Mr. Fantasy's Focus on Running Backs: Week 12

Thanksgiving Day came just in time for fantasy owners in desperate need of a win this week.

First off, if you have Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Calvin Johnson or Miles Austin going, you're off to a good start thanks mostly to the fantasy-friendly Lions and Cowboys defenses.

But like so many other times this season, winning or losing this week could come down to your running backs. So you'd be wise to reconsider your lineup decisions.

Remember what we learned Thursday: You've got to be smart about your choices.

Two - and only two - backs proved fantasy-worthy Thursday: BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Maurice Morris. Here's hoping your opponent made the mistake of going with Jahvid Best, Marion Barber, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shonn Greene or Cedric Benson.

Trust me: There will be more Green-Ellises out there Sunday and Monday. And they really shouldn't be hard to find.

Just look for unique circumstances - such as playing a defense like Detroit's.

Here are five guys I'd surely go with ahead of the same ol' underachievers who have put you in this must-win predicament in the first place:

* Brandon Jacobs, Giants. He's spent a majority of the season watching Ahmad Bradshaw, but that should change this week. He's been named the started against one of the league's worst run defenses. All of a sudden, he's a gold mine.

* Ronnie Brown, Dolphins. Look at the brick walls he's run into since Opening Day: Vikings, Jets, Patriots, Packers, Steelers, Bengals, Ravens, Titans, Bears. Summing up: That's five matchups with the top seven rushing defenses, without ever getting a crack at one in the bottom 10. Well, that's about to change with this week's trip to Oakland. Talk about a vacation. I know you soured on Brown long ago, but don't hate the player, hate the schedule. He's worthy of one more chance.

* Keiland Williams, Redskins. I probably don't have to tell you about this guy, but perhaps you're confused after hearing about Clinton Portis' return last week. Well, that was short-lived. He got hurt again, and Ryan Torain is still hurting, which reopens the door for Williams against a Vikings club that appears to have thrown in the towel. You've got to play this guy this week if you have him.

* Mike Hart, Colts. Before getting hurt, Hart had moved past Donald Brown on the depth chart. And now that Hart is healthy, he returns to that spot. He should get a majority of the touches this week against the Chargers in what should be a very high-scoring game. That's the type of situation you can trust.

* Isaac Redman, Steelers. OK, this is the ultimate longshot, but it sure beats counting upon the likes of Marshawn Lynch or Ryan Mathews. With a big showdown at Baltimore up next, the Steelers aren't going to waste any time getting Rashard Mendenhall out of the game once they take command. And that should be early. If Redman gets 10 carries, he could put up some decent numbers against this defense.

For all of Mr. Fantasy's running back ratings, check out www.mrfantasy.com.