There have been some early season surprises, while others have fallen well short of expectations.  Let’s see the implications in our current Week 3 rankings (these will be updated later in the week if any news necessitates it):

1. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Detroit
2. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Philadelphia
3. Ray Rice – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cleveland
4. Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans – at New York Giants
5. Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers – at Kansas City
6. Rashard Mendenhall – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Tampa Bay
7. Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons – at New Orleans
8. LeSean McCoy – Philadelphia Eagles – at Jacksonville
9. Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams – vs. Washington
10. Pierre Thomas – New Orleans Saints – vs. Atlanta
11. DeAngelo Williams – Carolina Panthers – vs. Cincinnati
12. Darren McFadden – Oakland Raiders – at Arizona
13. Knowshown Moreno – Denver Broncos – vs. Indianapolis
14. Cedric Benson – Cincinnati Bengals – at Carolina
15. Arian Foster – Houston Texans – vs. Dallas
16. Ahmad Bradshaw – New York Giants – vs. Tennessee
17. Ronnie Brown – Miami Dolphins – vs. New York Jets
18. Matt Forte – Chicago Bears – vs. Green Bay
19. Jahvid Best – Detroit Lions – at Minnesota
20. Tim Hightower – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Oakland
21. Clinton Portis – Washington Redskins – at St. Louis
22. Ryan Mathews – San Diego Chargers – at Seattle
23. Brandon Jackson – Green Bay Packers – at Chicago
24. Joseph Addai – Indianapolis Colts – at Denver
25. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. San Francisco
26. LaDanian Tomlinson – New York Jets – at Miami
27. Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers – vs. Cincinnati
28. Fred Taylor – New England Patriots – vs. Buffalo
29. Justin Forsett – Seattle Seahawks – vs. San Diego
30. Marion Barber – Dallas Cowboys – at Houston
31. Ricky Williams – Miami Dolphins – vs. New York Jets
32. Shonn Greene – New York Jets – at Miami
33. Thomas Jones – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. San Francisco
34. Peyton Hillis – Cleveland Browns – at Baltimore
35. Mike Tolbert – San Diego Chargers – at Seattle
36. Jason Snelling – Atlanta Falcons – at New Orleans
37. Felix Jones – Dallas Cowboys – at Houston
38. Reggie Bush – New Orleans Saints – vs. Atlanta (update: a broken leg will keep him out for six weeks, so he will be removed from the updated rankings)
39. Carnell Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Pittsburgh
40. Chester Taylor – Chicago Bears – vs. Green Bay

Thoughts:

• The Detroit Lions have allowed over 260 yards on the ground over the first two games of the season.  The Vikings are having problems with their passing game.  Is there any questioning what the game plan could be this week?  Look for Adrian Peterson early and often.
• I know the Giants got torched by the Colts running game (surprisingly), but that appeared to be their game plan.  They wanted to stop Peyton Manning, letting the Colts pick up chunks of yards on the ground.  While the game plan will change, don’t expect them to be able to stymie Chris Johnson like the Steelers did in Week 2.
• Arian Foster has certainly been impressive over the first two weeks of the season, though Week 2 was not quite up to the lofty Week 1 numbers (69 rushing yards, 69 receiving yards).  Of course, the Texans also went pass heavy against the Redskins, something they again could turn to against the Cowboys.  He’s a borderline RB1, as he should perform in the passing game, but I wouldn’t yet slide him into the Top 10.
• Even after the Redskins were torched by the Texans passing game, that’s just not a strategy the Rams have the ability to replicate.  Look for Steven Jackson to remain the epicenter of the offense.
• The Packers have been exposed by the running game (273 yards over the first two games), as teams try to keep the ball out of Aaron Rodgers’ hands.  Unfortunately, Matt Forte hasn’t gotten things going on the ground, with just 79 yards over the first two games (his big contributions have come in the passing game).  Continue considering him a RB2 at this point.
• Will the big game from Jason Snelling when Michael Turner went out with injury ultimately cut down on Turner’s carries?  Time will tell, but for now the early word is that Turner could’ve returned to the game if needed, so he shouldn’t be downgraded.
• Arizona has been one of the worst rushing defenses in the league, allowing 306 yards in the first two games (the bulk of that came in Week 2 with Snelling & Turner thrashing them for 204 yards combined).  With the way that Darren McFadden has been running over the competition (240 yards over the first two weeks), you have to think that he could have a big day.  Having not yet scored a rushing touchdown, either, you have to feel like he’s due.  He’s a top RB2 in all formats.
• Jahvid Best had a huge Week 2, but let’s keep our expectations tempered, especially with the Minnesota Vikings on the schedule this week.  Consider him a low-end RB2, or a FLEX option in all formats.
• Even in a blowout victory, the Colts allowed Ahmad Bradshaw to rush for 89 yards on 17 carries (an average of 5.2 yards/carry).  The Broncos are turning into a solid passing team, but Knowshon Moreno should also have a solid day on the ground.
• Jamaal Charles has had only 11 carries in each of the first two games this season.  Until Kansas City commits to him, it’s tough to consider him more then a low-end RB2, at best.
• Clinton Portis has a positive matchup, but is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry over the first two weeks of the season.  If he’s going to have a big day, now’s the time, with the Rams allowing 142.5 yards/game thus far this season.  Temper expectations, but consider him a RB2.
• Tim Hightower was impressive in Week 2 (115 yards on 11 carries), but down a large number of points makes it difficult to really gauge his success (though, 28 yards on six carries in the second half on the season shows that the Cardinals consistently get away from the run).  It’s hard to imagine them falling behind by that many to the Raiders, so look for Hightower to thrive.  Of course, a return of Beanie Wells could limit his upside potential, but for now it doesn’t appear like he’s ready.
• LaDanian Tomlinson has 138 yards on 22 carries.  Shonn Greene has 70 yards on 20 carries.  Who do you see as the more valuable back?  Either way, the even split means that both should be considered for nothing more then your FLEX spot, but Tomlinson is probably the better play, especially when you factor in his ability in the passing game.
• Will the Colts again go run heavy?  It’s tough to imagine them taking the ball out of Peyton Manning’s hands back-to-back weeks, but if the defense forces their hand there’s no reason to think that they won’t.  Still, it’s hard to trust Addai as a RB2, just in case, but they proved that they can run if given the opportunity.
• Peyton Hillis may not lead the Browns in carries, but he’s averaging 4.5 yards/carry and has 2 TDs (Jerome Harrison has yet to score and is averaging just 3.4 yards/carry).  At this point, Hillis should be viewed as the more valuable back.

Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 3 Rankings: