Empty the Bench

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

It’s never a smart move to rely any individual member of the New England rushing attack–they’ll only break your heart–but there are points to be had here. Since the injuries Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor the Pats have leaned on Laurence Maroney, giving him 49 carries the last three weeks, and gotten solid results: 248 yards and 3 TDs. We can’t blame you for rolling with him this week – just don’t expect notorious cheater Belichick to be faithful.

If you’re rocking Chris Johnson, Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson this weekend you should be able to pencil in 20 imaginary points. The matchups at the top of the rankings are fantastic.

The week presents a number of sneaky plays. At 7-1 with a 40-year-old QB, a great offensive line and the second-best offense in football, the Minnesota Vikings figure to get up early on the Detroit Lions and then lean on their running game. Minnesota will have little reason to push their franchise player AP, so Chester Taylor could get a lot of run in the second half.

It’s a similar situation in New York, where the Jets host the Jags and may not have much reason to push 31-year-old Thomas Jones, giving rookie Shonn Greene a chance to inherit some second-half touches. And while Pierre Thomas has proven himself to be “the man” in New Orleans, Mike Bell continues to get carries while Reggie Bush his share of work in the passing game and inside the 20 – both are solid flex plays at pitiful St. Louis.

See also:
- Week 10 QB Ranks
- Week 10 WR Ranks
- Week 10 TE Ranks
- Week 10 DEF Ranks

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans vs. BUF
2. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens @ CLE
3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings vs. DET
4. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers vs. ATL
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars @ NYJ
6. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons @ CAR
7. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers vs. CHI
8. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins vs. TB
9. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints @ STL
10. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. TB
11. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams vs. NO
12. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts vs. NE
13. Thomas Jones, New York Jets vs. JAX
14. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers vs. DAL
15. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals @ PIT
16. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles @ SD (Check Westbrook’s Status)

Running back rankings 16 through 42, after the jump…

17. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
18. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears @ SF
19. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys @ GB
20. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills @ TEN
21. Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals vs. SEA
22. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers vs. ATL
23. Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions @ MIN
24. Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers vs. PHI
25. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots @ IND
26. Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins vs. DEN
27. Mike Bell, New Orleans Saints @ STL
28. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos @ WSH
29. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints @ STL
30. Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks @ ARZ
31. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers vs. PHI (Check Status)
32. Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals vs. SEA
33. Tashard Choice, Dallas Cowboys @ GB
34. Shonn Greene, New York Jets vs. JAX
35. Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts vs. NE (Check Status)
36. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills @ TEN
37. Carnell Williams, Tampa Bay Bucs @ MIA
38. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs @ OAK
39. Chester Taylor, Minnesota vikings vs. DET
40. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys @ GB
41. Correll Buckhalter, Denver Broncos @ WSH
42. Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders vs. KC

See also:
- Week 10 QB Ranks
- Week 10 WR Ranks
- Week 10 TE Ranks
- Week 10 DEF Ranks