Week 4 Fantasy Player Rankings: Running backs

1. Adrian Peterson @ KCC- The Chiefs are ranked 28th in the NFL defending the run and have surrendered a league high five rushing touchdowns in three games.
2. Ray Rice @NYJ- You never bench a stud like Rice, but normally a match-up with the stingy Jets might make you nervous. In a reversal, New York has been awful against the run, currently ranked next to last and tied for the most rushing scores allowed.
3. Darren McFadden vs. NEP- Run DMC got a little dinged last week, but he’s said to be fine. The Patriots have been giving up a ton of points and the Raiders have the NFL’s top ranked run unit. Should be an exciting, fast paced duel.
4. Chris Johnson @ CLE- Johnson has yet to get on track, but the season ending injury to Kenny Britt will cause the Titans to change their offensive approach. The Browns are 29th against the run, and have yet to face a back of CJ’s caliber.
5. Matt Forte vs. CAR- Carolina is giving up 117 yards a game on the ground, but Forte is just as likely to do his damage as a receiver out of the backfield.
6. LeSean McCoy vs. SF- Shady is 2nd in the NFL in rushing and is leading the league in rushing scores with four, but the Niners are stout defending the run. San Francisco has yet to surrender a rushing touchdown.
7. Maurice Jones-Drew vs. NOS- MJD appears fully healthy and with the promotion of a rookie signal-caller will continue to be the entire Jacksonville offense.
8. Felix Jones vs. DET- Jones played his way through a serious shoulder injury and will continue to be the main focal point of the Dallas offense as long as the Cowboys receiving corps is ailing.
9. Michael Turner @ SEA- Atlanta’s passing offense has sputtered so far, so look for the Falcons to put a major emphasis on the running attack to quiet the notoriously loud crowd in Seattle. Turner should see more snaps with Jason Snelling’s injury.
10. Rashard Mendenhall @HOU- The Steelers’ line isn’t opening up enough lanes for Mendenhall, who has also looked hesitant. Houston surrendered over 100 yards and two scores to the Saints last week.
11. LeGarrette Blount vs. IND- This is a prime match-up for Blount and the Bucs. Indianapolis has had major problems defending the run and is unlikely to have much success moving the ball, giving Tampa’s offense abundant scoring opportunities.
12. Arian Foster vs. PIT
13. Tim Hightower @ STL
14. Fred Jackson vs. CIN
15. Steven Jackson vs. WAS
16. Ryan Mathews vs. MIA
17. Ahmad Bradshaw vs. ARZ
18. Frank Gore @PHI- Gore is very questionable. If healthy, this would be a top ten match-up for San Francisco
19. Mark Ingram @ JAX
20. BenJarvus Green-Ellis @OAK
21. James Starks vs. DEN- Starks has the chance to shine IF Ryan Grant is out. If Grant plays, bump Starks down 12 spots.
22. Daniel Thomas vs. SDC UPDATE: Thomas is reportedly not on the Dolphins flight and expected to be out
23. Peyton Hillis vs. TEN
24. Chris Wells vs. NYG
25. Joseph Addai @TAM
26. Jahvd Best @ DAL
27. Brandon Jacobs @ ARZ
28. Cedric Benson vs. BUF - Benson is expected to play while is suspension is under appeal
29. Willis McGahee @ GBP
30. Danny Woodhead @OAK
31. Mike Tolbert vs. MIA
32. Shonn Greene @ BAL
33. Ben Tate vs. PIT- With Foster expected to start, Tate will be relegated to a timeshare
34. Marshawn Lynch vs. ATL
35. Darren Sproles @JAX
36. Jonathan Stewart @ CHI
37. Michael Bush vs. NEP
38. Dexter McCluster vs. MIN
39. Knowshon Moreno @ GBP
40. LaDainian Tomlinson @BAL
41. Jacquizz Rodgers @SEA
42. Earnest Graham vs. IND
43. Thomas Jones vs. MIN
44. Roy Helu @STL
45. DeAngelo Williams @CHI
46. Tashard Choice vs. DET
47. Stevan Ridley @OAK
48. Pierre Thomas @JAX
49. C.J. Spiller @CIN
50. Delone Carter @ TBB
51. Ryan Grant vs. DEN- Monitor status for game If he starts, bump him up.