Point Projection 18 points 8 Rashard Mendenhall Pittsburgh Steelers vs

Despite having a sprained ankle, Williams is expected to play in Week 13 and the good news for fantasy owners is that he has a great match-up this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who has an extremely poor rush defense. In a Week 6 meeting with the Buccaneers, Williams had his best game of the season when he had 30 carries for 152 yards with two touchdowns. He is an elite fantasy running back option this week in this match-up Point Projection: 22 points 3. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) IndianapolisWith 18 carries for 154 yards and a touchdown, Chris Johnson added to his NFL rushing lead and now has 1,396 rushing yards through 11 games played. It was the sixth straight game that he has amassed 128 or more rushing yards and he has seven rushing touchdowns over his last five games. There may not be a better running back in the NFL right now then Johnson and he is an absolute must-start on a weekly basis regardless of the match-up Point Projection: 21 points 4.

Thomas Jones (New York Jets) BuffaloThomas Jones is quietly putting together a very good season. 1 rushing option for the Jets, which is something many pundits didn’t expect. Jones has an excellent match-up this week against a Buffalo Bills rush defense that has been one of the worst in the NFL this season Use him as a No. 1 fantasy football running back this week against a Bills’ team that he had 22 carries for 210 yards with a touchdown against in Week 6 Point Projection: 21 points 5 Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) ChicagoAfter four straight games with 116 or more yards, Steven Jackson was held to 89 yards on 23 carries in Week 12. Louis’ less than stellar offense this season and has scored double digit fantasy football points in seven of 11 games this season Continue to use Jackson as a No. 1 fantasy running back this week against a Chicago Bears’ defense that is giving up more than 125 rushing yards per game and has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns Point Projection: 20 points 6.

Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) ArizonaAdrian Peterson continues to be one of the best and most consistent fantasy running backs on a weekly basis. He has scored double digit fantasy point eight times this season and he has scored nine points or more in all 11 games. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) SeattleIn a Week 12 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Frank Gore had 16 carries for 33 yards and added seven receptions for 14 yards with a touchdown. From a yardage standpoint it was a less then stellar game, but he did add the receiving touchdown salvaging a decent performance for fantasy owners and it was his fifth straight double digit fantasy outings. Continue to use Gore as a RB1 this week when he faces a Seattle Seahawks rush defense that he torched for 207 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. Point Projection: 18 points 8 Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. OaklandRashard Mendenhall had 24 carries for 95 yards and added two catches for 22 yards in an overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. It was an impressive performance against a very good Ravens’ rush defense and it was the third time in the past four games that he has scored double figure fantasy points.

Mendenhall should be used as a RB1 this week against a Oakland Raiders’ rush defense that is allowing more then 160 rushing yards per game and has given up 17 rushing touchdowns this season. Point Projection: 18 points 9. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) ClevelandLaDainian Tomlinson had 13 carries for 39 yards with two touchdowns in a Week 12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. If he didn’t lose a fumble as he was diving into the end zone he could have found pay dirt for the third straight time. He appears to be fully recovered from early season injury issues and is once again becoming a viable starting fantasy running back.