It is do-or-die week for many of us playing fantasy football. You will not get any reprieve's or be able to come back next week following a loss here. Instead, it's one and done for us who were lucky enough to make the playoffs. For those of you in leagues that have not yet started the second season, this week is equally as important. 

There is no more important position at this time of the year than running back. Some of the top flight performers at the start of the season such as: Darren McFadden, LeSean McCoy and Maurice Jones-Drew are no longer viable options due to a combination of injury and ineffectiveness. 

This means that some of you have had to get creative. After all, if you selected one of those relatively high you probably waited until round four or five to pick up another running back. That's why I am here to help you. While most of the players listed below are obvious RB1 options, there are some who could act as a savior to your season. 

Let's take a look....

Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants

Since starting out the season relatively slowly, Bradshaw has put up some great numbers over the last two months. He is averaging 12.2 fantasy points since missing the Giants Week 3 win over the Carolina Panthers. While Bradshaw is clearly a top flight RB2 option, you can expect him to put up top five numbers this week against a 32nd ranked New Orleans Saints rush defense. 

After all, the injury-prone running back has tallied over 230 yards and 29.5 fantasy points in his last two outings against much better run defenses in the form of the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. I am expecting a performance upwards towards 20 points on Sunday Night Football. 

C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo finally got the two-man running back show going last week against a weak Tennessee Titans defense. Spiller and Johnson combined for over 200 total yards and 26 fantasy points. If, by the off chance, you have both on your fantasy roster don't hesitate going with this tandem. While neither will give you RB1 production, you can expect a solid RB2 and FLEX combination here. 

The Bills are taking on a St. Louis Rams rush defense that may rank in the top half of the league. That statistic is a bit misleading, however. St. Louis has yielded an average of over 140 rushing yards in its last five games. Look for Spiller and Jackson to match their Week 13 output with an additional touchdown mixed in. 

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Lynch has been battling back problems, which seems to have affected his performance to an extent over the last couple weeks. He is averaging less than 10 fantasy points since Seattle's Week 11 bye. Again, it does seem that the No. 6 overall fantasy running back if prepared to shoulder the load and is back at near full health. 

Seattle is going up against a 24th ranked Arizona Cardinals rush defense that has given up over 160 yards in the ground in five of their last seven games. Additionally, Russell Wilson will make it easier on Lynch as Arizona won't be able to stack the box against the run. A good mix between run and pass will give Lynch some huge holes to run through. I am looking at 140-plus total yards and at least one score. 

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This rookie first-round pick from Boise State has stalled somewhat in his last four games. By stalling I mean that he hasn't averaged over 34 fantasy points like he did in a three-game stretch earlier this season. Instead, Martin is putting up 14 points per outing in those four games. Amazingly enough, that still ranks him fifth amung running backs during that span. 

Tampa Bay should have an easy time on the ground against the Philadelphia Eagles, who have given up over 100 yards on the ground in each of their eight consecutive losses. I fully expect Martin to compile close to 20 fantasy points this week. 

Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons 

Turner has been nowhere near a sure bet when it comes to fantasy football. In fact, he hasn't even been a reliable RB2 option in the last four weeks. Turner is, however, a surprising 14th among running backs in fantasy production this season. In what has been a continuing theme for this veteran back', he just seems to fly under-the-radar. 

Atlanta is lucky enough to take on a Carolina Panthers rush defense that has stumbled big time this season. They rank 25th against the run and have yielded an average of 176 rushing yards in their last three games. Couple that with the fact that Carolina ranks eighth against the pass and you have something brewing here for Turner. I am expecting over 100 yards and a score. Still, don't rely on him as a top flight RB1 option this week. Do what has been working in the past. 

Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns

If you are looking for consistency, Richardson is your man. He has put up a minimum 13.6 fantasy points in each of his last five games; talk about production. What holds him back from being considered one of the top RB1 options is the fact that Richardson has only put up over 20 fantasy points in one game this season. That was against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. 

Cleveland's opponent this week, the Kansas City Chiefs, are 26th against the run and have given up nearly five yards per rush this season. I am expecting offensive coordinator Brad Childress to utilize Richardson early and often against this lackluster unit in order to setup the play-action for rookie Brandon Weeden. Look for over 120 total yards and as score from the No. 5 overall fantasy back'. 

Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

The inclusion of Gore on this list has less to do with his matchup against the Miami Dolphins and more to do with the logistics as they relate to the 49ers. As you already know, Kendall Hunter is out for the season. This leaves Brandon Jacobs and LaMichael James as Gore's two primary backups. Additionally, it has to be expected that offensive coordinator Greg Roman is going to find some balance with inexperienced Colin Kaepernick under center once again. 

Though Miami does rank seventh against the run this season, it has given up over 100 rushing yards in five of its last seven games after not yielding more than 93 in any of its first five games. Gore will tally triple-digit rushing yards and at least one score this Sunday. 

Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts 

Donald Brown is most likely going to miss Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, who rank 27th against the run and has given up over 140 yards on the ground seven different times this season. As an under-the-radar FLEX option, Ballard could be a boon for those who decide to implant him into their lineup. Even in a part-time role, Ballard has tallied over 10 fantasy points in four of his last seven games. 

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings 

If I need to recommend that you start Peterson this week, I am pretty sure you don't deserve to play fantasy football. The future Hall of Fame running back has been ridiculous this season. He is currently on pace for nearly 2,000 rushing yards and has tallied over 21 fantasy points in four of his last six games. 

While Minnesota is taking on a 24th ranked Chicago Bears rush defens, I don't think it really matters. Look for another 20 point output from No. 28 on Sunday.