I might have running backs on the brain: Seven of my nine choices below are RBs. Good luck

SMART STARTS
Matt Forte, RB, Bears: I don’t know if Forte turned a corner last week — though he scored two touchdowns, his average per carry was somewhat weak — but he has a good matchup at home against the Cardinals. He should at least sustain last week’s performance.

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Grant gets a good matchup against the Buccaneers, and after Aaron Rodgers got a little beat up against the Vikings last week, the Packers might be inclined to run the ball more. Expect Grant to top 100 yards and score a touchdown.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Backfield-mate Ahmad Bradshaw isn’t 100 percent, quarterback Eli Manning seems rattled, and the Giants host the Chargers, who let Justin Fargas have a decent game last week. If the Giants rely on Jacobs a lot, he might turn in his best game of the season.

SLEEPER ALERT
Kevin Walter, WR, Texans: Walter has fallen off the radar in recent weeks, but with tight Owen Daniels out for the season, he might find himself back in Matt Schaub’s mix.

Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: Yep, I can’t believe I calling Jones a sleeper, but Seattle is at home against the Lions and their terrible run defense. He could turn in a big week.

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: OK, this is the week you start Smith … maybe? Brett Favre is the only good fantasy QB on bye, so Smith will start in most leagues only if an owner is stuck with another second-tier quarterback as his starter. That said, Smith was solid last week against a good Colts defense, and he draws the porous pass defense of Tennessee this week.

BENCHWARMERS
Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: I have a hunch Washington will be passing most of the game just to keep up with Atlanta. Add the fact the Redskins generally stink — thus, I think Portis isn’t a good play.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: The rookie will face his biggest test against the Pittsburgh defense on Monday night. This is another game in which the underdog (Denver, in my book) will be passing to keep up, and don’t be surprised if Correll Buckhalter splits carries a little more than usual this week.

Ryan Moats, RB, Texans: Moats was a popular free-agent pickup this week after his impressive game against the Bills in relief of the bumbling Steve Slaton. Even if Slaton doesn’t return to full-time duty, surely he’ll split carries with Moats, who simply isn’t a week-to-week fantasy starter (and definitely isn’t one in Houston). Moats is maybe a low-end RB3 against the Colts, but there are other low-end RB3s more worthy of taking a chance on.