Week 13 Fantasy Football Projections: LeGarrette Blount and the Top Backs

LeGarrette Blount is baaaaack.

After struggling mightily for much of the first half of the season, Blount has bounced back in a big way. In his last two games, he has rushed for 210 yards and a TD.

For the first time since Week 1, he is completely healthy, and is running over opponents again. This week, his Bucs host the Carolina Panthers and their 28th ranked rush defense. They are allowing over 137 yards per game and have been dismantled by backs like Donald Brown and Kevin Smith of late.

Expect a huge game for Blount and a top-five fantasy performance.

Here are two other backs that aren’t obvious must-starts that need to be played this week:

Reggie Bush vs. Oakland Raiders

Bush is healthy and is producing the sort of bounce-back season few predicted after such a rough start. He has three TDs in his last three games as the main ball carrier over Daniel Thomas.

This week he should carve up a Raiders defense that gives up the sixth most fantasy points to opposing backs. Couple that with the whole "West Coast team playing sluggishly in an early start in a East Coast city" and you got yourself a must-start back.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. Indianapolis Colts

It’s no secret the Colts have thrown in the towel on the 2011 season and the proof is in the defense. The 31st ranked rush defense is so bad I’m pretty sure you could run for at least 75 yards. Last week, they made a washed up DeAngelo Williams look like a star again (69 yards, two TDs) and ditto for Jonathan Stewart (70 yards).

Green-Ellis is coming off two monster games in a row and will likely be getting plenty of second half carries with his team firmly in the lead.

It wasn’t safe to start him earlier in the season, but this week you can guarantee at least 75 yards and a TD out of him.