Empty the Bench

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

I’m not expecting a Favre fade down the stretch. There’s really no reason to. Minnesota went on the road and ran into a tough defense playing at the top of their game. It happens. Despite my optimism, there’s a good chance you have a better option this week. The Cincinnati Bengals are a great defense, and they’re playing extremely well of late. The Bengals have held opposing QBs under 200 passing yards for five straight games and they’ve only allowed multiple touchdown passes twice.

On the other side of the ball, the Carson Palmer experiment is over for fantasy purposes. Shut it down. Since that 5 TD explosion against Chicago in Week 7, Palmer has been dismal despite facing fantasy-friendly defenses in Detroit, Cleveland, and Baltimore. There’s no reason to expect the former first-overall pick to bust out in Minnesota or at San Diego in the next two weeks, which means you should consider cutting bait on him if you already have a solid option for the championship game in Week 16. Palmer draws the weak Kansas City pass defense to finish the fantasy season, but again, the last two weeks he’s had Detroit and Cleveland and didn’t do anything with it.

It’s pretty difficult to have much faith in Joe Flacco right now. Since Baltimore’s Week 7 bye the second-year quarterback hasn’t thrown for more than 1 TD, totaling just 3 scores in those six weeks. And it’s not like he’s been throwing for 300 yards: he hasn’t done that since Week 6, either. Still, you can’t help but consider Flacco this week. He’s playing at home against the Detroit Lions, the NFL’s worst pass defense. I know we keep updating these totals weekly, but the Lions have now allowed an NFL-most in passing yards per game at 274.8 and passing TDs at 28. If you’ve been banking on guys like Jay Cutler, Eli Manning or Carson Palmer (and your team is still alive), it might be time to roll the dice on the big guy.

Vince Young has been surprisingly fantasy-useful the last two weeks against the solid defenses of Indianapolis and Arizona. With the Rams rolling into town this week he’s definitely a legitimate option.

See also:
- Week 14 RB Rankings
- Week 14 WR Rankings
- Week 14 TE Rankings
- Week 14 DEF Rankings

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints @ ATL
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts vs. DEN
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers @ CHI
4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. CAR
5. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers @ DAL
6. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans vs. SEA (Check Status)
7. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers @ CLE
8. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals @ SF
9. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles @ NYG
10. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys vs. SD
11. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings vs. CIN
12. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans vs. STL
13. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens vs. DET
14. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers vs. ARZ
15. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks @ HOU
16. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals @ MIN
17. Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. PHI
18. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. MIA
19. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins @ OAK
20. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins @ JAC
21. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. GB
22. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos @ IND

Brett Favre Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

The Arizona Cardinals defense looked stellar on Sunday night in keeping the Minnesota offense completely off balance. They’re a strong unit, but limiting TE Visanthe Shiancoe to just 2 receptions for 14 yards was a surprise. Shiancoe managed to turn one of those catches into a TD though, and on the season the Cards have been one of the most generous defenses to opposing TEs in the NFL. Expect the league’s best receiving TE, Vernon Davis, to keep rolling.

On a similar note, the Eagles have boasted a stout passing defense all season, but they’ve given up the most fantasy points in the NFL to tight ends. A big part of that is Philadelphia is such a blitz-heavy team. They put too much pressure on the quarterback to give him the time to deliver it downfield and he ends up dumping off to the TE often. That makes Giants end Kevin Boss a fringe option this week – though still not a reliable one given his inconsistency even with 4 TDs in the last five games.

Jason Witten hasn’t scored since Week 2 despite playing in every game. It’s been an incredibly disappointing streak. Still, he’s had at least 5 receptions in each of the past five weeks and posted his best game of the season last week with 14 receptions for 156 yards. You should roll with him once again; the best way to attack the Chargers is by grinding it out with the running game and the short-passing game.

Fred Davis has been a great late-season fantasy story, propelling some teams into the postseason with his 9 receptions, 96 yards and 2 TDs the last two weeks. He’ll find the row tough to hoe this week in Oakland against the only team yet to allow a touchdown to a TE. However, the passing attack has been much improved under new “offensive consultant” Sherman Lewis, and QB Jason Campbell is looking for Davis. Unless you have another TE1, you can roll with him.

