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.
Even though both were questionable headed into their teams' respective owners, Adrian Peterson and Maurice Jones-Drew got enough carries in Week 1 to be relevant for those owners who decided to stick with them. This week there's no uncertainty about whether you should start either, although Jones-Drew appears to be in for a tougher time as he will face off against Houston, while Peterson will get his crack at Indianapolis. The marquee running back showcase is in Philadelphia as Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy will be on the same field and have tough assignments against the respective defenses. Darren McFadden caught 13 passes on Monday night, but his owners are hoping for considerably more than the 32 yards rushing he had against the Chargers as the Raiders go cross-country to play the Dolphins. All eyes also will be on Chris Johnson to see if he can bounce back against San Diego from a miserable four-yard effort on the grond in Week 1, while C.J. Spiller looks to prove to everyone he is ready to be a No. 1 option following his 169 yards against the Jets and with Fred Jackson sidelined for at least a month. Spiller will get his chance against a Kansas City defense that gave up 40 points to the Falcons in Week 1, although most of that damage came via the pass.
2012 NFL Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings — Running Backs
| Rk | Player | Team | OPPONENT |
| 1 | Arian Foster | HOU | at JAC |
| 2 | Ray Rice | BAL | at PHI |
| 3 | LeSean McCoy | PHI | vs. BAL |
| 4 | Matt Forte | CHI | at GB (Thurs.) |
| 5 | Darren McFadden | OAK | at MIA |
| 6 | Jamaal Charles | KC | at BUF |
| 7 | DeMarco Murray | DAL | at SEA |
| 8 | Adrian Peterson | MIN | at IND |
| 9 | Maurice Jones-Drew | JAC | vs. HOU |
| 10 | Chris Johnson | TEN | at SD |
| 11 | Marshawn Lynch | SEA | vs. DAL |
| 12 | Frank Gore | SF | vs. DET |
| 13 | Steven Jackson | STL | vs. WAS |
| 14 | C.J. Spiller | BUF | vs. KC |
| 15 | Reggie Bush | MIA | vs. OAK |
| 16 | Stevan Ridley | NE | vs. ARI |
| 17 | Ahmad Bradshaw | NYG | vs. TB |
| 18 | Doug Martin | TB | at NYG |
| 19 | Willis McGahee | DEN | at ATL (Mon.) |
| 20 | Shonn Greene | NYJ | at PIT |
| 21 | Michael Turner | ATL | vs. DEN (Mon.) |
| 22 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | CIN | vs. CLE |
| 23 | Darren Sproles | NO | at CAR |
| 24 | Trent Richardson | CLE | at CIN |
| 25 | Donald Brown | IND | vs. MIN |
| 26 | Alfred Morris | WAS | at STL |
| 27 | Kevin Smith | DET | at SF |
| 28 | Jonathan Dwyer | PIT | vs. NYJ |
| 29 | DeAngelo Williams | CAR | vs. NO |
| 30 | Mark Ingram | NO | at CAR |
| 31 | Beanie Wells | ARI | at NE |
| 32 | Michael Bush | CHI | at GB (Thurs.) |
| 33 | Cedric Benson | GB | vs. CHI (Thurs.) |
| 34 | Jonathan Stewart | CAR | vs. NO |
| 35 | Ben Tate | HOU | at JAC |
| 36 | Ryan Williams | ARI | at NE |
| 37 | Ronnie Brown | SD | vs. TEN |
| 38 | Kendall Hunter | SF | vs. DET |
| 39 | Peyton Hillis | KC | at BUF |
| 40 | Jacquizz Rodgers | ATL | vs. DEN (Mon.) |
| 41 | Toby Gerhart | MIN | at IND |
| 42 | Curtis Brinkley | SD | vs. TEN |
| 43 | Isaac Redman | PIT | vs. NYJ |
| 44 | Pierre Thomas | NO | at CAR |
| 45 | Felix Jones | DAL | at SEA |
| 46 | Knowshon Moreno | DEN | at ATL (Mon.) |
| 47 | David Wilson | NYG | vs. TB |
| 48 | Brandon Jackson | CLE | at CIN |
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 2 Positional Rankings
Quarterbacks [10]
Wide Receivers [11]
Tight Ends [12]
Kickers [13]
Defense/Special Teams [14]
Week 2 Start or Sit [15]
