Analysis by Michael Fabiano
This was the Adrian Peterson show, as the veteran running back gashed the Packers for 210 yards, one touchdown and 28.00 fantasy points. He could end up having the best statistical season of his career, which is nothing short of miraculous when you consider he's coming off major knee reconstruction. Christian Ponder looked awful, completing 12 of 25 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He's not fantasy relevant. ... Kyle Rudolph was the only other Viking to make a fantasy impact, catching six passes for 51 yards with his third touchdown in his last three games. If you need a tight end, the Notre Dame product is owned in less than 40 percent of NFL.com leagues. ... Jerome Simpson (two catches), Jarius Wright (one catch) were the lone wideouts on this team to record offensive stats in the absence of Percy Harvin.
Aaron Rodgers put up another mediocre stat line in fantasy land with 286 yards, one touchdown and one interception. You can't bench him in most cases, but Rodgers has now scored fewer than 16 fantasy points in four of his last five games. ... Jordy Nelson caught one just pass before leaving with an injured hamstring in the first quarter. He never returned. ... Randall Cobb led the team with six catches, but James Jones led all Packers receivers with 10.00 fantasy points. ... Greg Jennings returned to work for the first time in several weeks but hauled in just four catches for 46 yards. On a positive note, he didn't seem to suffer a setback with his groin. ... James Starks had a nice stat line with 66 yards and one touchdown, but he split the workload with Alex Green. Starks has more value but isn't much more than a risky flex option.
Analysis by Elliot Harrison
Matt Schaub had a nice day versus the Titans, pushing his club out to a 21-3 halftime lead while throwing two touchdowns. He finished with a solid 16.18 fantasy points. You never sit Arian Foster, but it's interesting to note he only gained 38 yards rushing. Still, per the usual, he scored a touchdown and got involved in the Texans short passing game. Surprisingly, the Texans' played a lot of situational football, and thus Foster only carried it 14 times. His final fantasy tally was 11.3 points. In PPR leagues he was worth much more, considering he had five catches. ... Justin Forsett got 14 carries, but I can't recommend him at this late stage of your fantasy season. ... Andre Johnson continues to be a must play, despite only getting 5.6 points. With the Texans playing the explosive Patriots offense next week, they'll need to score points. The New England secondary could easily allow AJ 100 yards and a touchdown. ... Owen Daniels was a fantasy disappointment, catching just three passes in a game that Houston ran the ball 35 times and threw it 35 times. The Houston defense had a great day with six takeaways, but playing the Patriots, you might check the waiver wire for better match ups...but only if it's CLEARLY a better matchup, like the Seahawks D versus the Cardinals or the Broncos D against the Raiders.
Jake Locker is a difficult play for Tennessee. On the surface, he runs the ball well out of the pocket, but he's not an accurate passer and his wideouts had much difficulty getting any separation. He was also a turnover machine against Houston. Not to mention, 10 points won't get it done for you in the playoffs. ... Ditto the Titans wideouts, who are completely unpredictable. Kenny Britt has scored touchdowns two weeks in a row after nabbing a Locker scoring pass Sunday, but if I had to play one guy between Britt, Kendall Wright, and Nate Washington, I'd go to the waiver wire. Well, put my feet to the fire and I'd say go with Nate Washington, but only if you have to. He's the most accomplished of the Titans receivers, and made some big plays versus Houston. Wright is used more in the short game, so in PPR leagues he's a flex play in deeper leagues. ... Chris Johnson had a rough contest, putting up only 5.1 fantasy points due to a lost fumble. Johnson is someone you have to play given all the running back by committees as well as consistent disappointments at the position. ... Jared Cook is a good play in deeper leagues, but I still don't trust him. Tennessee doesn't get enough big plays from the veteran tight end to warrant starting him in a 10-team league.
Analysis by Jason Smith
Chad Henne had a very serviceable game, considering the lack of points put up by other bigger-name QBs in Week 13, and he remains a viable matchup-based start. ... The Jaguars simply can't run the ball successfully, so it'll be Henne through the air every week. Montell Owens wasn't bad stepping in for Rashad Jennings, so if you have a spot on your roster he may be worth a shot, but don't expect him to get the football enough to be a fantasy difference-maker. ... It was another strong game for Cecil Shorts before leaving with a head injury late in the game. He's about as consistent a WR as there's been the last month and there's nothing short of missing time that seems to slow him down. He's in your lineup as a strong WR2 at worst if he's healthy. Justin Blackmon had an extremely disappointing day in the rain, catching just one pass for nine yards despite six targets. Blackmon is still in your mix as a potential flex, as better weather may have meant a better day overall. His status also will elevate depending on Shorts' health. ... Marcedes Lewis had an acceptable day (6.8 fantasy points) and if you're struggling for TE production, Lewis is emerging as a guy you give a whirl to.
