Reviewing Week 13
Star Of Stars
QB: Andrew Luck – We’re looking at a historic crop of rookie QBs, and Luck brought his usual magic against the Lions on Sunday, throwing for 391 yards and four TDs (along with three INTs), including the game winning TD pass as time expired. Luck has exceeded the already high expectations set for him. As Luck continues to improve, look for him to enter the conversation of top NFL QB in the very near future, perhaps as early as next season.
RB: Adrian Peterson – Alright, All-Day has taken it upon himself to post silly numbers. Peterson ran for 210 yards and a TD on just 21 carries. These are video game numbers. With all due respect to Arian Foster, Peterson has sole possession of the title “best NFL running back.” As a fan, glad to see AD back to his pre-injury ways.
WR: Calvin Johnson – Megatron shares an important distinction with Adrian Peterson in that he’s the very best at his position. Johnson caught 13 passes for 171 yards and a TD against the Colts on Sunday. While his TDs for the season have been lower than expected, his yardage totals have been phenomenal. Remember that TDs are hard to predict, and Megatron’s season should be viewed as a roaring success.
TE: Heath Miller – Miller has had a nice rebound season, and has maintained strong numbers despite Roethlisberger’s injury. Miller had five catches for 97 yards and one TD against the Ravens on Sunday. Miller has played himself into TE1 status this season, and expect him to continue to put up starter caliber numbers for your playoff run.
Unforeseen Explosions
QB: Russell Wilson – Giving another nod to the impressive rookie QB class, as Russell Wilson had a masterful performance against the Bears, throwing for 293 yards and two TDs in the win against the Bears. Wilson has continued to improve each week, and has safely landed into QB2 status. The Seahawks remain a run-first team, so Wilson will not move into QB1 territory this season, but he’s a very strong play in case you need a fill-in QB during the playoff run. On the real-life scale, Seahawk fans have much to be excited about.
RB: Bryce Brown – For the second week in a row, we place Brown here. Brown's performance is not as unforeseen as last week (and if not for AP, he'd be the Star RB of the week), but we just wanted to make the point one more time that he's a must add if he happens to still be available in your league. Brown rushed for 169 yards and two TDs on 24 carries. With the playoffs starting in most fantasy leagues, if he's somehow available, go grab him now - he'll be very helpful to you the last few key weeks.
WR: Josh Gordon – Gordon made his way onto this spot earlier this season, and finds his way back here with a strong game against the Raiders. Gordon had six catches for 116 yards and one TD against the Raiders, and leads the Browns in TDs and receiving yards this season. Gordon has developed a nice rapport with Weeden, and should be considered a sleeper for 2013. As for the final games of this season, he should be viewed as a high end WR4 (and possible low end WR3).
TE: Brandon Myers – One of the few bright spots for the Raiders this season (along with Marcel Reece), Myers exploded for 130 yards off 14 catches, while also scoring one TD against the Browns. Myers leads the team in catches, and has evolved as Carson Palmer’s safety valve. Myers does have value as a high end TE2, and can fill in as a starting fantasy TE if needed.
Week 14 Rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Robert Griffin III
3. Peyton Manning
4. Tom Brady
5. Drew Brees
6. Matthew Stafford
7. Cam Newton
8. Andrew Luck
9. Matt Ryan
10. Josh Freeman
11. Eli Manning
12. Colin Kaepernick
13. Matt Schaub
14. Tony Romo
15. Andy Dalton
16. Russell Wilson
17. Carson Palmer
18. Joe Flacco
19. Sam Bradford
20. Chad Henne
Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Arian Foster
3. Trent Richardson
4. Doug Martin
5. Marshawn Lynch
6. Ray Rice
7. Alfred Morris
8. Bryce Brown
9. Ahmad Bradshaw
10. Jamaal Charles
11. C.J. Spiller
12. DeMarco Murray
13. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
14. Chris Johnson
15. Stevan Ridley
16. Matt Forte
17. Steven Jackson
18. Mikel Leshoure
19. Ryan Mathews
20. Michael Turner
21. Shonn Greene
22. Vick Ballard
23. Jonathan Dwyer
24. Darren Sproles
25. Shonn Greene
Wide Receivers
1. Calvin Johnson
2. A.J. Green
3. Demaryius Thomas
4. Dez Bryant
5. Andre Johnson
6. Brandon Marshall
7. Victor Cruz
8. Vincent Jackson
9. Wes Welker
10. Julio Jones
11. Hakeem Nicks
12. Randall Cobb
13. Roddy White
14. Reggie Wayne
15. Pierre Garcon
16. Marques Colston
17. T.Y. Hilton
18. Torrey Smith
19. Steve Smith
20. Greg Jennings
21. Lance Moore
22. Miles Austin
23. Michael Crabtree
24. Chris Givens
25. Danario Alexander
Tight Ends
1. Jimmy Graham
2. Jason Witten
3. Tony Gonzalez
4. Aaron Hernandez
5. Brandon Myers
6. Owen Daniels
7. Jermaine Gresham
8. Brandon Pettigrew
9. Vernon Davis
10. Heath Miller
11. Kyle Rudolph
12. Greg Olsen
13. Martellus Bennett
14. Jermichael Finley
15. Dallas Clark