1. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals (TEN)

Bernard finds himself atop of this list once again as the Bengals host the Tennessee Titans who surrendered 220 total rush yards and a rushing touchdown to Dallas last week. Putting up an amazing performance last week will have Bernard’s owners anxiously waiting in anticipation to see how he performs against Tennessee.

Once again expect true RB1 fantasy points and a solid outing from Bernard in Week 3.

Projected Statistics: 95 rushing yards, 67 receiving yards, one touchdown

2. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (STL)

Starting to emerge as a true threat on the ground, is Murray, who ranks fourth overall among running backs this season. With a career high 29 carries last week, look for Murray to reward generously once again against St. Louis who allowed 28 rushing plays and 151 ground yards last week.

As long as Murray stays healthy, he can be relied upon as an RB1 in fantasy lineups moving forward.

Projected Statistics: 115 rushing yards, 8 receiving yards, one touchdown

3. Arian Foster, Houston Texans (NYG)

Foster and the Texans travel MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants in Week 3. Thus far, the Giants have generously allowed 194 rushing yards and two rushing scores to running backs not as elite as Foster. We should see plenty of fantasy points out of Foster who carried the ball 28 times and scored last week.

With Foster receiving so many carries and being one of the best offensive weapons the Texans have, owners of Foster can enjoy the liberal offering of fantasy points he keeps rewarding.

Projected Statistics: 112 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards, one touchdown

4. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (WAS)

McCoy and the Eagles host Washington in Week 3. While Washington’s defense has been surprisingly limiting to opposing running backs, McCoy is just too effective not to be able to bust through their secondary and make a major impact this week. Even with fellow back, Darren Sproles sharing opportunities on the field, there still seems to be plenty of work to handoff to Shady.

McCoy, coming off of 20 rush plays and a score last week should put up impressive numbers yet again in Week 3.

Projected Statistics: 88 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, one touchdown

#MNF was LeSean McCoy's 9th straight game with 100+ scrimmage yards, the best stretch in the @nfl. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/fUBgxbdBpt

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 16, 2014

5. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (NO)

Peterson and the Vikings play in New Orleans in Week 3, where the Saints have been more than gracious in the amount of total yards and scores they have allowed opposing running backs. Providing Peterson, who has been reactivated by the Vikings to play, suits up this weekend, he’ll be feisty and raring to put up a major performance. Look for a hefty dose of fantasy points against the New Orleans sixth-worst ranked rush defense.

Should the circumstances change for Peterson, and Matt Asiata is called to fill in, he as well, should be highly productive in New Orleans.

Projected Statistics: 75 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards, one touchdown

6. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ATL)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Atlanta Falcons for Thursday Night Football. Currently, the Falcons have allowed the most fantasy points, total yardage and scores to opposing running backs. Martin is questionable to play due to a knee injury, so his status will need to be monitored.  

If he plays, or the Buccaneers have Bobby Rainey step in, this matchup is just too tempting to pass up as Martin, or Rainey, should have their way with the Falcons’ flimsy ground patrol.

Projected Statistics: 89 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards, one touchdown

7. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills (SD)

Week 3 presents a home matchup against the San Diego Chargers who are the eighth worst team in defending running backs. Spiller showed off his stuff with an incredible 102-yard sprinting return last week in a win over Miami. If Spiller can display another burst of speed anything like this against the Chargers, fantasy owners will be in for a pleasant surprise in Week 3.

The opportunity for Spiller to explode for a huge outing exists against the Chargers’ sub-par rush defense in Week 3.

Projected Statistics: 82 rushing yards, 3 receiving yards, one touchdown

C.J Spiller takes it 102 yards to the house!

— NFL Access (@NFL_Access) September 14, 2014

8. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (DEN)

The Seattle Seahawks host the Denver Broncos in Week 3, where we should see “Beastmode” please his fantasy owners at home. Denver has allowed a substantial amount of rushing and receiving yards to running backs thus far in the season. Look for Lynch to catch some short-yardage passes and squeak in a rushing touchdown as Seattle tries to make up for last week’s disappointing loss to San Diego.

Projected Statistics: 54 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards, one touchdown

9. Joique Bell, Detroit Lions (GB)

Bell is listed among the top-10 this week due to his favorable matchup at home with the Green Bay Packers. Over their first two games, the Packers have let 217 rushing yards and three rush scores slip through their fingers. With Bell often being the Lions’ rushing workhorse, he could be on course for an increased rewarding of fantasy points, and a fabulous opportunity to haul in a rushing touchdown.

Projected Statistics: 70 rushing yards, four receiving yards, one touchdown

10. Montee Ball, Denver Broncos (SEA)

Ball and the Broncos are headed to Seattle in Week 3, looking to continue their 2-0 winning streak. Thus far in the season, the Seahawks have allowed an average of 23 rushing plays and 81 yards on the ground to running backs per week.

While the Seahawks’ defense appears to be off kilter, look for Ball to take advantage and rack up both some rushing and receiving yards to add to his fantasy value this week.

Projected Statistics: 72 rushing yards, 38 receiving yards, zero touchdowns

Other Mentionable Running Backs