All in Sports Fantasy Advice
Week 14 - Football Breakdown and Rankings

Is there a must-lose situation? Or, to be more fair, is there a doesn’t-matter-if-I-lose situation? It’s the time of year where I see a myriad of questions starting with, “It’s a must-win situation” or “I cannot afford to lose this week.” Outside of the rare instances where you’ve run the table and your seeding is set, every game is one you need to win. Even if you don’t need to, everyone wants to win.

That said, I’ve also been surprised at the number of people who would be happier seeing their favorite team lose than their Fantasy team. To quote Keenan (or whatever his name is) from SNL, “What’s up with that?!” Let’s not go overboard here.

Fantasy football is a game where you sit in a chair, read up on stats, information, predictions, etc. None of us actually performs anything…unless you count clicking the mouse buttons to move players into starting or bench spots performing. If that’s the case, there are millions of talented people out there.

The reason I say all of this is because I want you to enjoy yourselves. Many are in multiple leagues, and you can’t win them all, or given the odds, any at all. Instead of spending your entire Sunday watching your box scores and being mad at every TD scored or goal line opportunity lost, relax and enjoy yourself. Just look at last week of why it’s not worth the aggravation – Matt Cassel, Kyle Orton, Dwayne Bowe, Brandon Lloyd and even Chris Johnson (again) left owners high and dry. There is nothing you can do about it, and no amount of planning, clicking or yelling at the TV would have helped. That’s why it’s the most fun and frustrating game in Fantasy sports…so focus on the first part since that’s all you can control.

Settling Up Week 13

Top Pair (players who guaranteed a good week)

Tom Brady – How do you follow up a 341-yard, four-TD performance? By doing it again, only against a vastly superior defense. He threw four TDs again and only 15 less yards. He’s making a case for another MVP.

Adrian Peterson – So much for being hurt. Actually, so much for being even 50%. ADP ran over Buffalo all-day for 107 yards and three TDs. I don’t even remember what he injured in Week 12.

Reggie Wayne – There he is. There’s the Reggie Wayne we’ve come to love. 200 yards and a score with 14 receptions, it’s about time. That’s only his third game with 100 or more yards. Hopefully, he’s getting hot at the best possible time.

River Rat (players who surprised everyone)

Drew Stanton – Who has two thumbs, is the third option for the Lions and was the fifth-best QB last week? This guy…well, that guy, but you get the point. It helped that one of his two TDs was a rushing one, but no one expected a Fantasy-worthy game from Drew.

Marshawn Lynch – It is easily a surprise when you totaled more Fantasy points than your previous six games combined. Hope someone was helped by his performance…anyone? Seriously, did anybody use him?

Sidney Rice – Last week it Jacoby Ford with the acrobatic catches, this week Sidney Rice. He took over with Percy Harvin out and showed his amazing athleticism, especially on his first TD. With a rough schedule coming up, that may be his best game until Detroit in Week 17.

Gut Shot (players who let everyone down)

Kyle Orton/Matt Cassel – There was supposed to be a litany of Fantasy options in this game. Two of them were QBs who were on fire as of late. Too bad, both of them must have been dumped in ice-baths. Cassel had the better day of the two, but fact is, even if you combined their performances, they would finish at the 12^th best option last week.

Chris Johnson – The Jaguars are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Don’t tell that to CJ2K as he let his owners down for the second straight week. He gained just 53 yards without scoring for the third straight time…thanks Mr. No. 1 pick.

Brandon Lloyd/Dwayne Bowe – Speaking of letting owners down. Two WRs who were in everyone’s top-10 lists looked even worse than their QBs. Lloyd put up three points (his lowest total on the year) while Bowe laid an egg. You hate to see this as many owners lost playoff hopes as a result.

What’s the Deal for Week 14?

All In (players I’m high on)

Joe Flacco – In case you need to be reminded, or having been living on the other side of the world, the Texans allow the most Fantasy points to quarterbacks, by far. They’ve given up the most passing yards and TDs giving QBs a full three-point advantage over No. 2 Denver. Flacco is one of the most consistent QBs in the league, and since Week 3, he’s scored double-digits ever week.

Philip Rivers – He’s had two off-weeks, but that will end for Rivers. This is still the same QB who threw for two or more TDs in eight of 10 games to start the year. This is a huge game for the Chargers if they want any hope at the division, and it’s at home…expect good things.

