1. Marshawn Lynch (BUF) – While he certainly isn’t on pace to break any rushing yardage records so far this season, Lynch has been taking care of business in the red zone. After last week’s 2 TD performance, he has now scored at least 1TD in each of his first 3 games, totaling 4 all together. He will match up against a terrible St. Louis run defense in week 4. The average game for the Rams defense so far this season, 184 rushing yards allowed, 2 rushing TD’s allowed, and 2 runs of 20 yards or more per game. Lynch should finally eclipse the 100 yard rushing mark and back to back multiple TD games look to be a strong possibility.2. Frank Gore (SF) – He is a little behind where we thought he might be at this point in the season, but he has scored a TD in every game so far, not to mention averaging 137 total yards per game, so it’s hard to complain. Gore should continue to produce on a high level against a shaky Saints run defense in week 4. Only 3 teams in the NFL are giving up more yards per carry than New Orleans’ 5.3 ypc average. The Saints have also allowed 3 rushing TD’s. As usual, Gore is a no brainer for your starting fantasy line up.
3. Marion Barber (DAL) – If you were to look at Barber’s history against the Redskins and go on that alone, there is probably no chance you would have him in your starting line up this week. In his last 4 games against Washington he is only averaging 47 total yards per game, and only has 1 TD in all 4 games combined. It doesn’t look all that promising, but the fact of the matter is that you can not bench arguably the best fantasy RB so far this season just because of the past. He had horrible track records against Green Bay and Philadelphia too, and he came out smelling like roses against them this year. Is the week 4 match up a little scary? Sure it is, but this guy is on fire, and you would have to be certified crazy to sit him, no matter how gloomy the past might look.
4. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) – While it was comforting to finally see L.T. plowing his way back into the end zone on Monday night, it was quite obvious that his toe injury is still an issue. He should progress a little each week, but it could still be a while before he completely returns to form. A match up at Oakland should bolster Tomlinson’s progress in week 4. He has historically dominated the Raiders defense. In his last 4 games against them, he has accumulated 8 TD’s. Bad toe or not, we like Tomlinson’s chances for another strong game in week 4. Check injury report: toe (full practice on Thursday)
5. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) – As we expected Jones-Drew finally broke out of his slump with a big game in week 3. You can probably expect more of the same from him in week 4 at home against Houston. The Texans run defense has been horrid in their first 2 games giving up 5 TD’s and 337 yards on the ground. In addition, Jones-Drew has scored at least 1 TD against the Texans in each and every one of his 3 career games against them, including a 184 total yard, 2 TD performance against them last season. Check injury report: ankle (did not practice on Thursday)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE TOP 40 RUNNING BACK RANKINGS FOR WEEK 4.
