Featured writer Ben Ruppert highlights some RB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 5, and draws some matchup conclusions.

Below you will find our Week 5 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).

Featured writer Ben Ruppert also highlights some RB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 5, 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 5. You can also check out RotoBaller's overall player rankings here.

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Week 5 Running Backs - Rankings & Matchups Analysis

After a disappointing season with the Philadelphia Eagles, DeMarco Murray left via free agency and signed with the Titans. Running in a system that is much better for his skill set, he has become the top RB in PPR formats so far this season. Murray is rushing and catching a bunch of passes, and has continued to hold off rookie RB Derrick Henry. As long as he’s producing the Titans will use him in all situations. This week he draws the Dolphins, who have been OK at stopping the run, but have allowed 4.0 YPC to opposing backs. On the road in Miami, Murray will likely be the focal point of the offense once again, especially with Marcus Mariota struggling to throw the ball downfield.

C.J. Anderson draws a juicy matchup with the Falcons this week, who have been the worst against RBs fantasy-wise this season. While the matchup is fantastic, one thing that is troubling for CJA is his stumbling YPC rate. Anderson’s YPC from Weeks 1-to-4: 4.6, 3.7, 2.6, 2.5. During those games he hasn’t faced any really tough defenses either, so the drop is a bit concerning. I still expect him to be productive this week, but if the struggles continue expect to see some Devontae Booker sightings as well.

Devonta Freeman gets a nice boost in our rankings this week, even against a solid Broncos defense. The other side of this two-headed RB monster, Tevin Coleman, is going to play this weekend but will be heavily monitored due to a sickle-cell trait. Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that can be exacerbated in situations with low oxygen like Denver and its high altitude. Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark has the same trait, and ended up losing his gall bladder and spleen after a Denver game back in 2007. Coleman will need to tread extremely carefully. His limited play could mean great things for Freeman, who has run well this season.

Jordan Howard and Frank Gore meet in Indianapolis for what should be an interesting matchup. Both of these teams are 1-and-3 and need wins to keep their postseason hopes alive. Howard got his first real taste of starting RB action last week and responded as well as he could have, rushing 23 times for 111 yards. He looked better than Jeremy Langford looked through the first few weeks of action. Gore has been as consistent as it gets so far this season, averaging a YPC right around four each week while chipping in with a TD each of the past two weeks. Both of these backs will be solid plays this week.

The LA Rams welcome the Buffalo Bills into Los Angeles this week, but the Bills won’t be as welcoming on the field to RB Todd Gurley. Gurley put another game in the disappointing pile last week when he rushed 19 times for only 33 yards against the Cardinals. The week before, LeSean McCoy tore that defense up for 110 yards on 17 carries. This week he faces the Bills, who will be getting All-pro lineman Marcell Dareus back from suspension. Dareus will immediately be inserted back into the starting lineup, and will help improve an already solid defense. Last week they held LeGarrette Blount to only 54 yards on 13 carries, when it seemed like no team could stop the wrecking ball. I see this game going poorly for Gurley once again; his ranking on our list is too high.

Terrance West was finally given the starting role to himself last week and performed well, rushing for 113 yards on 21 carries with a TD. Even with this performance, head coach John Harbough was unwilling to commit to West being his starter moving forward even after the release of Justin Forsett. Why you ask? Rookie RB Kenneth Dixon. Dixon is set to make his NFL debut this week against the Redskins. He was the most electric RB on the roster during preseason and is expected to be eased into action. West will once again see some of his carries taken away. It will start slowly this week, with Dixon taking more as he earns them. West will be an OK play this week, but depending on how well Dixon does with his carries West’s window could surely close quickly.

The Browns most effective RB this season has surprisingly been Isaiah Crowell. After rushing for a mediocre 3.8 YPC last season, many (including myself) thought Duke Johnson would be the RB to own in Cleveland. Crowell has done very well this season, averaging 99 yards per game with three TDs in his first four games. His 6.5 YPC rate is unsustainable, but it is great to see him doing this well early in the season. This week the Browns face the Patriots at the worst possible time; Tom Brady is making his first start back from suspension. With the Browns expected to be beaten, we could see much more of Johnson than Crowell. However, the Patriots run defense has been only OK this season, nothing Crowell can’t conquer. While I don’t think he will have a great game, he is still too low on our rankings. I like him more this week than Matt Jones and Giovani Bernard at least.

Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings - Running Backs