See also:
- Week 14 QB Rankings
- Week 14 RB Rankings
- Week 14 WR Rankings
- Week 14 DEF Rankings

1. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers vs. ARI
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers @ DAL
3. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts vs. DEN
4. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys vs. SD
5. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers @ CLE
6. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons vs. NO
7. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles @ NYG
8. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers @ CHI
9. Fred Davis, Washington Redskins @ OAK
10. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings vs. CIN
11. Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Bucs vs. NYJ
12. Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens vs. DET
13. Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears vs. GB
14. Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans vs. STL
15. Dustin Keller, New York Jets @ TB
16. Kevin Boss, New York Giants vs. PHI
17. Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints @ ATL
18. Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders vs. WAS
19. John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks @ HOU
20. Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots vs. CAR

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

The Ravens have not played as well as expected this season, but they’ve also had an extremely difficult schedule. That schedule gives them a repreive this week with the Lions rolling into town, but I don’t expect Baltimore’s defense to take the week off. Far from it: in this must-win game they should come out inspired.

The Ravens offense should be able to spot them a lead, their rush defense is still elite, and Kevin Smith has hard enough time generating yards on the ground as it is. That means Daunte Culpepper, stepping in for the injured Matthew Stafford, will be forced to throw all day. I fully expect Baltimore to tee off, making them an elite option win Week 14.

The Green Bay Packers were most impressive on Monday Night Football. This is a complete unit that is really gelling right now. They’re opportunistic, can take away the opponent’s best option, and don’t have any glaring weaknesses despite a couple of big injuries. This week they head into Chicago and face off against the quarterback who shares the NFL interceptions lead with Matthew Stafford at 20. On the ground, the Bears offensive line and RB Matt Forte are a complete mess. There’s no reason not to expect big things out of the Pack DEF on Sunday.

See also:
- Week 14 QB Rankings
- Week 14 RB Rankings
- Week 14 WR Rankings
- Week 14 TE Rankings

1. Baltimore Ravens vs. DET
2. Green Bay Packers @ CHI
3. Pittsburgh Steelers @ CLE
4. New Orleans Saints @ ATL
5. Minnesota Vikings vs. CIN
6. New York Jets @ TB
7. New England Patriots vs. CAR
8. Arizona Cardinals @ SF
9. Tennessee Titans vs. STL
10. Philadelphia Eagles @ NYG
11. San Diego Chargers @ DAL
12. Indianapolis Colts vs. DEN
13. Tampa Bay Bucs vs. NYJ
14. Buffalo Bills @ KC
15. Washington Redskins @ OAK
16. Miami Dolphins @ JAC
17. Oakland Raiders vs. WAS

Ed Reed Photo Credit: Icon SMI

By Brian Spencer

You’re starting to hear more about the maturing, improving Oklahoma City Thunder (11-9, 8th best in the West), and deservedly so. We’re fans. But there’s another cellar dweller from last year that warrants pause, attention, and a place under the national spotlight too.

Young, scrappy, rough around the edges, and absolutely brimming with hope and potential: you need to check out these Sacramento Kings.

Well, actually, if you’re not a League Pass subscriber, don’t live in the greater Sacramento area, or don’t want to bother looking for safe streams online (ahem), there’s only one more chance this entire season to catch them: on ESPN a week from tonight at 10:30pm. Meanwhile, you’ll have 19 more opportunities to watch the stalwart poster boys of drab basketball, the San Antonio Spurs, on national television between now and mid-April. Nine. Teen. Go figure.

The Kings. We’re more and more impressed with each passing game. We already knew these kids were alright, but I’m starting to think they’re more than alright. That they could still realistically be in playoff contention come April. There’s a lot to like here, even in a tough loss like Tuesday night in New Orleans, which they dropped by 2 points, 96-94, after Andres Nocioni choked at the free-throw line with 1.1 seconds left. (He bricked the first one, and was then called for a lane violation after stepping into the lane too early on his second shot, which he was trying to miss. Hornets color announcer Gil McGregor: “One toe over the line, sweet Jesus.”)

Jason Thompson, the spry 6-11 power forward with All-Star potential, fouled out with 3:42 left, but not before hanging 20 points and 9 boards on the Hornets. Third-year center Spencer Hawes (still only 21 years old) was solid in the middle, the role players chipped in, and your 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans, again shouldered the load and almost single-handedly won the game on the road.

