Every Monday, I will show the top players at each offensive skill position - fantasy-style, with the percentage owned and started in parenthesis. All data is from espn.com.
Let's begin:
Quarterback:
Alex Smith (2%/6.7%)
17/27, 255 yards passing and 3 TD's; 0 Int; 4 Rushes for 12 Yds
23 Fantasy Points (projected: 11 fantasy pts) +12
Alex Who? Yea, Alex Smith of the 49ers took back his role as starting quarterback and had a spectacular effort - although his performance yesterday was a once-in-a-lifetime game. He's only owned in 6% of fantasy leagues - NOT worth owning during the fantasy playoffs.
Running Back:
Darren McFadden (72.2/100)
16 Carries, 123 rushing yards and 2 TD's; 0 fumbles; 3 Catches for 86 yards and 1 TD
38 Fantasy Points (projected: 17 fantasy pts) +21
Run DMC had the best game of his young two-year career, having not one, but two highlight-reel plays that resulted in TD's. The second one was his best - as my friend put it, he used every Madden move in the book, with the initial spin move, then the juke, and finally, the wicked stiff-arm. McFadden has had two consecutive strong games - with more to come! He has cupcake games against Indy, Denver and Kansas City - teams weak in either the passing game, the running game, or both - during the Fantasy Playoffs.
Running Back:
Michael Turner (98.2/100)
28 Carries, 112 rushing yards and 3 TD's; 1 Catch for 12 Yards; 0 Fumbles
30 Fantasy Points (projected: 18 fantasy pts) +12
I love me some Michael "The Burner" Turner right about now! Four straight weeks of 80+ rushing yards AND 1 TD - AND he faces the one-win Panthers AGAIN to close out the NFL season. No question about it, Turner is easily a top-three running back this year.
Wide Receiver/Running Back (Flex):
Tim Hightower (20.8/63.4)
18 Carries, 148 rushing yards and 2 TD's; 1 Fumble
24 Fantasy Points (projected: 14 fantasy pts) +10
Hightower was a late fantasy sleeper for this game, as well as this season. Against the porous Broncos' run defense, Hightower carried the ball 18 times for nearly 150 yards. More than 20% of owners should have started him, as the Cardinals were starting a ROOKIE quarterback. Everyone should know that if an unproven quarterback is starting, one should start their running back against a terrible run defense. If the rookie is still starting, then Hightower SHOULD be picked up, since he has a VERY favorable schedule (@Car, vs. Dal and @SF).
Wide Receiver:
DeSean Jackson (91.0/100)
4 Catches for 210 receiving yards and 1 TD
27 Fantasy Points (projected: 11 fantasy pts) +16
Who is the most exciting wide receiver in the League right now? My money is on DeSean "Action" Jackson, who cemented my vote with that crazy 91-yard catch-and-run against the Cowboys. No reason to bench him, even if he hurt his foot during last night's game.
Wide Receiver:
Tie, with two players
Deion Branch (49.1/80.9)
8 Catches for 151 receiving yards and 1 TD
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 12 fantasy pts) +9
I guess, after the Aaron Rodgers concussion, the hottest QB-WR duo in the League belongs to Tom Brady and Deion Branch, who has three straight weeks of 60+ receiving yards AND 1 TD. Continue to start both players, no matter what.
Pierre Garcon (25.4/85.4)
6 Catches for 93 receiving yards and 2 TD's
21 Fantasy Points (projected: 4 fantasy pts) +17
Pierre Garcon finally, FINALLY had his breakout game of the season, making two touchdown receptions during the Colts' Thursday night victory. But I do not trust him during the fantasy playoffs
Tight End
Jason Witten (84.6/100)
7 Catches for 69 yards and 2 TD's
18 Fantasy Points (projected: 12 fantasy pts) +6
Jason Witten has become one of the VERY few elite tight ends this year - joining red-hot Vernon Davis and currently injured tight end Antonio Gates. All three should be starting TE in your fantasy playoffs.
Kicker
Jay Feely (49.2/57.0)
5 for 6 on Field Goals; 4 for 4 on Extra-Points; 1 Rushing TD
28 Fantasy Points (projected: 11 fantasy pts) + 17
Feely had the BIGGEST game for fantasy kickers this season. Not only did he make five field goals and four extra-points during yesterday's romp over the disappointing Denver Broncos, he also ran for one on a trick play. I should have picked him up and started him, since he was expected to get 12 fantasy points, the most among kickers for Week 14.(Audio for the above video is bad, since the fan was in the raucous stadium when the play took place).
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers (90.1/100)
3 Ints for 71 yards and 2 TD's; 3 Sacks; 7 Points Allowed; 34 Rushing Yards
25 Fantasy Points (projected: 8 fantasy pts) +17
The Steelers continue being the top NFL defense this year, and this performance continued to exemplify such, with both Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley intercepting two Carson Palmer passes for touchdowns. I see no reason in not starting this D/ST!
TOTAL Fantasy Points: 234 (Predicted: 110)
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