Week 13 Fantasy Rankings: LeGarrette Blount and More RBs Who Will Shine

Fantasy owners are unlikely to be worried about starting Matt Forte or Maurice Jones-Drew at this point in the season, but not every running back is such an easy call.

This trio of sometime starters are set up for big games this afternoon.

LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After a respectable game in last week’s loss to Tennessee, Blount gets his first crack at the atrocious Carolina run defense. The Panthers are ranked 28th in the NFL, allowing an average of 137.5 yards a game on the ground.

If even Donald Brown could put up a strong fantasy week against the Panthers, Blount is a safe bet to have a big game himself. Playing on his home field won’t hurt Blount’s numbers any, either.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

On the flip side of the same game, Tampa Bay’s run defense has been appalling lately, with long-dormant Chris Johnson the latest back to torch the Buccaneers. Williams will, as usual, split carries with Jonathan Stewart, but he should still get enough touches to have a big game.

Williams will also be helped by the fact that this matchup of struggling defenses will likely make for a competitive game. Carolina isn’t likely to be battling back from a huge deficit, so the running game will be in play for longer than usual.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots

Usually, the Patriots’ passing game is the way to go for fantasy owners, but in what should be a walkover against the Colts, the ground game will get plenty of opportunities.

Indianapolis has the 31st-ranked run defense in the league, and they’ll certainly be concentrating more on slowing down Tom Brady than Green-Ellis.

This game is going to be over by halftime, and Green-Ellis should be the prime beneficiary of New England looking to chew up clock in the second half. Expect him to add to his season total of seven TDs by this game's end.