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2012 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Week 7

By: Athlon Sports | 10/18/12, 5:51 AM EDT

Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.

Atlanta, Denver, Miami, Kansas City, Philadelphia and San Diego are all on bye.

2012 NFL Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings — Running Backs

Rk Player Team OPPONENT Notes
1 Arian Foster HOU vs. BAL Two short TDs salvaged otherwise poor showing vs. Packers.
2 Ray Rice BAL at HOU Texans have yet to allow rushing TD to RB.
3 Maurice Jones-Drew JAC at OAK Looking to jumpstart Jags' offense coming off of bye.
4 Darren McFadden OAK vs. JAC Jaguars are ranked 30th in rush defense.
5 Adrian Peterson MIN vs. ARI AP held to just 79 yards last week against Redskins.
6 Trent Richardson CLE at IND Dealing with rib/cartilage issue, but expected to play.
7 Matt Forte CHI vs. DET (Mon.) Should be fresh and rested coming off of bye.
8 Ahmad Bradshaw NYG vs. WAS Followed up 200-yard game with 116-yard effort vs. 49ers.
9 Alfred Morris WAS at NYG Giants only gave up 62 yards rushing to SF RBs last week.
10 Doug Martin TB vs. NO Saints allowing most fantasy points to RBs.
11 Stevan Ridley NE vs. NYJ Couldn't get much going vs. Seahawks last week.
12 Marshawn Lynch SEA at SF (Thurs.) "Beast Mode" will be necessary vs. fired up 49ers.
13 Chris Johnson TEN at BUF Can't ask for better match-up, Bills are last in run defense.
14 Frank Gore SF vs. SEA (Thurs.) Had just 36 yards vs. Giants, 'Hawks will be another tough test.
15 C.J. Spiller BUF vs. TEN Made the most of his opportunities last week.
16 Felix Jones DAL at CAR Big opportunity with Murray sidelined (foot).
17 Darren Sproles NO at TB Always seems to do well against Bucs.
18 Steven Jackson STL vs. GB Keep an eye on workload split with Richardson.
19 Fred Jackson BUF vs. TEN Still getting most of the carries.
20 Shonn Greene NYJ at NE Broke out in a big way (161, 3) vs. Colts.
21 Mikel Leshoure DET at CHI (Mon.) In for tough test against Monsters of Midway.
22 Rashard Mendenhall PIT at CIN Dealing with Achilles issue, but expected to play.
23 BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN vs. PIT Could help himself and his team with big game vs. Steelers.
24 Alex Green GB at STL Fared pretty well in first career start.
25 William Powell ARI at MIN Took first step in establishing himself as lead back last week.
26 Jonathan Stewart CAR vs. DAL Cowboys have been somewhat susceptible to run.
27 DeAngelo Williams CAR vs. DAL Crowded backfield continues to limit touches, production.
28 Vick Ballard IND vs. CLE Had a total of 25 yards in first career start against Jets.
29 Pierre Thomas NO at TB Better option than Ingram because of receptions.
30 Daryl Richardson STL vs. GB Slowly moving towards equal split with SJax in Rams' backfield.
31 Montario Hardesty CLE at IND Workload will depend on Richardson's playing status.
32 Ben Tate HOU vs. BAL Could be flex option given Ravens' issues with run defense.
33 Isaac Redman PIT at CIN Dealing with ankle issue, keep eye on updates throughout week.
34 Michael Bush CHI vs. DET (Mon.) Has taken backseat since Forte's return.
35 LeGarrette Blount TB vs. NO Slowly developing into viable red zone back, possibly more.
36 Phillip Tanner DAL at CAR Should backup Jones, had 31 yards in 2nd half vs. Ravens.
37 Danny Woodhead NE vs. NYJ Has replaced Bolden as Pats' second option at RB.
38 Kendall Hunter SF vs. SEA (Thurs.)  
39 LaRod Stephens-Howling ARI at MIN Won't be long before Powell officially passes him on depth chart.
40 David Wilson NYG vs. WAS Has put together back-to-back strong showings.
41 Mark Ingram NO at TB Basically a one-trick pony and not get many carries at that.
42 Brandon Bolden NE vs. NYJ His touches continue to decline.
43 Mike Goodson OAK vs. JAC Has reasserted himself as McFadden's backup.
44 James Starks GB at STL Injuries and Green's emergence have made him almost irrelevant.
45 Jamie Harper TEN at BUF  
46 Cedric Peerman CIN vs. PIT Led team with 8 catches last week.
47 Robert Turbin SEA at SF (Thurs.)  
48 Baron Batch PIT at CIN Role will depend on Mendenhall's, Redman's status.

Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:

OFFENSIVE SCORING
All touchdowns are 6 points
1 point for 25 yards passing
1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving
Receptions are .5 points
Interceptions/fumbles are minus-2 points

Additional Week 7 Positional Rankings

Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Defense/Special Teams

Week 7 Waiver Wire

Week 7 Start or Sit

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