1. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (NO)
Murray is expertly getting the job done for Dallas so far, averaging over 127 rush yards per game, with three rushing touchdown scores. He and the Cowboys host New Orleans in Week 4, who have allowed two rushing and one receiving score and a total of 407 yards escape to running backs this season.
There’s no reason to believe Murray’s streak will slow down this week in a home game that presents a friendly matchup to his position. Look for Murray to go off the charts and to reward RB1 fantasy points once again to your team.
Projected Statistics: 120 rushing yards, 28 receiving yards, one touchdown
2. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (TB)
Bell, while only finding the end zone just once this season, has been a beast on the field piling up the rushing yards and fantasy points for his owners. It might be time for Bell to score this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom the Steelers host at home in Week 4. Tampa Bay couldn’t do much to stop Atlanta’s running backs last week, allowing two touchdowns and 122 rushing yards.
Bell is really breaking out this season, averaging an incredible 5.9 yards per carry. Going wild last week against Carolina’s stouter defense should have Bell nearly unstoppable at home against the Buccaneers.
Projected Statistics: 115 rushing yards, 9 receiving yards, one touchdown
3. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears (GB)
Green Bay doesn’t exactly do a stellar job in stopping the run game and they currently rank ninth-worst in this department. Forte has yet to really bust out a major game or score for that matter, however this should all change at home in Week 4 against the Packers.
Allowing four rushing touchdowns and a total of 414 total yards to running backs over three games, Forte, being a one-man running back show for Chicago should see plenty of opportunity to melt through Green Bay’s lagging secondary and offer up his first touchdown score of the season, along with racking up some sweet yardage.
Projected Statistics: 64 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards, one touchdown
4. Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins (OAK)
Miller, while scoring just once this season, has been dashing around averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He gets a wonderful matchup against the Oakland Raiders who’ve allowed 97 rushing plays, 441 rushing yards and three total touchdowns to running backs thus far.
Finally crossing the 100-yard mark against Kansas City last week, look for Miller to have another fine outing against Oakland’s seventh-worst ranked defense. Week 4 should see plenty of yardage and a score for Miller to reward his fantasy owners this Sunday.
Projected Statistics: 90 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, one touchdown
5. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City (NE)
At this time, Charles is questionable to play, however with an extra day to heal and prepare for a Week 4 Monday Night Football matchup at home against New England, could be just what the doctor ordered. If he suits up, Charles an awesome outlook against the Patriots who currently rank in the bottom 11 in stopping the run.
Charles should be able to tally up some yardage and score as New England has allowed two receiving scores so far to running backs. If Charles isn’t able to play or is limited Monday night, backup running backs Knile Davis and Joe McKnight have been than capable of picking up the slack left by Charles and have been scoring like crazy in his absence. Monitor Charles as he practices and if he is plays, it should be a productive night for him.
Projected Statistics: 70 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards, one touchdown
6. Donald Brown, San Diego Chargers (JAC)
Week 4 has San Diego hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars where Brown should be able to fully take advantage of the Jag’s awful ranking rush defense. Thus far, the Jaguars, who can’t manage to stop anyone, have allowed five running back scores and well over 500 total yards to the position.
Brown should have plenty of opportunity to tally up some vast yards for his fantasy owners and land in the end zone, meaning fantasy points galore in Week 4.
Projected Statistics: 67 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards, one touchdown
7. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills (HOU)
Spiller and the Bills travel for a Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans. The Texans are currently allowing an average of 124 rushing yards per game to opposing running backs, so this is where Spiller should have no problem offering his fantasy owners some long running plays.
Those worried about Fred Jackson, shouldn’t be as he typically is lined up to accumulate the receiving yards for which Houston has only allowed 46 of in three games. Spiller looks to have the superior outlook for Week 4, where he may just earn fantasy owners his first rushing score.
Projected Statistics: 88 rushing yards, 8 receiving yards, one touchdown
8. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins (NYG)
Morris hasn’t cracked the 100-yard mark yet, but his production has been consistent and he’s averaged 83 yards per game this season. Over three games, the New York Giants have surrendered an average of 91 rushing yards to running backs.
Look for Morris to keep on course with his numbers and add a rushing score to his Week 4 performance, rewarding his fantasy owners generously in this Thursday Night Football performance.
Projected Statistics: 90 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards, one touchdown.
9. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (SF)
McCoy has been off to a bit of a rocky start, and had a brutal week against Washington last Sunday. Week 4 presents a softer matchup in San Francisco where McCoy should be able to re-gain some ground, so to speak once again.
The 49ers have allowed just one rushing score, however McCoy is one of the best and should be able to bust some runs through the 49ers’ secondary who have allowed a total of 277 yards to running backs. Look for McCoy to rebound and reward much better fantasy numbers that he dumped on his fantasy owners last week.
Projected Statistics: 75 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, one touchdown
10. Matt Asiata, Minnesota Vikings (ATL)
Since coming onto the scene, Asiata hasn’t been too impressive. However, a game at home against the Atlanta Falcons, who’ve let’s running backs bulldoze all over them, and score five touchdowns along the way, could make Asiata a sneaky play this week.
The Falcons have generously given up over 550 total rushing and receiving yards combined in three games. Week 4 has Asiata ranking as a mid-range RB2, however, don’t be surprised if he exceeds these projections and brings those who start him RB1 numbers this week.
Projected Statistics: 55 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, one touchdown.
Other Mentionable 'Backs | Player | Opponent |
| 11. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers | CHI |
| 12. Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts | TEN |
| 13. Rashad Jennings, Washington Redskins | NYG |
| 14. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills | HOU |
| 15. Khiry Robinson, New Orleans Saints | DAL |
| 16. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders | MIA |
| 17. Shonn Greene, Tennessee Titans | IND |
| 18. Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions | NYJ |
| 19. Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts | TEN |
| 20. Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons | MIN |
| 21. Chris Ivory, New York Jets | DET |
| 22, Arian Foster, Houston Texans | BUF |
| 23. Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots | KC |
| 24. LeGarrette Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers | TB |
| 25. Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons | MIN |
| 26. Joique Bell, Detroit Lions | NYJ |
| 27. Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles | SF |
| 28. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints | DAL |
| 29. Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore Ravens | CAR |
| 30. Toby Gerhart, Jacksonville Jaguars | SD |