Fantasy Fox: Top 50 running backs for Week 1

By foxsports
Published

Here are my top 50 running backs for Week 1, citing standard-scoring leagues only.

This countdown doesn't lean on a particular stat. It's merely an educated best guess of which rushers will tally the best combination of total yards and touchdowns for the NFL's opening weekend.

Regardless of how these rankings shake out every week, it shouldn't supersede two important factors that go into regular lineup consideration:

1. Always play your healthy superstars.

1. LeSean McCoy (2,146 total yards, 11 TDs last year) is one of the easiest elite-level calls for the week, even with his limited experience against the Jaguars.

Of his last four regular-season home outings (2010-13), Shady boasts stellar averages of 160 total yards and 1.5 touchdowns; and of his last three season openers, McCoy has stealthily averaged 154 total yards and one TD.

2. It's a shame Vegas doesn't take bets on the following promise:

Matt Forte and C.J. Spiller will end up as this weekend's most prolific rushing pair -- from the same game. Last year, the Chicago and Buffalo rush defenses finished 32nd and 28th overall, with each team surrendering at least 130 grounds yard per game. Yikes!

As a bonus, Forte has averaged 143 total yards and 1.3 TDs in his last four season openers.

3. Something has to give in Sunday's matchup in St. Louis:

The Rams ranked 9th in rush defense last year (104 yards allowed per game) ... but Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson has been a certifiable fantasy monster against NFC West foes, averaging 143 total yards and 1.3 touchdowns in his last nine outings against the NFL's toughest division.

And that includes a 65-yard, zero-TD, uh, clunker against Seattle last November.

4. It's kind of weird that Frank Gore, entering his 10th NFL season, has only played at Dallas once and never inside the cavernous Jerry World. But those scheduling quirks take a backseat to the Cowboys owning the NFL's worst defense last year, allowing a staggering 415 total yards per game.

Plus, of his last eight season openers (2006-13), Gore has racked up seven total TDs in that span.

5. Sure, Chris Johnson (six consecutive seasons of 1,400-plus total yards) looks odd in Jets garb, but there are reasons for Week 1 optimism:

a) Of his two career outings against the Raiders, Johnson averaged 116 total yards and one TD.

b) For Weeks 13-17 last year, Oakland's defense allowed 127.4 rushing yards per game.

c) Of his last seven games of 17 or more touches, Johnson holds rock-solid averages of 107 total yards and 0.86 touchdowns.

Jay Clemons, the 2008 Fantasy Football Writer of the Year (Fantasy Sports Writers Association), can be reached via Twitter, day or night, at @FOX_JayClemons.