Packers RB Ryan Grant had a breakout fantasy effort against the woeful Browns last Sunday (27-148-1). It was his first 100-yard day this season and included a season-high 37-yard run. In the first game against the Vikings, whom he faces this Sunday, he averaged 4.6 yards but had only 11 carries.

"Fantasy Flavor of the Week" Beanie Wells could very well have some fun this Sunday at the expense of Carolina's 26th-ranked run defense. Wells opened a lot of eyes on a national stage against the Giants last Sunday night with 14 carries for 67 yards and a 13-yard TD run, his first of the season. But when Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was asked this week if Wells would begin starting over Tim Hightower, Whisenhunt said, "It's not going to happen — yet."

Keep tabs on Colts RB Donald Brown's left shoulder, which has been keeping him out of practices the first part of the week. The rookie had two carries for a career-best 58 yards last week, including a 45-yard gain on his first carry of game. RB Joseph Addai had 20-64-1 rushing in that one and should be in line to see added work against the 49ers this week if Brown is sidelined.

We keep saying it every week, but this Sunday against a weak Detroit defense could be the first game that Rams RB Steven Jackson finally scores a touchdown. Jackson is certainly doing well enough in the yardage department. He rushed for a season-high 134 yards on 23 carries against the Colts last week, has three 100-yard rushing games and is one pace to run for 1,451 yards.

It's suddenly very hard to get a fantasy grip on Niners RB Frank Gore, whose role might be diminished with the Niners possibly switching to a more pass-oriented offense with Alex Smith under center. Gore does face a Colts defense this Sunday that allowed Rams RB Steven Jackson to pick up considerable yardage last week

We know it's tempting, but don't completely give up on Bears RB Matt Forté just yet, even though he ran for 30 or fewer yards for the third game this season against the Bengals last Sunday. It's worth noting that the Bears pretty much abandoned the run against Cincy after falling behind 31-zip. It's also worth noting that Forté faces a Cleveland run defense this Sunday that is ranked 31st and got ripped to shreds by Packers RB Ryan Grant last Sunday.

One would think Seahawks RB Julius Jones would love to make up for his terrible game last year vs. Dallas this Sunday against his former team. Jones has been a fantasy non-factor after an encouraging start to the season, but he's more than capable of catching fantasy lightning in a bottle.

Falcons RB Michael Turner just hasn't been as effective as he was last season, but keep him in your lineup this week vs. the Saints. New Orleans has been stingy, holding teams to only one run of longer than 40 yards thus far, but it's given up eight rushing TDs. Only six teams have allowed more.

Owners will need to temper expectations for Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart this week. Carolina will travel to Arizona and meet a Cardinals' run defense that is the stingiest in the league. The team is yielding just 67.5 yards per game on the ground and has only given up three rushing TDs. The two backs will get a good amount of carries, but the Cardinals should know what's coming and sell out vs. the run.

Just when it looked like Pierre Thomas had locked up the lead-back role for the Saints, Mike Bell took the majority of the carries last week, rushing 12 times to Thomas' eight. It looks like neither player will be a fantasy lock from week-to-week, as the Saints aren't going to rely on just one of them each game. In leagues of 12 teams or more, both players are worth considering as New Orleans hosts Atlanta, which is allowing 4.6 yards per carry. Don't expect a barrage of TDs, though, as the Falcons' defense tends to clamp down in the red zone and has given up only three rushing scores.

The Ravens' run defense isn't as dominant as it once was, but it's still ranked a respectable seventh in the league. Knowshon Moreno is only averaging 3.8 yards per carry and has scored just two TDs. Use an alternative to Moreno if you can this week, as he could struggle vs. Baltimore.

Raiders RB Darren McFadden (knee) will not play this week and word is he may not be ready to return even after Oakland's bye in Week Nine.

Ronnie Brown scored two TDs when the Dolphins met the Jets back in Week Five, but he was held to 74 yards on 21 carries. He should have an easier time finding running lanes this time against Rex Ryan's defense, as it's without run-stuffing NT Kris Jenkins. Brown should be in lineups against the Jets' 22nd-ranked run "D," and No. 2 RB Ricky Williams is worth a start in leagues of 12 teams or more. He gained 138 yards from scrimmage vs. the Jets in their first meeting.

He probably isn't available in many leagues at this point, but owners looking for help at running back should pick up the Jets' Shonn Greene if they can. Greene moved up a notch on the depth chart after Leon Washington was lost for the season in Week Seven, and he should see a good chunk of carries each week in relief of Thomas Jones. Greene does, however, face a tough matchup against the Dolphins' fourth-ranked run "D" this week.

Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw's ankle has kept him out of practice, and he visited an orthopedic specialist for it. He already is in the doghouse for his play on Sunday night in which he missed a protection that got Eli Manning sacked, was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and fumbled on a crucial play in which he was trying to gain extra yards. The Giants won't punish Bradshaw if he's able to play necessarily, but his ankle should give you pause. Make sure you check the Sunday injury reports before putting him in your lineup.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook will be a game-time decision following the concussion he suffered Monday night at Washington. We probably won't know if he'll play until 90 minutes prior to game time.

The Bengals gashed the Bears' run defense last week, so Browns RB Jamal Lewis might be a decent bye-week flex option. The Bears have surrendered six rushing TDs.

The Jaguars have been tough vs. the run, but Titans RB Chris Johnson racked up 83 yards on only 16 carries in his first meeting with Jacksonville, and he's averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per carry on the season. The Titans may be struggling collectively, but Johnson is quietly having a monster year. He is on pace to rush for close to 1,600 yards.

Ravens RB Ray Rice has been very good in the passing game all season, and look for him to get plenty of work out of the backfield against a Denver defense with a robust pass rush. One of the best ways to counter pressure is the screen pass, and you can bet offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will be finding ways to get the ball into Rice's hands with blockers in front of him.

Bills RB Marshawn Lynch has outproduced backfield mate Fred Jackson in each of the past three games, although neither of them has been anywhere near prolific. That could change this week against a Texans run defense that's improving but has still allowed 4.7 yards per carry and 10 rushing scores this season. Lynch is definitely worth having in your lineup, while Jackson is only a viable option in deep leagues.