Empty the Bench

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

Joseph Addai is not having a good year. Frankly, he’s playing badly. On the season Addai is averaging just 3.7 yards a carry and 6.3 yards per reception, both of which are quite poor. That may come as a shock to his fantasy owners, though. After all, he’s put up the fifth-most fantasy points among running backs in ETB’s scoring format. And if he can keep rolling like that, fantasy owners won’t care about the paltry per-touch averages. Addai’s production has been a product of his sheer volume of opportunities on a great offense. He’s among the NFL leaders in red-zone opportunities, he’s caught 43 passes, and he’s even tossed a TD. As long as he keeps getting so many opportunities and holds off the more talented (yet apparently injury-prone) Donald Brown, he’s a great option in fantasy – even if he’s the second-best RB on his real-life team.

I know Jerome Harrison busted out for 97 total yards, 7 receptions and 2 TDs last week – but do you really want to be counting on a Cleveland Brown to advance in the fantasy playoffs? I mean, if you’re desperate you have to, but keep in mind this offense is putting up just 12.1 points a game. That’s not a big pie you’re carving a slice of, even if the Pittsburgh defense looks like a completely different animal sans Troy Polamalu, who could be donezo for the season.

Owners of Michael Turner will want to monitor Atlanta Falcons news closely in the coming days. We don’t think he’ll play and haven’t ranked him, but apparently the Falcons are more optimistic. If he does play Turner is worth a start against a sagging New Orleans rush defense. If he doesn’t play neither Jason Snelling nor Jerious Norwood are strong options with Chris Redman under center. Then again, there’s a chance Matt Ryan plays this week – if injured offensive linemen Sam Baker and Harvey Dahl suit up. It’s all very confusing and mired in contingencies. Unless definitive news breaks soon I think owners are best off just leaving all Falcons out of the starting lineup, except for Roddy White and Tony Gonzo.

The Ravens have only given up 6 rushing TDs to running backs on the season and are coming off a performance in Lambeau in which they held Ryan Grant to just 41 rushing yards on 18 carries (2.3 YPC) despite trailing all night. The Lions are going to be playing from behind, and I’m sitting Kevin Smith this week if I can help it.

See also:
- Week 14 QB Ranks
- Week 14 WR Ranks
- Week 14 TE Ranks
- Week 14 DEF Ranks

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans vs. STL
2. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens vs. DET
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. MIA
4. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers @ CLE
5. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams @ TEN
6. Thomas Jones, New York Jets @ TB
7. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings vs. CIN
8. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers vs. ARZ
9. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs vs. BUF
10. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts vs. DEN
11. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins @ JAC
12. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills @ KC
13. Cedric Benson, Cincinatti Bengals @ MIN
14. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers @ NE (Check Status)
15. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints @ ATL
16. Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos @ IND

Running back rankings 17 through 40, after the jump…

Read the rest of this article »

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

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

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

With playoff berths and seeding on the line this week in most fantasy leagues, now’s not time to get overly cute with your starting lineup: stick with the horses that have gotten you here (unless they’re injured, of course) and ride them to the end.

Example: last week was the first time all year that I left Jason Witten on my bench. His production has been way down, I don’t particularly have much faith in Tony Romo, and Green Bay Packers TE Jermichael Finley was there for the taking on waivers. Healthy and getting more and more looks by the week, Finley seemed like a lock to go off against the Paper Lions secondary on Thanksgiving Day. I went with his upside over Witten’s proven fantasy track record.

Maybe that was the right play on paper, maybe not, but in the end it was the wrong play: Finley was somehow limited to just 3 catches for 25 yards, while Witten turned his best performance of the year with 5 catches for 107 yards. He didn’t score, and has still only done so once this year (thanks for that, guy), but he’s going back into the fray from here on out. No more being cute.

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

1. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers @ CLE
3. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers @ SEA
4. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys @ NYG
5. Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Bucs @ CAR
6. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
7. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons vs. PHI
8. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
9. Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears vs. STL
10. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles @ ATL
11. Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints @ WSH
12. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
13. Dustin Keller, New York Jets @ BUF
14. John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks vs. SF
15. Kevin Boss, New York Giants vs. DAL
16. Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders @ PIT
17. Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos @ KC
18. Fred Davis, Washington Redskins vs. NO
19. Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
20. Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots @ MIA

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

It took the Bills entirely too long to realize that Fred Jackson is their best option in the backfield. Hopefully it’s not a case of too little, too late for those of you who drafted him. Marshawn and his absurd grill are the brand name, and we were generally fond of the Cal product in his rookie year. But it’s been a long time seen we’ve seen him in Beast Mode, and in the interim the less-excitingly-named, grill-less Fred has clearly emerged as the superior talent. Dick Jauron force-fed Lynch 90 carries this season, but he’s only managed to convert them into 278 yards (3.1 YPC, yuck) and 1 TD with 3 fumbles.

