Below you will find our Week 3 running back rankings, to help determine your RB starts/sits for this week, brought to you by Bill Dubiel (@Roto_Dubs), Nick Mariano (@NMariano53) and Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).

Lead columnist Bill Dubiel also highlights some RB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 3, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 3.

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Week 3 Running Backs - Rankings & Matchups Analysis

David Johnson will have no troubles dealing damage to the Bills run defense. Last week after the Jets got up in the game via the pass, they fed the ball to starting RB Matt Forte. He was able to run for 100 yards and three TDs. While it is likely he won’t match the TD total, Johnson will use his abilities as a rusher and receiver to have a huge Week 3.

Ezekiel Elliot dealt with some fumbling issues last week, but don’t let that deter you from starting him this week. Let’s get one thing straight: this backfield belongs to Zeke. Alfred Morris is an excellent complement and handcuff in fantasy, but this is really all Elliot’s territory. He faces Chicago this week, a unit who is missing some key defensive pieces due to injuries. Once the Cowboys get a lead, they will feed Elliot the ball leading to his best fantasy week of the season.

With the absence of Danny Woodhead, Melvin Gordon will take the reigns over in San Diego. If he wants to be effective this week at Indianapolis, he will need to improve on last season’s YPC number, which sat at 3.5. This season so far it has been up to 4.2, and this Colts defense has been porous against the rush averaging 125 yards per game against (fourth worst in the league). He will also have a better chance to improve on his 33 receptions last season. If Gordon can step his game up, he will be in line for not only a huge Week 3, but a top-five RB fantasy season.

Injuries hit the RB position hard so far in 2016. As injuries remove starters, we get to see what their backups can do. In come Theo Riddick and Charles Sims. It remains to be seen whether or not either of these backs can handle a full workload after being the primary receiving backs for their teams. Dwayne Washington and Jacquizz Rodgers will also be in the mix for carries, but both Riddick and Sims have great chances to produce with both starters facing multi-week absences. Especially in PPR formats, fire up both of these RBs expecting solid numbers.

Eddie Lacy has a great matchup against the Lions this week, who have averaged 5.1 yards per rush against so far in the young season. Detroit will be missing two of its three regular linebackers in this one due to injuries. The only thing holding Lacy back, is the Packers offense. Green Bay rushed with Lacy only 14 times in Week 1, and 12 times in Week 2 as Aaron Rodgers continues to fail to hit the 300-yard mark. The offense isn’t in sync right now, so it will be difficult for Lacy to capitalize on this great opportunity ahead of him. It is likely he has an OK game, but I would not expect anything spectacular.

Outside of a big 75-yard TD run last week, Isaiah Crowell looked OK at best against the Ravens rushing defense. This week against Miami things will be even more difficult. Not only will the Browns be forced to start their third string QB, but they lost their top young WR option in Corey Coleman, and the Dolphins boast a defensive line containing Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake, and Mario Williams. Crowell may seem like an appealing start looking at his stats from last week, but it’s shaping up to be a difficult matchup.

Jeremy Langford seems very close to losing the starting job all together in Chicago. Langford saw his snap count percentage decrease from Week 1 to Week 2 96% down to 60%. He came out against the Eagles and disappointed again, rushing for only 28 yards on 11 carries, while losing a fumble. Jordan Howard will likely be the benefactor if Langford continues losing carries, but with how poor the offensive line has been playing it may be tough for any RB to find success. The Cowboys present a good matchup, but Langford is still a very risky play.

Mark Ingram has yet to find his stride in 2016. He has only gained 88 yards on 21 attempts through two games. This week’s matchup with the Falcons will give Ingram a great chance to break through. The Falcons have allowed 122.5 rushing yards per game so far this season to the Raiders backfield and Doug Martin. With Brees opening up the passing game at home, Ingram will find running room in this one en route to a top-10 RB finish this week.

The schedule opens up over the next few weeks for Gurley, but this matchup with the Buccaneers will be another difficult one. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Bucs have done a nice job of limiting opposing RBs. They held Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman to 2.2 YPC in Week 1, and Chris and David Johnson to 3.5 YPC in Week 2. Gurley has only averaged 2.7 so far this season, as teams continue to stack the box with the lack of QB play on the Rams. Gurley will see another tough outing in Week 3, meaning owners will have to wait another week for his breakout game.

Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Back