Sit Clinton Portis? Week 14 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

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.

I'd strongly consider it.

You are playing for the big money -- your fantasy playoffs -- likely because you rode Clinton Portis as one of the few reliable first-rounders for much of the season. At one point, he was easily the best fantasy football player.

Currently, he's really banged up. There are back and knee woes he's dealing with, and he hasn't even practiced this week. Even if he does play Sunday, he's going into Baltimore to face the league's third-best run defense. If it weren't for Brandon Jacobs busting through their wall, the Ravens would only have allowed one rushing touchdown all season.

As you can see by the ranking (26, which was honestly a huge coincidence), I really don't trust him at all. Just imagine that is you in that picture (above right). You are saying, "hey man, I thank you for getting me here and all, but you are on the bench this week."

More notes after the rankings.

1. Adrian Peterson, at DET
2. Matt Forte, vs. JAX
3. Thomas Jones, at SF
4. Chris Johnson, vs. CLE
5. Steve Slaton, at GB
6. Michael Turner, at NO
7. Joseph Addai, vs. CIN
8. LaDanian Tomlinson, vs. OAK
9. Marshawn Lynch, vs. MIA
10. Brandon Jacobs, vs. PHI
11. Steven Jackson, at ARI
12. Brian Westbrook, at NYG
13. Frank Gore, vs. NYJ
14. DeAngelo Williams, vs. TB
15. Larry Johnson, at DEN
16. Peyton Hillis, vs. KC
17. Maurice Jones-Drew, at CHI
18. Marion Barber, at PIT
19. Ryan Grant, vs. HOU
20. Reggie Bush, vs. ATL
21. LenDale White, vs. CLE
22. Tim Hightower, vs. StL
23. Justin Fargas, at SD
24. Ronnie Brown, at BUF
25. Clinton Portis, at BAL
26. Kevin Smith, vs. MIN
27. Warrick Dunn, at CAR
28. Willie Parker, vs. DAL
29. LeRon McClain, vs. WAS
30. Cedric Benson, at IND
31. Pierre Thomas, vs. ATL
32. Sammy Morris, at SEA
33. Leon Washington, at SF
34. Chester Taylor, at DET
35. Brandon Jackson, vs. HOU
36. Jamal Lewis, at TEN
37. Derrick Ward, vs. PHI
38. Darren McFadden, at SD
39. Ricky Williams, at BUF
40. Dominic Rhodes, vs. CIN

- You know what's funny? You could play in a very competitive league, and still conceivably own our entire top five backs for this heading into your playoffs. If you do, I'm pretty sure you are among the best teams in the league.

- It's not near to the extent as my fear with Portis, but I'm scared of Marion Barber this week as well. He's banged up, and facing the top-ranked run defense in the NFL. Unlike the Ravens, these guys actually did stifle Jacobs. I'm putting Barber a bit higher than Portis because he's healthier. Still, he hasn't practiced ... this isn't good.

- I believe Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are going to split time as Bush continues to get himself right. Hence, there is no way to accurately predict who will come away with any touchdown opportunities. I like Bush better because of a natural progression of him taking back the job, but I could easily be wrong. Curb expectations for both.

- With Kevin Smith's ranking, I'm assuming the Williams boys for the Vikings are not going to play. If their attempt to appeal or injunct or whatever in the courts works, drastically downgrade Smith. In fact, don't bother playing him in any league. He's a good sleeper if they don't play. Hopefully we hear more details soon.

- Hail Mary sleeper? Sammy Morris. I believe he gets the lion's share of carries, and the Seahawks really suck. Unless the Pats decide to "rub it in" again, he'll get some work late in the game to keep the clock moving.