Meanwhile, Jackson got the nod on Sunday and turned 15 carries into 73 rushing yards and 2 TDs. That brings his season total to a far more respectable 601 yards on 143 carries, good for a perfectly fine 4.2 YPC. Jackson has also emerged as a strong option in the receiving game, grabbing 32 balls in limited duty. The Jets matchup isn’t ideal this week, but he draws the toothless Chiefs in Week 14 and Falcons in the all-important championship week.

DeAngelo Williams will be playing on a sprained ankle and the Panthers will start Matt Moore, he of the 3-to-6 TD-to-INT ratio in 11 career appearances. The Panthers will be looking to hide their QB, so the forecast calls for a ton of handoffs. That’s a recipe for fantasy production out of Jonathan Stewart, who we absolutely love as a Flex or potential RB2 play this week.

I hate to say it, Matt Forte owners, but this is your last opportunity to expect a big game out of your first-round pick. Forte (and the Chicago offensive line) has struggled with anything resembling a respectable defense, but he’s feasted on the Lions and Browns in two home matchups that have accounted for all of his 3 TDs on the season. Next week Green Bay Comes to town and then the Bears face off against two top-5 NFL rush defenses in Baltimore and Minnesota in the fantasy playoffs. Ouch.

The Bills and their NFL-worst rushing defense are frequent topics in this space. This week the Jets and their No. 2 rushing offense come into town, making Thomas Jones a must-start option. Hell, I know he hasn’t done anything outside of that 144-yard- 2TD game in Oakland, but Shonn Greene might be an option if your team has been ravaged by injuries and you’re desperate. We haven’t ranked him, but Greene got 10 carries last week and could be good for 50 yards with an outside shot at a TD. Again though, only if you’re desperate.

See also:
- Week 13 QB Ranks
- Week 13 WR Ranks
- Week 13 TE Ranks
- Week 13 DEF Ranks

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans @ IND
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. HOU
3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
4. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens @ GB
5. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers vs. TB (Check Status)
6. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. NE
7. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals vs. DET
8. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams @ CHI
9. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers @ SEA
10. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
11. Thomas Jones, New York Jets @ BUF
12. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
13. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers @ CLE
14. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears vs. STL
15. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers vs. TB

Running back rankings 16 through 36, after the jump…

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Ranks preview by Andrew Thell

You can make a strong argument that the New Orleans Saints DEF is the MVP of the fantasy season through 12 weeks. It’s reminiscent of the Rams defenses of the late 90s and earls 00s – they may not be the most talented bunch, but they’re playing with a big lead nearly every week and opposing offense are forced to abandon the run and pass more often and more recklessly than they ever would otherwise. Give Gregg Williams’ unit credit for taking advantage of the opportunities though, racking up 7 TDs, and constantly creating pressure on quarterbacks with strong defensive-end play.

In the ETB scoring format NO has racked up a whopping 160 total points. The second-best DEF has 133. That’s a 27-point gap, far greater than the difference at any ther position. At all other positions the top performer has only netted 10 or fewer more points than the rest of the pack. Coming into the season ranked outside the top 12 on nearly all cheat sheets, no free-agent pickup or late-round pick has had the positive impact the Saints DEF has. In a season in which top-12 ranked options like NYG, BAL, TEN, DAL, CHI and MIA are outside the top 12 in total scoring, the Saints are just the latest reason you never want to be the guy who drafts a DEF in the middle rounds.

The second-best DEF in fantasy pigskin this season has been the Minnesota Vikings, who we have tentatively ranked at number 6 this week. Early reports have Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart splitting reps in practice though. Minnesota’s All-Pro corner Antoine Winfield should be back this week, and if Leinart plays there may not be a better DEF option than the Vikings this week. The former USC star has shown next to nothing in his 27 career NFL starts to make us think he’s a passable QB.

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

1. New Orleans Saints @ WSH
2. Cincinnati Bengals vs. DET
3. San Diego Chargers @ CLE
4. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. OAK
5. Philadelphia Eagles @ ATL
6. Minnesota Vikings @ ARZ
7. Green Bay Packers vs. BAL
8. New York Jets @ BUF
9. Denver Broncos @ KC
10. Baltimore Ravens @ GB
11. San Francisco 49ers @ SEA
12. Buffalo Bills vs. NYJ
13. Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
14. Chicago Bears vs. STL
15. New York Giants vs. DAL
16. Dallas Cowboys @ NYG
17. New England Patriots @ MIA

Shawne Merriman Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Ranks preview by Andrew Thell

It’s amazing what taking a few years off of football can do to rejuvenate the legs, isn’t it? Ricky Williams has been stellar all season, averaging far and away his career high in yards per carry at 5.3. He’s taken over full-time duties for the run-centric Dolphins the last two weeks and absolutely run with the opportunity: 42 carries, 4 receptions, 245 total yards and 3 TDs. The train rolls on this week as Ricky rolls into Buffalo to face off against perhaps the worst rush defense in football. The Bills are giving up 165.9 rushing yards a game and have given up 15 scores on the ground, both second-most in the NFL. This week they’ll once again be without starting DT Marcus Stroud, making it a dream matchup for one of the hottest RBs in football. Ricky Williams is an elite play this week. Bet you didn’t think we’d be saying that about the 32-year-old back when you drafted him. You have something to be thankful for, Williams owners.

