ravens can do, it's stop the run.

That's something the St. Louis Rams are not quite so good at. They're dead last in the NFL in rush defense, and they're coming off a game in which they allowed Beanie Wells to get over 200 rushing yards. It was reminiscent of the time they let DeMarco Murray burn them for over 200 yards.

I don't think Gore will be that productive, mind you. But the 49ers will be looking to re-establish the run, and they don't need to be told that they would be playing into the Rams' biggest weakness.

1. LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This year has been a struggle for LeGarrette Blount, but he's playing pretty well right now. He's topped 100 yards rushing in back-to-back weeks.

I'm counting on a third straight 100-yard performance from Blount against the Carolina Panthers. Their rush defense is virtually nonexistent and they're allowing nearly 140 rushing yards per game. They have let five running backs top 100 yards against them. 

If the Bucs are able to keep the game close, Blount is going to get plenty of carries. When he gets them, he'll have to also give the Panthers a few bruises to remember him by.