Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. (Getty)
Taking a look at the NFL’s Week 7 schedule, I definitely see some defensive matchups to exploit in the running game.
Here are the bottom five rush defenses in the NFL, according to yards allowed per game:
28. Washington — 124.0 yards per game
29. Houston — 126.3 yards per game
30. Oakland — 132.2 yards per game
31. Miami — 147.0 yards per game
32. San Francisco — 174.3 yards per game
You can click here to see the full defensive rushing stats.
But that bottom 5 tells me a few backs have the potential for huge days, including LeSean McCoy (Buffalo at Miami) and C.J. Anderson (Denver vs. Houston).
In our Week 7 running back rankings listed below, are a few players listed below with a “questionable” status. Of course we’ll need to monitor their respective statuses as game day gets closer and plan accordingly then. One in particular is Doug Martin of the Buccaneers. He’s been out since Week 2 with a hamstring injury, but if he can play at San Francisco, Martin is one of the best running back picks of the week. If Martin doesn’t go or is limited, look for Jacquizz Rodgers to take advantage of the 49ers bottom-of-the-barrel rush D. UPDATE: Martin has been ruled out, so get on the Rodgers bandwagon.
If you’re looking for more fantasy football advice for the running backs, click here to see our Week 7 start and sit post.
Click here to see all of our Week 7 fantasy football rankings.
Here are our top 40 running back rankings for Week 7:
Fantasy Football Rankings Week 7 Running Backs
1. DeMarco Murray, Titans, vs. Colts
2. LeSean McCoy, Bills, at Dolphins (UPDATE: OUT)
3. Le’Veon Bell, Steelers, vs. Patriots
4. David Johnson, Cardinals, vs. Seahawks
5. Lamar Miller, Texans, at Broncos
6. Spencer Ware, Chiefs, vs. Saints
7. Doug Martin, Buccaneers, at 49ers (UPDATE: Out)
8. Melvin Gordon, Chargers, at Falcons
9. C.J. Anderson, Broncos, vs. Texans
10. LeGarrette Blount, Patriots, at Steelers
11. Jeremy Hill, Bengals, vs. Browns
12. Chris Ivory, Jaguars, vs. Raiders
Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller. (Getty)
13. Todd Gurley, Rams, vs. Giants
14. Jordan Howard, Bears, at Packers (Thursday)
15. Mark Ingram, Saints, at Chiefs
16. Jay Ajayi, Dolphins, vs. Bills
17. Christine Michael, Seahawks, at Cardinals
18. Matt Jones, Redskins, at Lions
19. Isaiah Crowell, Browns, at Bengals
20. Theo Riddick, Lions, vs. Redskins (questionable)
21. Rashad Jennings, Giants, at Rams (in London)
22. Terrance West, Ravens, at Jets
23. Frank Gore, Colts, at Titans
24. Matt Forte, Jets, vs. Ravens
Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones. (Getty)
25. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs, vs. Saints
26. Jerick McKinnon, Vikings, at Eagles
27. Jacquizz Rodgers, Buccaneers, at 49ers
28. Giovani Bernard, Bengals, vs. Browns
29. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars, vs. Raiders
30. Ryan Mathews, Eagles, vs. Vikings
31. Latavius Murray, Raiders, at Jaguars (questionable)
32. Tevin Coleman, Falcons, vs. Chargers
33. Chris Thompson, Redskins, at Lions
34. Matt Asiata, Vikings, at Eagles
35. Knile Davis, Packers, vs. Bears
36. Devontae Booker, Broncos, vs. Texans
37. James White, Patriots, at Steelers
38. Duke Johnson, Browns, at Bengals
39. DeAndre Washington, Raiders, at Jaguars
40. Arian Foster, Dolphins, vs. Bills