Ryan Fitzpatrick had a very good day despite the weather, and remains a top matchup-based QB if you're having trouble at the position as you head into the playoffs/last week of your regular season. ... The Bills' RB situation got even more muddled after Sunday. After what was supposed to be a 60/40 division of labor for C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, Jackson had 11 more carries than Spiller, though Spiller did have the 44-yard TD run to give him more fantasy points. So no matter what's said, it looks like there will be enough carries for both men going forward, as Spiller has yet to prove he can produce with over 20 carries per game. Proceed this way: Play Spiller as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 every week, and make Jackson a strong flex option. Some weeks, Freddie can give you 10-plus fantasy points, but some weeks it can be three, hence the flex being his best fit on your roster. ... Stevie Johnson continued his mini-renaissance with a touchdown, as he's been consistent in getting you 8-10 points per week the past month. Don't expect an explosion from him, but he's still getting the most targets from Fitzpatrick out of any WR, so he's worth a lineup look every week as a No. 3 or flex.
Analysis by Matt "Money" Smith
It was a fantasy bonanza in Detroit, so much so even Vick Ballard delivered for those who chose to start him once it was official he was getting the start over Donald Brown. Still moving forward, it's hard to recommend you put him in your lineup, considering it was a single drive at the start of the second half that saw him pick up 80 percent of his points. Plain and simple, the Colts don't run the ball and have little interest in doing so even when it benefits them. Now that passing attack, that's a different story altogether. ... While watching Andrew Luck from our broadcast booth right next to where the Colts coaches were observing the action, you can see how Luck really spreads it around (that included the Lions DBs too). ... TY Hilton is a viable play as it seemed Luck was looking for him regularly, and he is a load for an opponents' secondaries to deal with. Reggie Wayne is a must start every week, and he nearly had a TD grab on that final possession to help the cause but the play was broken up. While Coby Fleener got a TD grab, he barely got any looks, as Dwayne Allen was more prominent in Luck's progressions. Tough to recommend Fleener in the post-season, he's just too big a risk.
The Lions are maddening if you have any player not named Matthew Stafford or Calvin Johnson. Brandon Pettigrew had a great first half, including a TD, but after consecutive drops, Stafford was shy in throwing his way again. Mikel Leshoure was effective when asked to run, but even with a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Lions were still all about the pass. Not to mention Kevin Smith and Joique Bell saw a decent number of snaps, too. Ryan Broyles hurt his knee and Titus Young was inactive. So again, save Johnson and Stafford -- both of whom had huge days -- you're rolling the dice with the Lions in your postseason.
Analysis by Akbar Gbajabiamila
Who are the guys that will aid you to win your fantasy league? Look no further than this game. The Bucs and the Broncos have guys that will get you to the Super Bowl. ... Peyton Manning to Demaryius Thomas will be a popular combo. Every offense has their go-to guy and Demaryius Thomas is it. ... Knowshon Moreno is running with a purpose and in this game he showed no fear, even against a stout Bucs run defense. Plan on playing Moreno through the playoffs. On the other side of the ball, the Broncos created pressure and turnovers. The Broncos' defense in this game solidifies why defense wins championships.
The Buccaneers' fantasy output wasn't as spectacular as some would have hoped for in Week 13. If you have Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams and, of course, Doug Martin they will meet your expectations. Don't second guess yourself. If you own Josh Freeman because you are in a quarterback crisis he has been consistently good and productive the last eight weeks.
Analysis by Adam Rank
The Bengals and Chargers could have produced some big-time numbers fantasy wise, but much like the Chargers' 2012 season, it fell well below expectations. Red Dalton was adequate, as he came in just below 15 fantasy points, thanks in part to one interception which wasn't his fault. Again, I implore NFL stats gurus to enact the "carom" into football statistics. That is, any ball which bounces off a receiver's hands should go against the receiver and not the quarterback. Dalton did add a touchdown run for his troubles, though. ... BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a fine game. The Law Firm finished with more than 13 fantasy points, and even mixed in a long run. He didn't get into the end zone, but you have to like when he makes up for it with the yardage. ... A.J. Green had just 85 receiving yards. But again, if his bad games are 8.5 points, I can live with it. Besides, you want these bad games to happen during the fantasy regular season. How about another touchdown streak for the fantasy playoffs? ... Jermaine Gresham came out with a touchdown reception, but managed only 35 receiving yards. And then he lost a fumble, too. That's the worst: getting a touchdown and still having your guy get single-digit fantasy points.
Philip Rivers had another lackluster game, as he couldn't muster 10 fantasy points. The only thing left for him right now is to showcase his potential for his future coach, because it isn't going to be Norv Turner. If Rivers isn't careful, he could end up in Arizona. ... Ryan Mathews is another disappointment. When the Chargers need to throw the ball, he yields to Ronnie Brown. When you think of the picks A.J. Smith has missed on, Mathews need to be at the top of the list. ... Danario Alexander did manage to have at least 100 receiving yards. He, at least, seems safe for the Chargers and has the trust of Rivers. Alexander has had at least six fantasy points in his last five for the Chargers since he got some legit playing time. ... Antonio Gates is not a great option anymore. Gates finished below such fantasy superstars as a Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks and Dwayne Allen in Week 13. You're better off looking for other options from the tight end position.
