Here’s a look at my rankings for running backs. Everything is the same except I dropped the weather factor down to 1-5 since running backs aren’t as affected by bad weather as QBs and WRs … snow can even help them because teams have to abandon the pass altogether.
1. Adrian Peterson 45 (Strengths: Detroit’s defense, has a good track record against the Lions; Weaknesses: He’s a bit banged up)
2. Joseph Addai 39 (S: Cincy’s poor defense is banged up; W: Dominic Rhodes is poaching carries)
3. Tim Hightower 39 (S: Rams terrible D, home game, he’s due for a breakout; W: He’s still losing some carries to Edge)
4. Matt Forte 38 (S: Jags D banged up is poor against run; W: O-line a bit banged up)
5. Ronnie Brown 38 (S: Bills’ D is reeling, Wildcat formation allows him plenty of opportunities; W: Splitting carries with Ricky Williams)
6. Pierre Thomas 38 (S: Deuce’s absence leaves big hole; Falcons are beatable by big backs; W: Reggie Bush will take away carries, throws)
7. Chris Johnson 36 (S: Browns defense is bad, offense is worse; W: Splitting carries with LenDale White)
8. Steve Slaton 36 (S: He’s hot right now, Packers’ D is beat up and horrific against run; W: It’s going to be chilly and the Texans are not good on road)
9. Michael Turner 36 (S: Grant’s suspension leaves hole in Saints’ D; W: New Orleans surprisingly good against run; NFC South team on the road)
10. Ryan Grant 36 (S: Texans really bad against run; W: Aaron Rodgers seems to steal a lot of goal-line carries)
11. Steven Jackson 34 (S: He’s got something to prove after coach called him out; W: Cardinals’ D isn’t shabby)
12. LenDale White 34 (See Chris Johnson, but drops because Johnson more involved in the offense)
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13. Thomas Jones 34 (S: 49ers D is bad and banged up; W: Brett Favre may throw the ball 50 times; cross-country flight)
14. Peyton Hillis 34 (S: Chiefs’ run defense is putrid; W: He’s unproven)
15. Brian Westbrook 33 (S: Giants best linebacker distracted; W: Weather could play a part in limiting his catches, Giants’ D as a whole is great)
16. Brandon Jacobs 32 (S: He’s tough to tackle, TD machine, weather could be good for him; W: Giants are distracted, Eagles’ D is good, splitting carries)
17. Maurice Jones-Drew 32 (S: He just scores TDs, Bears’ D banged up; W: Bears D good againts run, Jags seemingly giving up)
18. Reggie Bush 32 (S: Falcons D is beatable, NFC South team at home; W: He’s still limited since coming back from knee surgery, splitting carries/touches)
19. Frank Gore 31 (S: Home game, still playing hard; W: Jets’ run defense is stout)
20. DeAngelo Williams 31 (S: NFC South team at home; W: Bucs’ run defense is great, splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart)
21. Marion Barber 30 (S: He’s a good fit for bad weather; W: Steelers’ D is flat-out great against run, the field conditions could be horrendous)
22. LeRon McClain 30 (S: Ravens at home would like to establish run; W: Splitting carries with two other guys)
23. Larry Johnson 29 (S: Broncos run defense is susceptible; W: K.C. is not known to play well in Denver, he just doesn’t seem right)
24. Cadillac Williams 29 (S: Team wants to get him more involved; W: Still splitting carries with Warrick Dunn, NFC South team on road)
25. Sammy Morris 29 (S: Seahawks’ D is bad and banged up; W: Splitting carries, still recovering from injury)
26. Cedric Benson 28 (S: Colts’ D is banged up big time; W: He’s not very good, the Bengals aren’t very good and the run could be abandoned quickly)
27. Clinton Portis 27 (S: Uh … he’s really good when healthy; W: He’s not healthy, the Ravens’ run D is great, Redskins aren’t playing very well)
28. Jamal Lewis 24 (S: Browns may rely on run with Ken Dorsey behind center; W: The Titans’ run D is good, he looks like he’s lost a step)
29. Kevin Smith 24 (S: He’s healthy; W: Vikings’ D is stout against run, Lions will likely abandon run early, splitting carries)
30. Willie Parker 22 (S: He’s seemingly ready to roll; W: The field conditions could be terrible, he’ll be splitting carries with Mewelde Moore)
31. Julius Jones 22 (S: Patriots’ D is banged up; W: He’s splitting carries with Maurice Morris, Seahawks aren’t scoring a lot of points)
A couple of things to add on here: If Minnesota’s Kevin and Pat Williams are suspended for Sunday’s game, move Kevin Smith up beween McClain and Larry Johnson. If the weather isn’t bad for Sunday’s Steelers-Cowboys game add about four points to each of their totals and adjust accordingly.
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