With the Hornets stretching the lead to 6 points with under 2 minutes left, Evans took over, scoring 9 consecutive points for the Kings, including a steal and a 3-point play on a drive to the hole that all at once showcased Evans’ strength, size, speed, and confidence. He’s the team’s difference maker now. It’s his team, already, and he’s embracing the moment with subdued swagger. He finished with 25 points, 9 assists, 5 boards, and 1 steal, and has now scored at least 20 points in 13 of his first 18 games in the NBA (12 of his last 14). At the moment, Evans has a cakewalk to the ROY honor. Says Sactown Royalty scribe Tom Ziller: “There’s no need to wrap Evans in a tortilla, or cover him in cheese. I can just say TYREKE EVANS and people all across the world will know just what the ufck I’m talking about.”

Tonight, his late-game heroics came up short, and the Kings fell to 9-11. It would have been a nice win, but it’s only one game of what’s going to be an ongoing learning process for a franchise that’s well on its way to digging itself out of the rebuilding rubble from the past few seasons. Evans, Thompson, Hawes, Donte Greene, Omar Casspi… they’re on the right track. A shame most people won’t have the chance to see this work in progress continue to iron out the kinks.

Tyreke Evans Photo Credit: Icon SMI

By Brian Spencer

Chris Douglas-Roberts, GF, New Jersey Nets

With the Nets currently on pace to finish with a record of 4-78, there’s little to cheer about in Jersey this season (shocker!). Most of the players on this roster know they’re expiring-contract stopgaps who won’t be asked to return next season, but cocky second-year swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts is making his case as a long-term fixture in the Nets’ brighter future.

At times CDR reminds me of a poor man’s Paul Pierce: a rangy 6-7 guard brimming with confidence who’s as comfortable putting the ball on the floor as he is launching it from outside, and who plays good-not-great defense but has the skills to get better (like Pierce did early in his career). The Nets’ second-round pick in ’08 was upset about falling out of the first round on draft day and vowed to make those who passed on him regret it, and right now it’s hard to argue with his contempt; he’s outplaying many of the guys taken ahead of him and, though hindsight is always 20/20, arguably should have been a lottery pick.

Now, most players in the NBA are capable of putting up nice boxscores when given the burn, and obviously CDR’s contributions haven’t yet translated to wins. Numbers can be deceiving. Still, I like what I’ve seen in the few Nets games I’ve masochistically sat through: he’s not afraid to make mistakes, has a nice stroke on his jumper, and has the look of a guy who can take and make big shots down the road when the Nets actually have them to be taken. Through 17 games, CDR is averaging 16.9 points (up from 4.9 in his rookie season) on 46% shooting, 4.7 boards, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals in 36:30 a night.

Carl Landry, FC, Houston Rockets

The Rockets desperately needed somebody, anybody, to step up and fill the considerable frontcourt void left by the absence of Yao Ming (injury) and the retirement of Dikembe Mutombo. They brought 29-year-old David Andersen over from Europe (he’s the team’s tallest player at 6-11), and… that’s it, at least for now. With the lack of size in the middle seemingly compounded by the loss of Ron Artest to LA, most predicted doom and gloom in Houston this year, but so far GM Daryl Morey’s pack of hard-working tweeners is defying expectations and positioning themselves to at least be in the playoffs conversation.

It’s been a team effort, but credit 6-9 forward Carl Landry as one of the most significant pieces of this overachieving puzzle in Houston.

Now in his third season after being taken at the top of the second round in the 2007 NBA Draft, Landry is proving size doesn’t always matter and has hustled, banged, and scored his way into early Sixth Man of the Year contention. After scoring 20+ points in five of his last eight games, Landry has nudged his points per to 16.3 (7 more than last year, despite averaging just 4 more minutes), and is doing so on just under 57% shooting. That makes him the team’s third-leading scorer behind Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks (and by the way, of the team’s top-five scorers only Brooks was a first-round pick, and he was taken 26th overall at that).

Let’s also not forget that Landry is tough as shit: he solidered through Game 3 of his team’s first-round matchup with the Jazz in ’08 despite losing a tooth (later draining the game-winner), and last season returned to the court just a few weeks after being in a car accident and getting shot in the leg by one of the dudes who hit his car.

Diamonds in the rough in Golden State, Milwaukee, and Memphis after the break…

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By Zachariah Blott

I swear I planned on writing a version of this story before Greg Oden broke his kneecap on Saturday night. Since the oft-injured gentle giant went down yet again, the focus obviously has to be slanted more toward him, but there are enough other issues brewing in Portland to worry all those experts who picked the Trail Blazers as their darkhorse Western Conference champion (that would be everyone) and expected them to be in the Championship discussion for a while (same group).

