Empty the Bench

The Carolina Panthers are terrified of letting Delhomme air it out, as they should be, and the Bills pass defense has been surprisingly respectable this season (170.7 YPG, 6-to-10 TD-to-INT ratio). Of course, a lot of that modest production is because opponents don’t need to throw on the Bills. Buffalo gives up a league-worst 181.8 yards and 5.3 YPC on the ground.

Carolina figures to lean heavily on the running game this week, which has earned DeAngelo Williams a spot inside our top two and even landed his cohort, Jonathan Stewart, inside the top 15. The Panthers dropped 267 yards and 3 TDs last week via the rush, so there’s plenty of fantasy points to spread around in this matchup.

If Ryan Grant can’t get it going this week against the Cleveland Browns, who are giving up 165.3 rushing yards per at a 4.9 YPC clip, then it’s time to panic. Grant was never a special player, his production has always simply been a product of system and use, but he hasn’t scored since Week 2 despite facing off against the Rams and Lions (who actually field a semi-respectable rush defense). His 3.8 YPC is downright anemic given the matchups to date. The offensive line in Green Bay is ruining fantasy seasons.

The Bengals boast a pretty stout rush defense, but they are susceptible to giving up chunks of yardage to running backs on receptions out of the backfield. It was on full display last week as Steve Slaton managed just 43 rushing yards on 19 carries, but lit up the linebackers and safeties for 6 receptions, 102 yards and a score through the air. Forte hasn’t looked quick this season, but he finished his rookie season with 63 catches and 477 receiving yards and is a strong play this week in all formats.

You spent your hard-earned imaginary waiver-wire dollars on Laurence Maroney this week for a reason. Don’t hesitate to use him, there may never be a better opportunity. The matchup is ideal and we don’t think Sammy Morris will be a factor in this one.

We all know that things can change in a hurry in New Orleans, but right now Mike Bell is a better play than Reggie Bush. If you had told me that would be the case and both were healthy in the preseason I would have been shocked, but the Saints simply have too many weapons in the passing game to keep Reggie involved every week and Bell figures to continue working in short-yardage and goal-line situations despite Pierre Thomas’ obvious superior talent and football skills. It’s frustrating, but it’s the truth. At least for now.

See also:
- Week 7 QB Ranks
- Week 7 WR Ranks
- Week 7 TE Ranks
- Week 7 DEF Ranks

1. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers @ HOU
2. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers vs. BUF
3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings @ PIT
4. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins vs. NO
5. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Sheep vs. IND
6. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons @ DAL
7. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals vs. CHI
8. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans vs. SF
9. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles @ WAS
10. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears @ CIN
11. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints @ MIA
12. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers @ CLE
13. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers @ KC
14. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys vs. ATL
15. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers vs. BUF

Running back rankings 16 through 37, after the jump…

16. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts @ STL
17. Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants vs. ARZ
18. Thomas Jones, New York Jets @ OAK
19. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants vs. ARZ
20. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots @ TB (in London)
21. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. MIN
22. Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts @ STL
23. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills @ CAR
24. Leon Washington, New York Jets @ OAK
25. Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers @ KC
26. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills @ CAR
27. Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals @ NYG
28. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys vs. ATL
29. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins vs. PHI
30. Tashard Choice, Dallas Cowboys vs. ATL
31. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. NO
32. Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Bucs vs. NE (in London)
33. Mike Bell, New Orleans Saints @ MIA
34. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints @ MIA
35. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs vs. SD
36. Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders vs. NYJ
37. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles @ WAS

See also:
- Week 7 QB Ranks
- Week 7 WR Ranks
- Week 7 TE Ranks
- Week 7 DEF Ranks

Steve Slaton Photo Credit: Icon SMI

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