FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.Believe it or not, the Oakland Raiders are not horrible at something. They rank 18th against the pass. Not exactly anything to write home about, but it's not as horrifying as the rest of their stat lines. They routinely get chewed up against the run. Enter the two-headed monster of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
I do think the Panthers get some serious Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith action in the books early, but the game is gonna be out of hand shortly thereafter After that they'll just keep the chains and clock moving via the ground attack. I believe Williams runs for the majority of the yards and gets in the end-zone, and I like Stewart to score as well.
More notes after the rankings.
1. LaDanian Tomlinson, vs. KC
2. Adrian Peterson, vs. GB
3. Brian Westbrook, vs. NYG
4. Frank Gore, at ARI
5. Thomas Jones, vs. StL
6. Willie Parker, vs. IND
7. Maurice Jones-Drew, at DET
8. DeAngelo Williams, at OAK
9. Ronnie Brown, vs. SEA
10. Tim Hightower, vs. SF
11. Matt Forte, vs. TEN
12. Chris Johnson, at CHI
13. Brandon Jacobs, at PHI
14. Marshawn Lynch, at NE
15. Michael Turner, vs. NO
16. Jamal Lewis, vs. DEN
17. Steven Jackson, at NYJ
18. Ray Rice, at HOU
19. Jonathan Stewart, at OAK
20. Joseph Addai, at PIT
21. Deuce McAllister, at ATL
22. Steve Slaton, vs. BAL
23. Kevin Faulk, vs. BUF
24. Jamaal Charles, at SD
25. LenDale White, at CHI
26. Kevin Smith, vs. JAX
27. Ryan Torain, at CLE
28. Ryan Grant, at MIN
29. LeRon McClain, at HOU
30. Leon Washington, vs. StL
31. Justin Fargas, vs. CAR
32. Jerious Norwood, vs. NO
33. Chester Taylor, vs. GB
34. Fred Taylor, at DET
35. Julius Jones, at MIA
- Thomas Jones has pieced together quality stat-lines for four straight weeks. The Rams, his opponent this week, sport a sieve where there should be a run defense. Even Leon Washington's a viable flex option in leagues with 12 or more teams where you have bye-week issues.
- The way to run the football against the Bears' stout run defense is to beat them with speed, not power. LenDale White will be stood straight up every time he tries to penetrate the strong middle, and the Titans' real chance to run the football lies in dynamic rookie Chris Johnson.
- Even if Steven Jackson plays, he'll be limited. The Jets are very strong against the run -- fourth in the NFL -- anyway, so he's not a great option this week. Still, if he plays, I suppose you have to start him. It's the old, "start your studs" theory.
- The Broncos haven't really attempted to establish the run all season. It baffles me, as so much attention is now being paid to Brandon Marshall they can't get him the ball on a regular basis. If Mike Shanahan wakes up anytime this week, he'll see the Browns have the 28th ranked run defense. Ryan Torain will be the man, and we'll see what he's got. That is assuming, of course, that Shanahan gives him more than five touches.