Joining Williams are several other unlikely strong fantasy plays. Bernard Scott should have several huge plays on his way to a big game at home against division rival Cleveland. There’s every reason to believe Jason Snelling will keep the ball rolling at home against a Tampa Bay unit surrendering the most rushing yards in the NFL on Sunday. Justin Forsett, who has shown some real moves and the ability to hit small holes, will also be a must-start in St. Louis for most teams.

In fact, all three waiver-wire heroes are above Matt Forte in our rankings this week. Yes, the Matt Forte you used your 2-5 pick on this summer. Fantasy football is a bitch. We didn’t like Forte as much as most people on draft day, he’s simply not that talented or explosive a runner. Still, he’s a good receiver who managed over 1,700 total yards and 12 TDs as a rookie despite gaining just 3.9 yards a carry. Talent questions aside, the situation figured to be at least the same as last year, if not better with Jay Cutler in town, so he was a good pick. Jay Cutler’s incredibly inconsistency is partially to blame for the poor season, but the Chicago Bears offensive line has been simply horrendous this year and Forte is having a hard time compensating for his lack of skills with sheer volume of carries as a result.

This year the Bears featured back is putting up a pathetic 3.3 yards per carry, which has netted a paltry 51.6 rushing yards a game and he’s only managed 3 total TDs. This week Forte goes into Minnesota to face a defense that has only given up 3 TDs on the ground all season and is allowing just 85.5 rushing yards a game, third-fewest in the NFL. The Vikes figure to be ahead most of the game, have a talented trio of LBs and run-stuffing CB Antoine Winfield is scheduled to return, making Forte an even riskier bet than usual. There’s a chance you have better options.

Laurence Maroney hasn’t been especially impressive, but he’s getting the carries around the stripe for New England. We expect this to be a high-scoring affair and think Maroney should be good for a touchdown and some yardage against a mediocre (at best) Saints rushing defense that will once again be lacking their starting NT.

See also:
- Week 12 QB Rankings
- Week 12 WR Ranks
- Week 12 TE Rankings
- Week 12 DEF Rankings

Kevin Smith Photo Credit: Icon SMI

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans vs. ARZ
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings vs. CHI
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars @ SF
4. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins @ BUF
5. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens vs. PIT
6. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers @ NYJ
7. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers vs. JAC
8. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams vs. SEA
9. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers @ DET
10. Bernard Scott, Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE (Check Benson’s Status)
11. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys vs. OAK
12. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants @ DEN
13. Thomas Jones, New York Jets vs. CAR
14. Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons vs. TB
15. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts @ HOU

Running back rankings 16 through 37, after the jump…

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Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

It seems like Peyton Manning is starting to trust Pierre Garcon, despite some ill-timed drops, and that makes him a fine WR3/4 with upside in most formats going forward. Garcon has great playmaking abilities, and the Colts know he can stretch the field and open things up for Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. If he keeps getting a high volume of looks Garcon will be a weekly candidate for huge plays and consistent yardage. Pierre has posted at least 50 yards in four straight now (including 6 for 108 last week and a TD the week before), and the matchup at Houston this week sets up nicely again.

Chris Chambers has seen a mini resurgence since joining the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this month. In three games he’s totaled 10 receptions for 249 yards and 2 TDs compared to just 9 receptions for 122 yards and 1 TD in his first seven games of the season with the San Diego Chargers. This week Chambers gets a chance to go into SD and get some revenge against the Bolts for cutting him earlier in the season. The Chiefs should be playing from behind often, and the revenge factor is always a nice angle, so we’re endorsing Chambers as a WR3 in deeper leagues.

Don’t let Terrell Owen’s explosion from last Sunday cloud your judgment. Before that 9-catch, 197-yard blowup the aging, depressing “star” wideout had only managed 26 catches and 1 TD in the previous eight games. He’s an option this week, but by no means a strong one.

Miles Austin stays inside our top-25 for the week, but his inability to shed doubles and respond to opponents game-planning for him the last few weeks is increasingly disconcerting. He’s merely a borderline WR2 right now.

The hits keep on coming for the Detroit defense. Starting strong safety Ko Simpson will miss Thursday’s game, leaving an already depleted secondary that much more vulnerable. The Lions already sport the worst secondary in the league, so you’ll obviously want to have Greg Jennings and Donald Driver in your lineups – and even James Jones makes for a solid speculative play for those in need of a WR4.

See also:
- Week 12 QB Rankings
- Week 12 RB Rankings
- Week 12 TE Rankings
- Week 12 DEF Rankings

1. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts @ HOU
2. Randy Moss, New England Patriots @ NO
3. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals @ TEN
4. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans vs. IND
5. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers vs. KC
6. Wes Welker, New England Patriots @ NO
7. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers @ DET
8. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons vs. TB (Check Status)
9. Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings vs. CHI
10. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE
11. Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars @ SF
12. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals @ TEN
13. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles vs. WAS
14. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos vs. NYG
15. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints vs. NE
16. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers @ DET

WR rankings 17 through 42, after the jump…

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