Right before the injury, Portland had lost three games in a row in convincing fashion, all to teams that had much worse records; then they went to New York and stunk up the Garden in an ugly loss to the Knicks. They’ve looked out-of-sync for a while, so it’s finally time to figure out what’s wrong with Nate McMillan’s talented club because this isn’t the point at which people planned on exiting the bandwagon.

1. Greg Oden’s body won’t let him be the next Bill Russell: First it was a torn wrist ligament in high school that caused him to miss a month of college ball. Then it was the wrist not healing, a bulging disk in his back, an “off” hip alignment, a right leg that’s one inch longer than the left, and the rumor of at least one NBA team’s doctor having concerns about the long-term health of his knees. All of these issues existed before he was even drafted in 2007.

Since then? A tonsillectomy took him out of the Vegas summer league, that infamous microfracture surgery delayed his rookie season, a foot strain on opening night of his new rookie season caused him to miss two weeks, and he banged knees with Corey Maggette in February, chipping his knee cap, keeping him out of 15 contests. That brings us up to Saturday. In his 82nd career game, Oden went down with a broken knee cap, which will wipe out the remainder of what should be his third NBA season.

Greg Oden Photo Credit: Icon SMI

How big is this loss to the Blazers? GO was rebounding 21.3 percent of all missed shots while he was on the floor, just a hair behind league-leader Dwight Howard’s 21.5. He was blocking 7.2 percent of opponents’ shots while he was on the floor, well ahead of everyone, even Denver’s Chris Andersen. He was one of only four players in the NBA shooting over 60% from the field, and he was also connecting on 77% of his free throws. Sure, Oden was still figuring out how to stay out of foul trouble, but the same was true of Shaquille O’Neal 82 games into his career. There is no question that Oden had an extremely high ceiling as a dominant defensive force, and the team just had a meeting a week ago that stressed getting him more touches because he’s such an efficient scorer.

At this point, there have been so many ailments limiting his playing time that one can no longer write them off as fluke injuries unconnected to the others. Unfortunately, his talent is immense, but he now appears to be damaged goods. The loss of a defensive stopper in the middle who can fill up the hoop with ease is obviously tremendous.

Two more reasons the wheels have come off and what to do about it, after the jump …

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By Zachariah Blott

With a quarter of the 2009-10 season already behind us, the Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns have shown marked improvement compared to last year. Although only one of these teams could suddenly be considered a world-beater (Phoenix), the other two are hanging around .500 after finishing last in their divisions a season ago (Milwaukee, Sacramento).

Let’s take a look at how each of them has done it.

Sacramento Kings

2008-2009 Record: 17-65
2009-2010 Record: 9-9

Sacramento signed head coach Paul Westphal this past summer, ending his eight year hiatus from coaching in the league (he had an unspectacular 73-62 record with Pepperdine from 2001-2006). So far, so good, as their offense and defense are both significantly improved. They surrendered an NBA worst 114.7 points per 100 possessions last year, which they’ve dropped to 109.2 this year. Statistically they’ve done better keeping the ball out of their hoop by making opponents’ shoot 46% from the field (was 48%) and grabbing 72% of possible defensive rebounds (70%).

Young big men Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes are doing their part by blocking 2.5 shots per between them and pulling down over 16 boards per. Rookie G Tyreke Evans has used his considerable size (6-6, 220) and speed to pester opposing ball handlers, and fellow rookie 6-9 Omri Casspi is a jack-of-all-trades on the defensive side.

The offense has taken a similar quantum leap. They now score 109.2 points per 100 possessions one year after logging a league near-worst 105.5. They’re hitting shots at a 47% clip (was 45%), including 39% of their triples (37%). Possibly even more important than the better shooting is what’s happening on the offensive glass. Sacramento is collecting 30% of missed shots (25%), primarily due to the jump Thompson and Hawes have shown in their play, along with rookie fireplug (6-7, 255) Jon Brockman’s 1.7 orpg in only 10 mpg. Evans has energized the offense with explosive drives, and PG Beno Udrih is shooting lights out (54% FG, 44% 3FG) and has always been a 2:1 A/TO rate distributor.

Don’t forget that SG Kevin Martin was averaging 31 ppg through 5 games before breaking his wrist; he should be back in early 2010. It remains to be seen how well this young team readjusts to Martin’s presence once he returns… and to what degree Martin makes the overall team better.

