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