Adrian Peterson owners weren't exactly expecting the type of game he put up Monday night against the Packers. But this year has been pretty rocky in terms of running back stats. Even Ray Rice, who is usually a rock put up a measly 27 rushing yards against the Seahawks. What can you do? Keep chugging away. Guys like Peterson and Rice usually have that lul only to come back the week after. Why do I bring all this up? Someone actually asked me if they should bench Rice going into Week 11. Not surprising. I get those type of questions a lot.
Below are my running back rankings going into Week 11. I want to remind everyone that this week's Thursday night game has the Jets playing against the Broncos. Unlike Week 10, the Texans, Colts, Saints, Steelers are all off this week.
TOP FIVE WEEK-ELEVEN MATCHUPS (MUST START)
1. LeSean McCoy (PHI) @ NYG: At this rate, McCoy is the only offensive weapon that the Eagles have right now. With Michael Vick's status up in the air with broken ribs, McCoy could get a heavy workload this week. In the first meeting against the Giants, McCoy went off for 128 rushing yards and a touchdown.
2. Matt Forte (CHI) vs. SD: If it wasn't for a rushing touchdown, Forte's Week 10 would have been pedestrian. Facing a Chargers run defense that gives up almost 18 fantasy points a game should help him bounce back. I expect more catches than the 1 he had against the Lions Sunday.
3. Adrian Peterson (MIN) vs. OAK: AD had a very off night against the Packers, rushing for only 51 yards. Like Forte, a rushing touchdown salvaged what could have been a disastrous evening. Peterson has a much better matchup against a Raiders Defense that is giving up 132.4 rushing yards a game.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) @ CLE: MJD continues to impress after putting up 114 rushing yards and a score in Week 10 against the Colts. The Browns' run defense has been shoddy this year, so we should easily see another strong game out of Jones-Drew in Week 11.
5. Fred Jackson (BUF) @ MIA: After a hot start, the Bills have faded, losing two straight. Luckily for fantasy owners, Jackson continues to dominate. He now has 6 100+ rushing games and should continue to dominate in what is a must-win game against the Dolphins. A touchdown would be nice.
| Rank | Player | Information |
| 6. | Michael Turner (ATL) | vs. Tennessee Titans |
| 7. | DeMarco Murray (DAL) | @ Washington Redskins |
| 8. | Michael Bush (OAK) | @ Minnesota Vikings: McFadden has yet to be ruled out, but I would be shocked if he played. |
| 9. | Reggie Bush (MIA) | vs. Buffalo Bills: Stronger PPR option. |
| 10. | Ray Rice (BAL) | vs. Cincinnati Bengals |
| 11. | Marshawn Lynch (SEA) | @ St. Louis Rams |
| 12. | Steven Jackson (STL) |
vs. Seattle Seahawks |
| 13. | Brandon Jacobs (NYG) | vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Switch in Bradshaw if he plays. |
| 14. | Chris Johnson (TEN) | @ Atlanta Falcons |
| 15. | Shonn Greene (NYJ) | @ Denver Broncos |
| 16. | Maurice Morris (DET) | vs. Carolina Panthers |
| 17. | Frank Gore (SF) | vs. Arizona Cardinals: Should start, but is a very shakey option with Kendall Hunter possibly getting more work. |
| 18. | Jackie Battle (KC) | @ New England Patriots: If the Chiefs can't keep the game close, forget it. |
| 19. | Lance Ball (DEN) | vs. New York Jets: Moreno is done and McGahee is questionable. |
| 20. | BenJarvus Green-Ellis (NE) | vs. Kansas City Chiefs |
| 21. | James Starks (GB) | @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 22. | Jonathan Stewart (CAR) | @ Detroit Lions |
| 23. | Cedric Benson (CIN) | @ Baltimore Ravens: Hate the matchup. |
| 24. | Beanie Wells (ARI) | @ San Francisco 49ers |
| 25. | Chris Ogbonnaya (CLE) | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 26. | LeGarrett Blount (TB) | @ Green Bay Packers |
| 27. | Ryan Mathews (SD) | @ Chicago Bears |
| 28. | Kendall Hunter (SF) | vs. Arizona Cardinals |
| 29. | Roy Helu (WAS) | vs. Dallas Cowboys: Just a flex until used properly. |
| 30. | Mike Tolbert (SD) | @ Chicago Bears |
BEST OF THE REST:
| 31. Ryan Torain (WAS) vs. Dallas Cowboys |
| 32. DeAngelo Williams (CAR) @ Detroit Lions |
| 33. Ryan Grant (GB) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 34. Danny Woodhead (NE) vs. Kansas City Chiefs |
| 35. Daniel Thomas (MIA) vs. Buffalo Bills |
I wish everyone the best of luck this week. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post below.
