Fantasy Football: Week 9 Running Back Rankings

MIAMI, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- You are either elated or nervous that names like David Johnson, Lamar Miller, Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Jordan Howard, and others won't be in Week 9 fantasy football team lineups.

Not seeing the names of those players, or members of the New England Patriots and Washington Redskins, means that you need to do some adjusting to your lineup or could have an easier shot at a victory, due to your opponent's misfortune. In either case, you need to pay attention to your lineup and your opponent's lineup in order to get closer to a Week 9 win.

Here are my top 30 running backs for the week. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

Tennessee Titans workhorse DeMarco Murray has three 100-yard rushing performances in his last four games. He also has eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage in six times of eight games this season. I rank Murray as the No. 3 running back this week with a matchup against the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns for allowing the second-most [10] rushing touchdowns to running backs this season. Murray has been limited in practice this week, but is expected to suit up. I expect a bounce back game for Mark Ingram this week against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Ingram's Week 8 fumble sent him to the New Orleans Saints' bench, but he should earn back his bell cow role with a huge game against this bad run defense.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Carlos Hyde looks like he will return from a shoulder injury and play in the 49ers' matchup against the Saints. Hyde has 429 yards and six rushing touchdowns on 109 carries this season. The Saints trail only the 49ers on the list of the league's worst defenses against fantasy football running backs. The Saints have also allowed a league-high 11 touchdowns to the position. With Colin Kaepernick under center, I expect Chip Kelly to give a plethora of carries to Hyde to chew up clock and limit turnovers. Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael is trying to keep his grasp on the starting job as Thomas Rawls sits out with a fibula injury. Michael has been scoring consistently this season, with 446 rushing yards and five scores on 107 carries. He also has a receiving touchdown. He should have a good shot to score again here against a Buffalo Bills defense allowing the third-most rushing touchdowns to running backs.

LONGSHOTS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running backs have been quite successful this season, despite the unit being decimated by injuries. Antone Smith is booked for a big workload following the injuries of Doug Martin and backup Jacquizz Rodgers. Smith should put up RB2 production against the Atlanta Falcons, a unit giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs. The Falcons have also allowed seven rushing scores to the position this season. If Smith is still available in your league, scoop him up. Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise could have another big week behind Michael. Prosise is a flex play in larger leagues against the Bills. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said that the rookie speedster will be more involved in the offense down the stretch. I expect Prosise to have a role very similar to the one he had last week against the Saints, when he piled up 103 yards from scrimmage on eight touches. Prosise is looking like a very useful option for a somewhat gimpy Russell Wilson, especially on third downs. If Prosise's involvement continues to escalate, he could approach RB2 territory in PPR formats.