Stars of Week 14

QB: Russell Wilson, SEA: 23-32, 292 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs

RB: Isaiah Crowell, CLE: 20 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs                   

WR: Ted Ginn Jr., CAR: 2 catches, 120 yards, 2 TDs

TE: Jordan Reed, WAS: 9 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD

Russell Wilson continued his historic run against the Ravens, further demonstrating what he can do when he has solid pass protection. Wilson’s production the last four games rival any similar stretch from a QB in NFL history. If you own Wilson, he should be in your weekly lineup. Isaiah Crowell has had a largely disappointing season – not that anyone was counting on him to do much. This was his first 100 plus yard output this season. We’ll take a closer look at him below. Ted Ginn Jr. blew the doors off the Atlanta Falcons secondary with two long bombs – we’ll look at Ginn below as well. Jordan Reed has been one of the best tight end stories. He’s got great chemistry with Kirk Cousins, and he has always produced when healthy. Reed’s a top 5 TE this season.

Week 14 Takeaways – A Closer Look 

Each week we’ll take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward.

- A.J. McCarron, QB – CIN: 22-32, 280 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs

Analysis: We unfortunately had lots of key injuries this weekend, including Andy Dalton with a fractured thumb. Dalton’s regular season is likely over. Backup A.J. McCarron did an admirable job filling in for Dalton, including hitting AJ Green for a long TD pass. Other than mop up duty, Sunday’s game was McCarron’s first real NFL game experience. His skill set is rather average, and combining this with his lack of experience in a more complicated offense, expectations for McCarron should be held in check. The good news is that he does have great weapons, so numbers should be far from disastrous. But as we’re into the heart of the fantasy football playoffs, look elsewhere if you find yourself needing a QB option. McCarron is a low end QB2 going forward.

- Isaiah Crowell, RB – CLE: 20 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs              

Analysis: It took Crowell only 13 contests to finally pass the 100 yard mark in a game this season. Pardon my sarcasm, but Crowell has enough tools and opportunity to be a meaningful RB for fantasy purposes. Why it hasn’t happened for him this season can be attributed to many things, including mediocre run blocking, the Browns being behind early in games, Crowell not being an extreme talent, etc. Crowell will take his high mark game into a tough Seattle run defense for next week. You should want no part of that matchup. Don’t let his performance against the 49ers fool you – Crowell remains a low end RB3, and should only be started if you’re pressed for options.

- Tim Hightower, RB – NO: 28 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD                                      

Analysis: Mark Ingram owners were dealt a huge blow last week when it was announced that he would miss the rest of the season. Tim Hightower, and not CJ Spiller, was the right guy to pick up. Hightower outcarried Spiller 28 to 3 against the Bucs, so the coaching staff will make sure that Hightower has plenty of volume. So that’s the good news. The bad news is that Hightower doesn’t possess nearly Ingram’s compliment of skills, and will need the high volume in order to put up meaningful stats. In addition, Hightower faces relatively stout run defenses the next two weeks in the Lions and the Jaguars, so he’ll have his work cut out for him. But Hightower is the main ball carrier for the Saints, and thus should be owned in all leagues. Look at Hightower as a high-end RB3/flex option going forward. 

- Ted Ginn Jr., WR – CAR: 2 catches, 120 yards, 2 TDs

Analysis: How’s this for efficiency – 2 catches, 2 TDs, 60 yard average? Ginn has always had the long game in his arsenal. Weekly consistency and short to mid-range game (which is needed to be consistent) has been his issue throughout his career. Ginn is in the midst of a career year, with 645 yards and 8 TDs at this point in the season, averaging more than 17 yards per catch. But going back to consistency issues, note that Ginn has had 7 games this season with 45 yards receiving or less and 7 games with 2 catches or less. So that’s the deal with Ginn – he has games where he shines, and others where you’re left holding the bag. Ginn should be viewed as a low end WR3, but as emphasized, one that comes with weekly risk.

- Sammy Watkins, WR – BUF: 5 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD

Analysis: Prior to Odell Beckham forging his way onto the national spotlight last season, it was Sammy Watkins who possessed the most intrigue from the WR group coming from the 2014 draft. Watkins has dealt with injuries and some QB uncertainty while with the Bills, although both issues appear to be in the rearview mirror. Watkins has picked it up in recent weeks, boasting a line of 16 catches, 348 yards and 4 TDs. Now that Watkins is truly healthy, look for him to continue his ascent into top WR status. Even the most talented young players often face an up-and-down stretch in the first few years, only to bust out as they gain experience. OBJ’s stardom upon arrival is the exception, not the rule. If you have Watkins, make sure he stays in your lineup – he’s a WR2 going forward.

Rapid Fire Pickups 

Each week we’ll throw out potential free agent pickups from each position for deeper leagues, in each case 1) someone who has NOT been referenced above, and 2) a player available in most leagues.

