1. Joseph Addai (IND) – Look for Addai to be the focal point of the Colt’s offense this week against a Denver defense that focuses more on the pass. This is a great match up for Addai and he should have a colossal game.
2. La Dainian Tomlinson (SD) – He has yet to get it going on the ground, but in his defense, Tomlinson has faced three very good run defenses in a row. He looked better last week and has his best match up of the young season this week vs. Kansas City. The ground slump ends here.
3. Brian Westbrook (PHI) – He busted loose last week and has a tendency to go on streaks of great games. He is listed as day to day with an abdominal strain. Westbrook will likely play, but those of you who have Buckhalter, stand by. (Check injury report: abdomen)
4. LaMont Jordan (OAK) – He is finally having the year that many fantasy owners have been waiting for. Jordan has the potential to put up monster stats again vs. a surprisingly pores Miami run defense.
5. Travis Henry (DEN) – Henry finally found pay dirt last week despite only 11 carries and a poor yardage day. He should be a work horse in the Denver offense this week. Expect a strong game.
6. Marion Barber (DAL) – He was able to do the near impossible last week by wearing down a tough Bear’s defense with a 100 yard performance. Barber also scored his 5th TD in three weeks. Despite splitting carries, he has better fantasy numbers than most starters not competing for duty. Another great match up at home this week against a poor Ram’s run defense.
7. Shaun Alexander (SEA) – He has been a solid and consistent producer to this point and should continue to achieve positive results. He has a good match up this week and will likely provide you with another quality week despite a cracked bone in his wrist.
8. Thomas Jones (NYJ) – Jones was finally able to overcome injuries and break out of his mini-slump last week. This week’s match up is equally as attractive and Jones should once again post great numbers against a struggling Buffalo defense.
9. Willis McGahee (BAL) – He has been a consistent performer throughout the first three weeks but has zero TD’s on the ground. Look for that to change in week 4. We like his chances against the Browns.
10. Marshawn Lynch (BUF) – He surprised everyone last week with a pretty solid game against a very tough Patriot’s team. He should have his best game of the season this week vs. a horrid Jet’s run D.
11. Willie Parker (PIT) – He is coming off three consecutive 100 yard performances. Parker lacks the goal line touches to get into the end zone on a regular basis but he is maybe the best option out there for yardage heavy leagues. Expect another strong game for him this week, at least yardage wise.
12. Frank Gore (SF) – Gore has had his struggles to find yardage on the ground this year. The good news he has found the end zone a couple of times already and is facing a Sea Hawk defense that he has smoked in past meetings. This could be the week Gore returns to All-Fantasy form.
13. Ronnie Brown (MIA) – Brown exploded last week against the Jets. He finally got more than 20 carries, which we feel is the key to his success. If they feed him the ball enough, he could eat up the Oakland D as well.
14. Adrian Peterson (MIN) – Chester Taylor is likely to return as the starter this week but not to worry. Peterson will still be the feature back and get plenty of touches, especially considering the Vikings have yet to conjure up a passing attack. Fairly tough match up against the Packers but this kid is pretty tough himself.
15. Laurence Maroney (NE) – He had his first 100 yard game last week and could improve on that this week vs. one of the league’s worst run defenses. He is battling a groin pull and continues to give up some carries to Morris, but we like his chances for another strong game this week. (Check injury report: groin)
16. Cedric Benson (CHI) – Benson finally found the end zone last week but has yet to find consistency in the ground game. If the offense can get a boost from new QB Brian Griese, Benson stands to benefit greatly. Good match up this week.
17. De Shaun Foster (CAR) – He has been both great and awful at times this season. He faces a stubborn Tampa Bay run defense but has enjoyed success against them in the past. Foster will again share carries but he should have a decent outing.
18. Derrick Ward (NYG) – It is still unknown if his ankle injury will limit his participation this week. If he is healthy, Ward should supply another good effort, as he has performed admirably in his first three games. (Check injury report: ankle)
19. Edgerrin James (ARI) – He only had 10 carries last week against a very stubborn Raven’s defense but he made the most of them with a 5.7 ypc average. He should increase his work load this week but faces another stingy run defense in the Steelers. Tough match up.
