Week 13 Running Back Rankings

Armando Marsal

Fantasy Writer

@Armando_fbguru on twitter

In many fantasy leagues, this is the last week of the regular season. For some owners, in order to get in the playoffs, they need to win this week. As per usual, most of the regulars are back in the top 10. C.J. Anderson and Justin Forsett are probably the only two backs you haven't seen in the top 10 that often. Anderson anchored himself as the starting back for the Broncos with a big performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 12. He rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. He's the lead back in one of the better offenses in the NFL, and should get plenty of opportunities this weekend. Forsett has now gone back-to-back weeks with over 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He has a solid matchup against the Chargers this week, and should be able to continue his production.

Right outside the top 10 is Alfred Blue. He has done a great job filling in for Arian Foster, who is dealing with a groin injury. In three starts, Blue has rushed for 280 yards and caught four passes 30 yards. If Foster can't play this week, Blue has a great matchup against the Titans defense that has been unable to stop the run. They have given up 13 rushing touchdowns and are allowing 22.3 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. This would be a great opportunity for Blue to have a big game. Another back that made the cut in the top 20 is LeGarrette Blount. There's always a big uncertainty when it comes to Patriots running backs, but Blount has proven to be successful in this system, and it showed last week. In his first game back in a Patriots uniform, he carried the rock 12 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, he found the end zone seven times as a Patriot.

Right outside the top 20 is one of my sleeper picks from last week, Isaiah Crowell. He had a nice game last week as he rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns. However, this week he faces a much stingier Buffalo Bills defense. The Bills are allowing just 11.9 fantasy points per game and have given up just four rushing touchdowns to backs this year. Ryan Mathews also sits outside of the top 20 and he too is coming off a nice game, but two things are concerning me about him. First, he left last week's game with an injury, and could be playing at less than 100 percent this week, despite reports saying he's fine. Second, he's playing the best run defense in the NFL. The Ravens are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs (10.4), and have only allowed three rushing touchdowns. One player outside the top 20 that could be more valuable in PPR leagues is Shane Vereen. He had eight catches last week, and could see plenty of targets against the Packers. Through twelve weeks, the Packers defense has allowed 49 receptions to backs.