QB:                  Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA

RB:                  James White, NE

RB:                  Denard Robinson, JAX

WR:                 Willie Snead, NO

WR:                 Dorial Green-Beckham, TEN

TE:                  Zach Miller, CHI

Week 15 Rankings

Quarterbacks
1. Carson Palmer (@ PHI)
2. Cam Newton (@ NYG)
3. Russell Wilson (CLE)
4. Tom Brady (TEN)
5. Aaron Rodgers (@ OAK)
6. Drew Brees (DET)
7. Blake Bortles (ATL)
8. Matthew Stafford (@ NO)
9. Tyrod Taylor (@ WAS)
10. Ben Roethlisberger (DEN)
11. Ryan Fitzpatrick (@ DAL)
12. Derek Carr (GB)
13. Alex Smith (@ BAL)
14. Eli Manning (CAR)
15. Matt Ryan (@ JAX)
16. Marcus Mariota (@ NE)
17. Phillip Rivers (MIA)
18. Ryan Tannehill (@ SD)
19. Kirk Cousins (BUF)
20. Jameis Winston (@ STL)

Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson (CHI)
2. Todd Gurley (TB)
3. LeSean McCoy (@ WAS)
4. Doug Martin (@ STL)
5. Lamar Miller (@ SD)
6. DeAngelo Williams (DEN)
7. Chris Ivory (@ DAL)
8. David Johnson (@ PHI)
9. Devonta Freeman (@ JAX)
10. Eddie Lacy (@ OAK)
11. Matt Forte (@ MIN)
12. Denard Robinson (ATL)
13. Tim Hightower (DET)
14. Latavius Murray (GB)
15. Charcandrick West (@ BAL)
16. Jeremy Hill (@ SF)
17. Bryce Brown (CLE)
18. Shaun Draughn (CIN)
19. Darren McFadden (NYJ)
20. Frank Gore (HOU)
21. Javorius Allen (KC)
22. Brandon Bolden (TEN)
23. Ryan Mathews (ARZ)
24. Bryce Brown (SEA)
25. CJ Anderson (@ PIT)
26. Ameer Abdullah (@ NO)
27. Gio Bernard (@ SF)
28. Matt Jones (BUF)
29. Ronnie Hillman (@ PIT)
30. Darren Sproles (ARZ)
31. James White (TEN)
32. Fozzy Whittaker (@ NYG)
33. Jeremy Langford (@ MIN)
34. Danny Woodhead (MIA)
35. James Starks (@ OAK)
36. Melvin Gordon (MIA)
37. Chris Polk (@ IND)

Wide Receivers
1. DeAndre Hopkins (@ IND)
2. Julio Jones (@ JAX)
3. Odell Beckham (CAR)
4. Calvin Johnson (@ NO)
5. Antonio Brown (DEN)
6. Brandon Marshall (@ DAL)
7. Allen Robinson (ATL)
8. Alshon Jeffery (@ MIN)
9. AJ Green (@ SF)
10. Doug Baldwin (CLE)
11. Sammy Watkins (@ WAS)
12. Larry Fitzgerald (@ PHI)
13. Mike Evans (@ STL)
14. Demaryius Thomas (@ PIT)
15. Eric Decker (@ DAL)
16. Michael Crabtree (GB)
17. Jeremy Maclin (@ BAL)
18. Jarvis Landry (@ SD)
19. Brandin Cooks (DET)
20. Allen Hurns (ATL)
21. Michael Floyd (@ PHI)
22. Golden Tate (@ NO)
23. Randall Cobb (@ OAK)
24. Amari Cooper (GB)
25. John Brown (@ PHI)
26. Tyler Lockett (CLE)
27. Martavis Bryant (DEN)
28. Danny Amendola (TEN)
29. TY Hilton (HOU)
30. Kamar Aiken (KC)
31. Dez Bryant (NYJ)
32. Emmanuel Sanders (@ PIT)
33. DeSean Jackson (BUF)
34. Ted Ginn Jr. (@ NYG)
35. Jordan Matthews (ARZ)
36. Brandon LaFell (TEN)
37. Willie Snead (DET)
38. Travis Benjamin (@ SEA)
39. Marvin Jones (@ SF)
40. Stevie Johnson (MIA)
41. Anquan Boldin (CIN)
42. DeVante Parker (@ SD)
43. Donte Moncrief (HOU)
44. Tavon Austin (TB)
45. Dorial Green-Beckham (NE)

Tight End
1. Rob Gronkowski (TEN)
2. Greg Olsen (@ NYG)
3. Jordan Reed (BUF)
4. Delanie Walker (@ NE)
5. Gary Barnidge (@ SE)
6. Travis Kelce (@ BAL)
7. Julius Thomas (ATL)
8. Antonio Gates (MIA)
9. Tyler Eifert (@ SF)
10. Zach Miller (@ MIN)
11. Ben Watson (DET)
12. Richard Rodgers (@ OAK)
13. Austin Seferian-Jenkins (@ STL)
14. Heath Miller (DEN)
15. Eric Ebron (@ NO)
16. Jason Witten (NYJ)

Defense/Special Teams
1. Seattle Seahawks (CLE)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (@ BAL)
3. New England (TEN)
4. New York Jets (@ DAL)
5. Cincinnati Bengals (@ SF)
6. Carolina Panthers (@ NYG)
7. Arizona Cardinals (@ PHI)
8. Houston Texans (@ IND)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (DEN)
10. Denver Broncos (@ PIT)
11. St. Louis Rams (TB)
12. Minnesota Vikings (CHI)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ STL)
14. Buffalo Bills (@ WAS)
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (ATL)
16. Green Bay Packers (@ OAK)