Eye on the Prize: Week 15 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings

It's playoff time! FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled in order to provide answers to 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 can't say I ever thought we'd see this day.

Look at all the stud running backs, or even the quality running backs who don't split carries. Heading into this season, would anyone have ever thought the top running back in a week of the fantasy football playoffs was DeAngelo Williams? The same Williams who many thought would lose his job completely to Jonathan Stewart by now, or at least be splitting carries with him -- which he still kind of is.

He's just emerged as too much of a stud. The strength of the run defense doesn't matter, DeAngelo shredded the Tampa Bay Bucs, and he made it look easy.

The Denver Broncos have a terrible defense, and the Panthers are especially tough running the ball at home. There is not one player I'd start over Williams this week. Not a single one.

More notes after the rankings.

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

- As you can see by rankings number 22 and 39, I do not believe Brandon Jacobs is going to play this week. I expect Derrick Ward to get most carries, but Ahmad Bradshaw mixed in enough to be a low-end flex option in really deep leagues.

- I believe Frank Gore will be limited, to the point that DeShaun Foster gets enough touches to put up five to eight points or so.

- The Colts are facing the worst run defense in the NFL, but I have lost all faith in Joseph Addai. I can't continue to support him and watch him make me look stupid. Plus, he's hampered and may not even play. Dominic Rhodes is the better play, regardless, but if Addai sits out, I'd elevate Rhodes all the way up to No. 13 on the list.

- Reggie Bush is regaining the spring in his step, and he is exactly the type of guy who gives the Bears defense fits. He's so elusive they'll have trouble getting their mitts on him to gang-tackle, and he's liable to break a long one -- just like in the NFC Championship a few years ago.

- Fred Taylor is not going to be playing., so Maurice Jones-Drew gets a boost. I understand the Jags' offense is pretty stagnant right now, but the Packers defense has been pretty awful of late. I like MJD lots this week.

- Fingers crossed on Clinton Portis ...

[EDIT: When shuffling names and copying-and-pasting them back and forth, I accidentally omitted Marshawn Lynch in the original version. I have now plugged him in -- in bold -- where I would slot him. Thanks to "Erik" for the heads-up.]