Fantasy Football: Week 6 Running Back Rankings

MIAMI, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Backups and rookies are running wild in NFL backfields this season.

With the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking a break for Week 6 byes, the running back pool is still overflowing.

I have ranked my top 30 running backs for Week 6 for your viewing pleasure. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson has cooled down since the first two weeks of the season, but I expect a big rebound in Week 6 against the San Diego Chargers. Anderson, who has 293 yards and three scores on 84 carries, gets a Chargers defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs. Anderson should be a steady RB1. Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller also is primed for RB1 production with a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Miller is No. 4 in the NFL with 101 carries, despite already having his bye week. He should score his first touchdown of the year in this game against a Colts defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs. The Colts have allowed at least 100 yards to the position in four of its five games this season.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Christine Michael went into the Seattle Seahawks' bye week after scoring three touchdowns in his previous two contests. The Seahawks will employ its home-field advantage against an Atlanta Falcons defense allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs. Michael is averaging 95 yards from scrimmage in his last three games and has a very high floor. I expect RB1 production for the top-8 play. This is the week for the Kansas City Chiefs to see what Jamaal Charles is capable of after returning from injury. The Chiefs travel for a divisional matchup against the Oakland Raiders. This season, the Raiders are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Charles had just two carries in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs' Week 5 bye gave the team a chance to get Charles more involved in its offensive game plan, potentially giving Charles a shot at top-10 production.

LONGSHOTS

If Jonathan Stewart returns this weekend for the Carolina Panthers, he should run all over the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are the worst defense against running backs this season in terms of fantasy points allowed. The unit has allowed a league-high nine touchdowns to the position. Stewart is an RB2 for Week 6. Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews is another RB2 this week with a matchup against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins are allowing the third-most fantasy points to running backs through five weeks. Despite not eclipsing 100 yards from scrimmage in any game so far, Mathews has scored four times.