Josh Freeman – He was down on the list last week, but expect an upswing this week. He’s thrown for a TD in every week except the one game against Pittsburgh in Week 3. He won’t light up the scoreboard, but given the terrific matchup against Washington, you could do worse.

Peyton Hillis – One of the most impressive stories of the year, Hillis failed to score for the first time since Week 6. You can’t get a much better setup for a bounce-back game than to face Buffalo. With the passing game in shambles, there will be a heavy dose of the Polar Express this week…no on the nickname? Not even with it being seasonably relevant? Okay, I’ll try again next time.

Knowshon Moreno – If you’ve been following along this year, you know I’ve been hammering home how much I like Moreno for the stretch run. Things have been good of late with four straight double-digit games, and they are going to get even better. Denver faces pitiful Arizona this week who allows more Fantasy points to RBs than anyone else in the league.

Rashard Mendenhall – It’s tough to expect good things from a RB who’s scored in the single-digits in three of his last four games, but Mendenhall is due. With Big Ben ailing, Heath Miller likely out and the Steelers making a run at the division, Mendenhall will be leaned on this week.

Greg Jennings (Ace in the Hole) – What do you know, another player I told people to hold on to, trade for, and expect good things from…no, I’m not patting my own back...okay, maybe a little. Jennings has seven straight games with five or more catches and over 100 yards receiving in each of the past three. You think the Lions have any chance at stopping him? It’s the Lions!

Roddy White – It’s feels like bounce-back week is in session. White cannot be held down too long. Even though he’s been less than his early to mid-season self, he’s still managed 21 catches in the past three games. Carolina has a decent secondary, but Atlanta should have the ball enough for White to take advantage at least once or twice.

Anquan Boldin – Where have you been Mr. Boldin? After topping 100 yards twice in his first three games, Boldin finally did so again for the first time since Week 3. Did you already forget Houston allows the most Fantasy points to QBs? Hope not because that means good things for WRs too as they give up the fourth most points in that area as well.

Vernon Davis – The more important part about Davis' current profile is that he's healthy. When he's 100%, he is one of the best TEs in league. Alex Smith returns this week, but that won't stop Davis from being one of the best TE options especially with how many injuries there are at the position.

Muck ‘Em (players I’m down on)

Matt Cassel – He was one of the league’s hottest players until everyone was shocked at the low-scoring, run-fest against Denver. Don’t expect things to get much better this week, or possibly the rest of the year. The Chargers rank second only to New Orleans in least points allowed to QBs, and both St. Louis and Tennessee rank in the top 15 for the same.

Sam Bradford (The Flop) – While he’s one of the league’s most talented young QBs, he’s not one of the top Fantasy options. The game against the Broncos will likely be his highlight of the year as the Saints are the stingiest team for opposing QBs.

Carson Palmer – Palmer has attempted a high number of passes this year, but doesn’t have the corresponding success. He’s only thrown for three TDs once and has three games in single-digits for points. Now, he’s on the road in Pittsburgh, forget using him.

Brian Westbrook – This is more of a situation problem than a matchup issue as Seattle is rather weak against the run. The fact is we all know how brittle Westbrook is including the 49ers coaches. You simply cannot count on him getting a large amount of carries, plus Anthony Dixon will see the goal line touches.

Brandon Jackson – Jackson already proved he was not the answer at RB for the Packers. Now, the much-hyped James Starks has finally made an appearance. Don’t be fooled by the RB rotation rumors, the Packers will see what they have in Starks meaning Jackson’s value (what little there was) is kaput.

Cedric Benson – Running backs don’t run on the Steelers and that include Benson. He managed to score last time against Pittsburgh, but you can’t expect that again. Without that TD, he would have had only five points. The Browns and Chargers (rest of the playoff schedule) are both in the top half for least points allowed to RBs so expect mediocre numbers from here on out.

Roy Williams – It’s not that I don’t think he’ll be the one to step in for Dez Bryant (surgery), it’s just expectations are a bit too high from owners. Tashard Choice showed his talent yet again and will see more chances. Plus, a division matchup against Philadelphia looms, and Miles Austin and Jason Witten will see the first looks from Jon Kitna.

Danny Amendola – It’s Amendola, it’s Brandon Gibson, it’s Laurent Robinson, who knows…every week it seems like one of the Rams receivers will finally take control as the No. 1 option. As previously mentioned, the Saints secondary is quite good meaning Amendola won’t be stepping up this week.