20. Carnell Williams (TB) – He has been getting to pay dirt lately but he also has a case of fumblitus. For the latter reason he is starting to give up carries to fellow RB’s. Carolina’s defense can be rough on backs and will likely limit Cadillac’s production this week.
21. Brian Leonard (STL) – This rookie comes into his first start with a lot of hype but faces an up hill battle. First and foremost, If Steven Jackson was struggling in this offense, what chance does this guy really have? As talented as he may be, it will be tough sledding in a pass heavy offense with a depleted offensive line. On a positive note, he should get plenty of carries and you never know what someone is capable of until they actually play. It will be interesting to see if this kid has what it takes to be a fantasy starter.
22. Jamal Lewis (CLE) – Lewis should come into this game against his former team with a bit of a chip on his shoulder after they let him go in favor of McGahee. Never the less, the Raven’s defense is too much for him to have a big game.
23. Ron Dayne (HOU) – He will likely be the starter this week if Ahman Green is a scratch. Even if Green does start, he is still nursing an injury, and Dayne should see the majority of the action against a suspect Falcon run D. Solid match up but a bit risky given the situation.
24. Larry Johnson (KC) – As promised, Johnson’s work load did increase last week, unfortunately, his productivity did not. He is having a rough time getting it going and faces a fairly difficult obstacle this week in the Charger run defense. He is also nursing a hamstring. (Check injury report: hamstring)
25. Warrick Dunn (ATL) – He has made decent work of his opportunities. Dunn’s productivity has remained steady through the first three weeks despite a steady decrease in carries. Tough match up against a rugged Texan’s run defense.
26. Sammy Morris (NE) – This guy is producing more on the stat sheet than most starters in spite of his back up status. He is also the goal line back and has a very promising match up against the Bengals.
27. Ahman Green (HOU) – Green has a good match up this week but will likely not see much of it, if at all. A knee injury has pushed him down the rankings list this week. Pay close attention to the injury report, as he may somehow play through the injury, but it is more likely that Dayne gets most of the load this week even if Green does play. (Check injury report: knee)
28. Kenny Watson (CIN) – He was impressive in relief of Rudi Johnson last week. Watson is very likely to bear that responsibility again this week but a really tough match up this week makes him a liability at best.
29. DeAngelo Williams (CAR) – He is still a victim of the 2 back system in which he is the #2 guy. You should set the bar kind of low for him until he proves he can be successful in such a system. Other guys are producing as #2 backs and he is plenty capable of doing the same, but he has yet to do so.
30. Julius Jones (DAL) – Jones’ work load and production have dropped each week. This is most likely due to the stellar play of back mate Marion Barber who has undoubtedly separated himself from Jones. It’s only a matter of time before this starter is delegated to mop up duty for Barber.
31. Najeh Davenport (PIT) – We realize that he gets only scraps but do you realize he is averaging 7.2 yards per carry? Did we also mention that he is also the goal line back? Those are some pretty tasty scraps wouldn’t you say? He’s a great option if you are in a fix and he is available.
32. Chester Taylor (MIN) – For the third consecutive week, Taylor claims he will be in the starting line up. We just hope he does not make a liar of himself and us again this week. Even if he does start, he should give way to Peterson early, and is a risk until he proves to be healthy and able to produce. (Check injury report: hip)
33. Jerrious Norwood (ATL) – He has break away speed and a lot of upside, but a tough match up and limited touches will likely limit his production this week.
34. Brandon Jackson (GB) – With all three backs injured in some way, the Packer RB situation is completely up in the air. Jackson is very risky due to limited output, injury, and a lack of carries. He faces a very tough match up at Minnesota and is not likely to help your fantasy line up much this week. (Check injury report: strained shin-should be ok to play)
35. Vernand Morency (GB) – We suggest holding off on Morency this week as he returns from injury. It is uncertain what his level of participation will be this week but he may establish himself as the starter with a good performance in an otherwise shaky run offense. It’s a tough match up this week but keep an eye on him for the future.