Milwaukee Bucks

2008-2009 Record: 34-48
2009-2010 Record: 9-9

The Bucks’ improvement is much more one-dimensional than the Kings, which is why their increased winning percentage hasn’t been as extreme. With Richard Jefferson’s scoring gone to the Spurs, and unspectacular but super-efficient PG Ramon Sessions gone to Minnesota (where he’s shooting 51% and nearly leading the Wolves in assists – might be time to start him, Mr. Rambis), Milwaukee’s Offensive Rating has taken a dip from 106.7 to 104.2. New coach Scott Skiles has the defense in order, however.

The Defensive Rating improved from a pedestrian 107.9 a year ago to 103.4, one of the NBA’s best this season. Although the Bucks’ are forcing turnovers on an amazing 16% of their opponents’ possessions (league average is just under 14%), this is the same amount as last year. Their defensive rebounding and three-pt defense have really stepped up, though.

Bigs Andrew Bogut, Ersan Ilyasova (returning to the NBA after 2 years in Spain), and Hakim Warrick (new to the Bucks) are combining for 22 boards per. On the perimeter, SG Charlie Bell is a tough defender who consistently forces opponents into bad shots, with Luke Ridnour (slow but smart), Brandon Jennings (fast but often lost), Carlos Delfino (athletic by Argentinian standards), and the roving Ilyasova chipping in to make things difficult for shooters. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the great defense provided by little-known C Dan Gadzuric off the bench.

Looking at the Phoenix Suns’ early-season improvements after the break…

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By Zachariah Blott

In reality, the top 10 stories of any decade are the 10 champions, but I’m looking at stories beyond that. Stories that carried on for a long time, carried a sign of changing times, or carried into the news world outside of NBA fans. Here are 10 from the 00′s you probably remember or should remember.

10. Mandatory Dress Code: On the heels of the Pistons-Pacers brawl and various other image problems for the league (e.g. The Jail Blazers, Allen Iverson), Commissioner David Stern implemented a dress code in 2005 for all NBA players before and after games, on the bench while injured, and at press conferences. Players are supposed to wear a suit or sport coat at such times, and are banned from donning t-shirts, jeans, Timberland style boots, and large jewelry.

9. #8 Beats #1: The eighth-seeded Warriors took out the West’s top seed, Dallas Mavericks, 4-2 in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. Behind a frantic, up-tempo style of play that came to be known as Nellie Ball after Head Coach Don Nelson, Golden State became the first #8 seed to knock off a #1 in a best-of-seven series.

8. Lakers’ Three-peat: Head Coach Phil Jackson joined the Lakers in 1999, and LA promptly went on to win the first three Championships of the decade. Behind dominant performances by Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and a cast of phenomenal role players, the new Showtime started the decade by reeling off the NBA’s first three-peat since Jordan’s Bulls.

7. Kobe Bryant’s 81: On January 22, 2006, Bryant dropped 81 points on the Raptors while leading the Lakers to a 122-104 victory. At the half Bryant had notched “just” 26 points and his team trailed 63-49. Then Kobe went to work. The effort ranks as the second-most points ever in a contest, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s epic 100-point performance in 1962. Bryant hit 28 of 46 shots—including 7 of 13 threes—and 18 of 20 free throws.

6. First Openly Gay Player: Four years after his retirement, John Amaechi became the first NBA player to announce that he was gay during a February, 2007 interview. Later that year he published “Man in The Middle,” a book about his career as a closeted player. Many current and retired players expressed their thoughts, most famously Tim Hardaway’s “I wouldn’t want him on my team … I don’t think he should be in the locker room when we’re in the locker room … it’s going to be hard for your teammates to win and accept him as a teammate.” Hardaway later apologized.

Stories five through one, after the jump …

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Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

You just can’t trust the Seattle Seahawks passing game right now. Matt Hasselbeck has only tossed 2 TDs in the last month, and it’s killing the fantasy value of Nate Burleson and TJ Houshmandzadeh. The ‘Hawks should have been able to pass all over the Rams in Week 12, but managed 0 TDs and just 102 yards though the air on 25 passes, which works out to a cringe-inducing 4.1 yards-per-attempt. It’s a real shame, too, because we know these two can play. San Francisco has given up the fifth-most passing yards in the NFL this year at 256.5 per, but the bend-but-don’t-break unit has only given up 11 receiving TDs thus far. They might do it, but it’s hard to count on either Seattle wide receiver scoring.

In that same matchup, Alex Smith sure has looked comfortable in the spread offense, hasn’t he? At least, more comfortable than NFL observers have ever seen him. Smith and Michael Crabtree have developed a nice rapport, with the rookie wide receiver grabbing 26 passes for 346 yards and TD in his first 6 games as a pro. Seattle has allowed a large 20 receiving TDs on the season, and we like the rook’s chances of scoring in this divisional matchup.

