Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Rich Arleo
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::WEEK 8 RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 30, 2010::

Week 7 was one of the first weeks that went by where a running back didn’t go down with a somewhat serious injury, and fantasy football owners will hope that Week 8 continues that trend. The main thing to point out this week is that there are around ten noteworthy running backs on bye’s, so you may have to dig deep to find a replacement. The big trend in the our Fantasy Football Week 8 Running Back Rankings is that there are few sure things this week. A lot of backs are struggling while others are more boom or bust type players. That said, performances could be all over the place this week and use these rankings as a guide to help you make the right decisions.

**RANKINGS BASED ON STANDARD SCORING - 1 POINT PER 25 PASSING YARDS, 1 POINT PER 10 YARDS RUSHING, 4 POINTS ALL PASSING TOUCHDOWNS, -2 POINTS ALL TURNOVERS**

1. Arian Foster (Houston Texans) @ Indianapolis

Take a trip down memory lane for a second and think all the way back to Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season. The Texans were up against the defending AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts and second-year running back Arian Foster got the start after just beating out Steve Slaton midway through preseason. Foster had shown glimpses of talent in his rookie season but was plagued with fumbling issues as well as maturity issues. Still, some fantasy owners took a chance on Foster late in their drafts and he wasted no time rewarding them as he exploded on the Colts for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries. Some said it was a flue, but here we are in Week 8 and he has 635 yards and six touchdowns on 115 carries along with 180 yards and a touchdown on19 catches. Foster returns from a bye week and will look to wreak havoc once again on a Colts defense that is allowing opposing backs to average 20.7 fantasy points against them this season. He should have no problem continuing his success in Week 8.
Point Projection: 21 points

2. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ New England

As expected, Peterson was able to dominate a depleted Green Bay Packer defense in Week 7, running for 131 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries while also adding two catches for 41 yards. This was Peterson’s third game in which he scored over 20 fantasy points and he has not scored lower than ten in any game. Obviously we’d like to see more of the over-20 point games from AD, but he has easily been the top-five fantasy running back we expected. The Patriots have been pretty solid against the run and have only allowed two rushing touchdowns, but Peterson should still have no trouble breaking through for another big week.
Point Projection:21 points

3. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Denver
Gore didn’t find the end zone for the second straight week, yet had his second straight 100-yard rushing game while adding 57 yards through the air. He’s had at least 149 total yards the past two games and remains one of the most consistent options at RB1 in 2010. You could worry a bit that he hasn’t scored the last two weeks, but if he continues to produce like he has, the touchdowns will come. Gore faces the Denver Broncos in Week 8, a team that has struggled mightily against the run, allowing 12 rushing touchdowns to go along with 156.3 YPG on the ground. Gore’s a top option this week and will continue to be for the rest of the season.

Point Projection: 20 points

4. Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) vs. Carolina

While SJax didn’t score last week against Tampa Bay, he had his third straight 100-yard game, running for 110 yards to go along with another 35 receiving yards for another solid week. If Jackson was on a better offense, he could be a better option than both Peterson and Chris Johnson…unfortunately, that’s not the case. The Rams offense will continue to limit Jackson’s scores, but he is still a very good RB1 option right now and is a must start. Jackson had two pins inserted into his left ring finger Monday, another in the long list of his injuries that will nag him but likely won’t keep him out very long. There’s always a chance he could miss this weeks’ matchup against the Carolina Panthers, but if he’s in there get him in your lineup and expect some big points.  **QUESTIONABLE - EXPECTED TO START IN WEEK 8**
Point Projection: 19 points

5. LaDainian Tomlinson (New York Jets) vs. Green Bay

LT will look to continue his resurgence as he returns from a bye to face a depleted Green Bay Packer defense in Week 8. He has 490 yards and five touchdowns on 92 carries (5.3 YPC) and will go up against a Packer defense that’s allowing 4.7 YPC and 124.3 YPG to opposing rushers…sounds good to us. Start Tomlinson with confidence as a top-5fantasy football running back against the Packers.
Point Projection: 18 points

6. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) @ San Diego

Johnson put up a dud last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, running for just 66 yards without a score. This is Johnson’s third game this season that he’s scored less than eight fantasy points, and he’s on the verge of becoming a boom or bust kind of guy. Make no mistake, when Johnson booms he BOOMS, with games of 27, 24, 25 and 19. The problem is that the other three games are worrisome for a guy who was taken first overall in many drafts this year. Something to look at for Johnson owners is that he really didn’t get it going in 2009 until Week 8…and look what week we’re heading into. From Week 8 and on last year, he had over 100 yards in every game and failed to score in just three of those games…so this is an important week for Johnson. Owners can hope he can repeat his performance from last year, but he’ll have to start this week against the San Diego Chargers, one of the better run defenses in football in 2010. The Chargers are allowing just 85.7 YPG on the ground, so CJ won’t have it easy this week. If he puts up his second straight dud this week it could be time to worry.
Point Projection: 18 points

7. Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ New Orleans

Mendy struggled in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, running for 37 yards on 15 carries, his lowest workload of the season. Head coach Mike Tomlin had said he was worried about Mendenhall’s workload, so he used Mewelde Moore to lighten it a bit this week, giving Moore eight touches in the game. This may be a slight problem for Mendy’s value in the weeks to come, but if it only lasts a few weeks and keeps him healthy as the season progresses, then it could be a good thing. We’d like to see him get closer to 20 carries this week against the New Orleans Saints, and if he gets that he should be more effective than he was last week.
Point Projection: 17 points

8. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Dallas

MJD struggled again as a rusher in Week 7 with just 47 yards on the ground. Fortunately for the MJD faithful, he reminded everyone how good a receiving threat out of the backfield he is with 74 yards and a touchdown on five catches. MJD had been a solid receiver in past year yet didn’t have over 17 yards receiving yet in a game this year, so this was very good to see. It was just his third score of the year, and those numbers unfortunately will remain low given the big-time struggles of the Jags passing game this year. The Jags get a reeling Dallas team that, without Tony Romo, they could possibly grab a lead on and maybe use MJD to run it down their throats. The ‘boys are allowing 4.5 YPC against them this year, and Jones-Drew could take advantage of that. Despite his struggles, he’s still a must start in all leagues.
Point Projection: 17 points

9. Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Buffalo

Thomas Jones again got more carries than Charles (20-15), and again both backs were very effective. Head coach Todd Haley has been splitting the carries evenly with a bit of a lean towards whoever has the hot hand, but the fact that they are running the ball 35 times a game shows their commitment to both backs as an effective part of this offense. Charles ran for 71 yards and a touchdown with his 15 carries last week, and he and Jones should both be able to put up big numbers against the worst run defense in the league, the Buffalo Bills. While running back committees are usually hell for fantasy owners, this situation is starting to resemble the DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart combo from 2009, which is a very good thing. It’s the top ranked rushing offense against the worst run defense in the league, so what more can you ask for?
Point Projection: 17 points

10. Thomas Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Buffalo

Jones keeps chugging along while proving he hasn’t lost the legs that led him to a few great years with the New York Jets. Jones had 125 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in Week 7 and continues to be a big part of the offense despite the presence of the young, dynamic Jamaal Charles. The thing with this situation is that both backs have been very effective the past two weeks and the Chiefs are showing a big commitment to the run, so Jones should be able to have another big week against the Buffalo Bills, who are allowing over 174 rushing yards per game to opposing teams, worst in the league by a wide margin.
Point Projection: 16 points

11. Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) vs. Seattle

Wow. McFadden returned from injury this week and absolutely exploded on the Denver Broncos, running for 165 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and even added 31 yards and a touchdown on two receptions. The Raiders put up 59 on the Broncos, and while this isn’t going to be a common occurrence, McFadden definitely pushed Michael Bush further back in the rear view mirror after this performance. He was putting up big numbers before his injury and it looks like he hasn’t lost a beat so he’s a must start this week. The Seattle Seahawks are actually very solid against the run, second only to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 3.3 YPG and 77.5 YPG average against the run. Still, put him in your lineup and hope he can produce even half of what he did in Week 7.
Point Projection: 16 points

12. Ryan Torain (Washington Redskins) @ Detroit

Torain had his second straight 100-yard game for the Redskins Sunday, finishing with 125 yards on 21 carries against a pretty tough Chicago Bears run defense. He did have a fumble, but he is proving that he can carry the load in Washington with Clinton Portis expected to be out at least a few more weeks. Torain has a great matchup in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions who are allowing more fantasy points to running backs than any other team. He has a very good shot at making it three 100-yard games in a row this week, so put him in your lineup
Point Projection: 14 points

13. Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) @ Oakland

Lynch has apparently won the starting role in Seattle, running for 89 yards on 24 carries. Justin Forsett had just nine carries, and while he was effective with those carries, it appears the Seahawks have entrusted Lynch with the starting job. If he gets 20 carries again this week against the Oakland Raiders, which by all accounts he should, then he is a must start as the Raiders are allowing 138.9 YPG to opposing rushers and are in the top five in fantasy points allowed to running backs this season.
Point Projection: 14 points

14. Beanie Wells (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Tampa Bay.

Beanie got 70 percent of the Cardinals’ carries this week and managed 54 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Seattle Seahawks run defense is no slouch, so this was a pretty solid game for Wells. It seems that the Cardinals will be able to give Wells anywhere from 15-20 carries per game for the time being, as Tim Hightower had just six carries last week. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, Wells should have plenty of running room as they are in the top ten in fantasy points allowed to running backs this season and are one of just three teams allowing over 150 rushing YPG this season. Wells will have to improve on his 3.5 YPC average just a bit in order to hold back Hightower, who is actually still listed as the starter on the team depth chart, but he’ll have a good opportunity to do so against the Bucs this week. Hightower losing his fourth fumble of the season last week certainly helps Wells’ cause as well…start him with confidence this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

15. Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) @ St. Louis

Running for just 29 yards on 14 carries is the bad news. The good news for Stewart owners is that DeAngelo Williams suffered a foot injury that, although thought to be minor, will force him to miss the Panthers’ Week 8 matchup against the St. Louiss Rams. Stewart’s only averaging 3.0 YPC this season and has struggled as Williams’ backup, but he has ran for at least 100 yards in each of the last three games Williams has missed. For those of you who stuck with Stewart in hope that he would return to form, this is the week to start him as your RB2 or Flex.
Point Projection: 15 points