By Bart Lopez

1. Adrian Peterson (MIN): Peterson struggled on Monday against the Packers, but still finished with a rushing touchdown to go along with 51 rushing yards. This week he will be facing a tough Raiders defense at home. Peterson is too good to vote against, so expect a solid game. Projected fantasy points: 17.9.

2. Ray Rice (BAL): Just when people thought that Rice was just a good running back he busts out the arm. He threw his first touchdown of the year last week against Seattle. The Ravens offense runs through him, which makes him a great fantasy player. Projected fantasy points: 16.9.

3. LeSean McCoy (PHI): McCoy gets the third spot after his fifth straight game with a rushing touchdown. In the loss to the Cardinals, the back ran for 81 yards and a score. This week the Eagles play the Giants. The last time these two teams met McCoy ran for 128 yards and a touchdown. Projected fantasy points: 15.2.

4. Michael Turner (ATL): Michael Turner rushed for 96 yards on 22 carries last week against the Saints. The big back has four 100 plus rushing yards games on the season and seven rushing touchdowns. Expect him to go for around 80 yards and a score against the Titans. Projected fantasy points: 14.3.

5. Matt Forte (CHI): Forte rounds out the list this week. He picked up his third rushing touchdown of the year against the Detroit on Sunday and ran for 64 yards. He is the centerpiece of that offense and a must-start in every league. Projected fantasy points: 14.2.

Not top 5, but could be: This week’s running that missed the cut but is primed for a big game is Dallas’ Demarco Murray. Murray has stepped up big for the Cowboys. He has rushed for 674 yards on the season, including a huge 253 yards outburst against the Rams. He has rushed for over 100 yards in his past two games and I’m expecting that to continue against the Redskins this week. Projected fantasy points: 13.8.