They’ve fallen off slightly since leading the NFL in pass defense earlier in the year, but it still seems weird to me that the Giants have allowed 18 receiving TDs despite giving up just 182.6 yards a game through the air. Still, in Week 2 the G-Men certainly had Tony Romo’s number as the Dallas QB finished 13-for-29 with just 127 passing yards and 1 TD against 3 INTs. Roy Williams belongs on your bench, and expectations must be tempered for Miles Austin.

Despite lofty expectations for the 6-5 receiver after Chris Chambers was cut, Malcolm Floyd has been pretty quiet in San Diego. He’s yet to top 4 catches in a game this season, but still the big man perpetually seems on the cusp of big things. He keeps coming so close. Last week Floyd was robbed of a TD when erroneously called down inside the 5 after a 53-yard catch, and he’s now 6th in the NFL in receptions of 40+ yards. He’s talented, and this passing game is potent. It’s hard to endorse a guy with such little production thus far, but I can’t help but feel like a breakout game is coming at some point. This week in Cleveland is as good a time as any.

Your Weekly Darrelle Revis Alert: Downgrade Terrell Owens.

See also:
- Week 13 QB Rankings
- Week 13 RB Rankings
- Week 13 TE Rankings
- Week 13 DEF Rankings

1. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
2. Randy Moss, New England Patriots @ MIA
3. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans @ JAX
4. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers @ CLE
5. Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
6. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. MIN
7. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals vs. DET
8. Wes Welker, New England Patriots @ MIA
10. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints @ WSH
11. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles @ ATL (Check Status)
12. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
9. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys @ NYG
13. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons vs. PHI
14. Steve Smith, New York Giants vs. DAL
15. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
16. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos @ KC

WR rankings 17 through 43, after the jump…

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Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

The MVP race is overloaded with worthy QB candidates this season, but after the Saints’ Monday Night mauling of the New England Patriots, it’s just about time to whittle this down to a three-man competition. Tom Brady, it’s nice that you’re back, but you’re officially out of the discussion.

I can’t remember the last time a Brady-led Patriots team was humbled like they were at the Superdome… and in primetime, nonetheless. We were (literally) betting on the Saints’ unbeaten streak ending at 10, but outside of RB Laurence Maroney, very few Patriots bothered to show up.

Not Brady (who played timidly, repeatedly missed open receivers, and was squeezed all night by impressive Saints’ DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith), not Randy “Mr. Monday Night” Moss (3 catches, 67 yards), and certainly not the porous secondary. Somebody teach those guys how to tackle.

But enough about the Pats’ disappointing performance: the Saints’ 38-17 laugher was just as much about what they did as what the Patriots didn’t do. The defense, decimated by injuries, rose to the occasion and held the league’s second- or third-best offense well below its per-game averages for points and total yards. (Can Mike McKenzie and Chris McAlister keep that up?)

As well as that unit played, however, it was Drew Brees and his cadre of interchangeable weapons that stole the show: Brees became the first QB to ever throw for 5 TD passes against a Bill Belichick-coached team, and finished with an eye-popping box of 18-23 for 371 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs, and just one taken sack. That’s an average of over 20 yards per completion (!). He calmly spread the ball around to 7 different receivers, and has now thrown TD passes to 10 of his teammates so far with five more games to go.

Insane.

When it’s all said and done, though, will Brees win out over Brett Favre and Peyton Manning? What if none of their teams lose another game, with the Saints and Colts finishing undefeated and the Vikings with just one blemish on their record? Right now our vote goes to Favre, but this MVP race is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent history.

See also:
- Week 13 RB Rankings
- Week 13 WR Rankings
- Week 13 TE Rankings
- Week 13 DEF Rankings

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints @ WSH
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
3. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers @ CLE
4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots @ MIA
5. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
6. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals vs. DET
7. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans @ JAX
8. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
10. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles @ ATL
11. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys @ NYG
12. Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. DAL
13. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos @ KC
14. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans @ IND
15. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens @ GB
16. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. HOU
17. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. STL
18. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks vs. SF
19. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Bucs @ CAR
20. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers @ SEA
21. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions @ CIN
22. Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals vs. MIN (We’re assuming Warner is out.)
23. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins vs. NO

Drew Brees’ Head Photo Credit: Icon SMI