1. La Dainian Tomlinson (SD) – He should return to star form after facing two monster run defenses in a row. The Green Bay D is no push over but we expect a great game from Tomlinson.2. Shaun Alexander (SEA) – Alexander has his best match up of the year at home this week vs. Cincinnati. He should provide you with plenty of points this week.
3. Travis Henry (DEN) – He has carried the load well for the Broncos this season. He has yet to score a touch down, but he is overdue and this could be the week at home against Jacksonville.
4. LaMont Jordan (OAK) – Despite a nagging back injury, Jordan should play and play well against a pathetic Brown’s defense. Great match up. (Check injury report: back –he should be fine)
5. Brian Westbrook (PHI) – He may be limited this week, if he plays at all, due to a knee injury. If he does play, the knee can’t be too bad and we expect a great game given the opponent. (Check injury report: knee)
6. Rudi Johnson (CIN) – He’s coming off a big game last week and the momentum should carry over this week at Seattle.
7. Willie Parker (PIT) – He’s not likely to get in the end zone on a weekly basis, but he sure can put up the yardage numbers. He should be used often this week at home vs. the 49ers. Look for the yards to be there but not the end zone dance.
8. Steven Jackson (STL) – He is a mere 2,382 yards away from his lofty goal of 2,500 yards rushing. Jackson has been a major let down based on expectations of both his self, and fantasy owners. With his talent, it is only a matter of time before he breaks the slump. Could this be the week?
9. Joseph Addai (IND) – He faces a Houston rush defense that has only allowed 69 ypg and zero TD’s, and against some pretty good backs we might add. It won’t be easy, but the passing game should open things up for Addai to do some damage.
10. Clinton Portis (WAS) – He is still giving up a few carries to Betts, but he is making the most of what he gets. Expect a pretty solid game against the Giants.
11. Thomas Jones (NYJ) – The calf injury which has bothered him so much is no longer an issue. He has a great match up against a surprising bad rush defense in Miami (ranked 31st). You can finally insert him into your line up with confidence.
12. Jamal Lewis (BAL) – With the arrival of what looks to be a passing game in Cleveland, Lewis stands to benefit greatly. He won’t have a repeat of last week, but he should have a nice game at Oakland.
13. Frank Gore (SF) –He has had no trouble finding the end zone this season but his yardage totals leave something to be desired. Tough match up at Pittsburgh but if anyone can get it done, it’s Gore.
14. Laurence Maroney (NE) – He has yet to live up to his fantasy billing. A big reason for that has been the emergence of a stout Patriot’s passing attack. He should improve this week against Buffalo, but look for Sammy Morris to steal some carries.
15. Willis McGahee (BAL) – He has not exactly set the stat sheet a blaze this season, but he has been steady. This week’s match up vs. Arizona should provide more of the same.
16. Ahman Green (HOU) – If this game doesn’t get out of hand early, forcing the Texans to go exclusively to the pass, Green stands to have a productive game. The Colt’s run defense has some issues, and with Andre Johnson out, Green should be looked to carry the load.
17. Adrian Peterson (MIN) – Good news: The Vikings have virtually no passing attack which should put the ball in his hands often. Bad news: The Chiefs will keep 8 in the box to slow him down. Also, Chester Taylor may return this week and steal a few carries. He’s very capable, but a little risky this week.
18. Carnell Williams (TB) – He was able to find pay dirt twice last week but he only averaged 2.5 yards per carry. St. Louis provides a pretty good match up, but don’t expect two TD’s again this week.
19. Cedric Benson (CHI) – He went for over 100 yards last week. This week he faces a pretty good rush defense in Dallas. He should put up decent numbers but don’t expect a great deal.
20. Ronnie Brown (MIA) – He has been terrible in his first two contests. We expect him to look much better against a poor Jet’s rush D. Also expect more carries this week.
21. Larry Johnson (KC) – His extended hold out has had an obvious negative effect on his number of carries, as well as his performance in general. Look for him to improve, but it probably will not start this week against a stingy Viking’s defense.
22. Reggie Bush (NO) – He appears to be in the midst of an early sophomore slump. Bush should bounce back a bit this week in his first home game. His value this week vs. Tennessee will come primarily from his receiving skills.
23. Derrick Ward (NYG) – he has been fairly effective as a fill in for Brandon Jacobs. For now, Ward has the job to himself, which means plenty of carries. He should have another semi-productive game at Washington.
24. Edgerrin James (ARI) – he is off to a positive start this season, but this may be a week you want to look elsewhere if you have the option. James’ match up at Baltimore is a brutal one.
25. Deuce McAllister (NO) – He faces a surprisingly improved rush defense in Tennessee this Monday. His workload should increase and for that reason alone; it could be his best week yet, but not by much.
26. LenDale White (TEN) – he is battling a slight foot injury this week but should be fine for Monday night. The New Orleans’ defense provides a great match up but sharing the backfield will limit him.
27. Fred Taylor (JAC) – If Jones-Drew is unable to go this week, Taylor could provide decent numbers, despite two poor showings in a row. Good match up against a Denver run defense that’s a little rough around the edges.
28. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) – Another victim of the sophomore slump. He has a good match up, but an unspecified injury may keep him out this week. (Check injury report: unspecified injury requiring x rays)
29. Marion Barber (DAL) – Facing the Bear’s defense is always a tough challenge. Achieving success against them is an even taller order. Don’t expect much in the way of yards but he could come through in a goal line situation.
30. Marshawn Lynch (BUF) – The rookie sensation has been respectable in his first two starts. This week at New England will be a different story. Awful match up.
31. De Shaun Foster (CAR) – He should most definitely improve on last week but that wouldn’t take much. Splitting carries will limit him even more than his O-line this week.
32. Warrick Dunn (ATL) – He has not fully recovered from off season surgery and he must give up carries to Jerrious Norwood. He is merely an emergency option at this point, but may provide a few yards.
33. Chris Brown (TEN) – As expected, he had a bit of a let down last week. He should provide decent numbers relative to his carries, and that’s the problem, not enough carries.
34. DeAngelo Williams (CAR) – He is used sparingly but provides decent numbers for his efforts. He is not a good start at Atlanta but only because of his part time status.
35. Sammy Morris (NE) – He has had limited carries but he has made the most of them. He may also be used more as a goal line back which adds to his fantasy value. He should pull down a few points for you this week.
36. Julius Jones (DAL) – There are 3 great reasons for you to bench him this week. 1. He’s facing a beast in the Bear’s run D 2. He’s not the goal line back 3. He’s not even the best back on his team
37. DeShawn Wynn (GB) – He stepped up in a big way last week. So much so, that Wynn may replace Brandon Jackson as the starter. Unfortunately, San Diego’s defense is pretty tough on the run, so don’t expect a repeat of last week.
38. LaDell Betts (WAS) – It is unclear what direction the coaching staff will take Betts. The number of carries he received in week 2 dropped dramatically from week 1. He is a good running back with a decent match up at home, but if he doesn’t play much, his fantasy value isn’t worth much.
39. Tatum Bell (DET) – He is a quality running back but Detroit’s pass heavy offense limits his potential. He is best used as a spot starter when your regulars have a bye. Do not expect much from him at Philly.
40. Brandon Jackson (GB) – We know it is still early in the season but it may already be time to give up on him. He has performed poorly and is in extreme danger of losing his starting job. Expect his usual or less.
