Top 5 Projected Running Backs: Week 15 Top 5 Projected Running Backs: Week 15 By Bart Lopez Keep track of how player injuries have hurt their teams' playoff chances with an ALL-ACCESS membership. All the game previews and in-depth analyses for college football, college basketball, soccer, and NFL games will be at your fingertips. 1. Arian Foster (HOU): Foster had a disappointing game against a tough Cincinnati defense. He finished with just 41 rushing yards on 15 carries. He also lost a fumble. This week the Texans play the Panthers. Carolina hasn’t stopped anyone, and that won’t change as Foster is going to run all over the Panthers. Projected fantasy points: 19.9. 2. LeSean McCoy (PHI): McCoy didn’t get a lot of yardage last Sunday, but he reached the end zone twice on the ground. McCoy has been great all year, running for 1,172 yards on 242 carries for 4.8 yards per carry. McCoy does too much to keep him on your bench. Projected fantasy points: 17.5. 3. Adrian Peterson (MIN): Peterson is back in action this week and will look to continue his streak of six straight games with a rushing touchdown. The Vikings play the Saints on Sunday, but it really doesn’t matter what team he is facing. Peterson runs over everybody. Projected fantasy points: 17.2. 4. Michael Bush (OAK): Bush has stepped up big with McFadden missing so many games with an injury. He had another solid game against the Packers, rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown. Bush is a solid fantasy player as the top back in the sixth best rushing offense in the league. Projected fantasy points: 15.9. 5. Ray Rice (BAL): Rice tore up the Colts last Sunday. He rushed for 103 yards and one rushing touchdown. Baltimore plays San Diego in southern California this week. The Chargers’ defense hasn’t played well all year, so expect Rice to continue rolling. Projected fantasy points: 14.8. Not top 5, but could be: This week’s running back that missed the cut is Tennessee’s Chris Johnson. The Saints absolutely shut down Johnson last Sunday. He took 11 carries for just 23 yards. This week Johnson will bounce back against the struggling Colts. I’m expecting him to run for at least 100 yards and to reach the end zone on more than one occasion. Projected fantasy points: 14.1. Top 5 NFL fantasy quarterbacks Top 5 NFL fantasy wide receivers Top 5 NFL fantasy tight ends Top 5 NFL fantasy defenses/special teams Top 5 NFL fantasy kickers