Larry Fitzgerald – John Skelton – that’s all I need to say. Okay, maybe a little more, but Skelton’s first start is not something to be excited about. Fitzgerald was already having a slow go of it lately, and Skelton will struggle to either get Fitzgerald the ball or try to force it too much resulting in turnovers.

Jeremy Shockey – The last thing the Saints need is more receiving options. Shockey returned to see only two catches for 28 yards while Jimmy Graham saw more targets and yards. With David Thomas still in the fold, and the number of WR options in New Orleans, avoid all of the Saints TEs.

Quarterback
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Aaron Rodgers - GB ( @ DET )
2 - Michael Vick - PHI ( @ DAL )
3 - Drew Brees - NO ( STL )
4 - Tom Brady - NE ( @ CHI )
5 - Philip Rivers - SD ( KC )
6 - Peyton Manning - IND ( @ TEN )
7 - Joe Flacco - BAL ( @ HOU )
8 - Jake Delhomme - CLE ( @ BUF )
9 - Ben Roethlisberger - PIT ( CIN )
10 - Kyle Orton - DEN ( @ ARZ )
11 - Jay Cutler - CHI ( NE )
12 - Eli Manning - NYG ( @ MIN )
13 - Matt Ryan - ATL ( @ CAR )
14 - Matt Schaub - HOU ( BAL )
15 - Jon Kitna - DAL ( PHI )
16 - Josh Freeman - TB ( @ WAS )
17 - Ryan Fitzpatrick - BUF ( CLE )
18 - David Garrard - JAC ( OAK )
19 - Carson Palmer - CIN ( @ PIT )
20 - Mark Sanchez - NYJ ( MIA )
21 - Donovan McNabb - WAS ( TB )
22 - Sam Bradford - STL ( @ NO )
23 - Brett Favre - MIN ( NYG )
24 - Jason Campbell - OAK ( @ JAC )

Running Back
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Peyton Hillis - CLE ( @ BUF )
2 - Adrian Peterson - MIN ( NYG )
3 - Michael Turner - ATL ( @ CAR )
4 - Maurice Jones-Drew - JAC ( OAK )
5 - Arian Foster - HOU ( BAL )
6 - Knowshon Moreno - DEN ( @ ARZ )
7 - Chris Johnson - TEN ( IND )
8 - Rashard Mendenhall - PIT ( CIN )
9 - LeSean McCoy - PHI ( @ DAL )
10 - Jamaal Charles - KC ( @ SD )
11 - Ray Rice - BAL ( @ HOU )
12 - Steven Jackson - STL ( @ NO )
13 - Darren McFadden - OAK ( @ JAC )
14 - Matt Forte - CHI ( NE )
15 - LeGarrette Blount - TB ( @ WAS )
16 - Ahmad Bradshaw - NYG ( @ MIN )
17 - Fred Jackson - BUF ( CLE )
18 - LaDainian Tomlinson - NYJ ( MIA )
19 - Cedric Benson - CIN ( @ PIT )
20 - BenJarvus Green-Ellis - NE ( @ CHI )
21 - Jonathan Stewart - CAR ( ATL )
22 - Chris Ivory - NO ( STL )
23 - Brandon Jacobs - NYG ( @ MIN )
24 - Thomas Jones - KC ( @ SD )
25 - Felix Jones - DAL ( PHI )
26 - Mike Tobert - SD ( KC )
27 - James Starks - GB ( @ DET )
28 - Tashard Choice - DAL ( PHI )
29 - Brian Westbrook - SF ( SEA )
30 - Tim Hightower - ARZ ( DEN )
31 - Marshawn Lynch - SEA ( @ SF )
32 - Ronnie Brown - MIA ( @ NYJ )
33 - Anthony Dixon - SF ( SEA )
34 - Shonn Greene - NYJ ( MIA )
35 - Jahvid Best - DET ( GB )
36 - Danny Woodhead - NE ( @ CHI )
37 - Donald Brown - IND ( @ TEN )
38 - Mike Goodson - CAR ( ATL )
39 - Brandon Jackson - GB ( @ DET )
40 - Javarris James - IND ( @ TEN )
41 - James Davis - WAS ( TB )
42 - Ricky Williams - MIA ( @ NYJ )
43 - Michael Bush - OAK ( @ JAC )
44 - Beanie Wells - ARZ ( DEN )
45 - Maurice Morris - DET ( GB )
46 - Keiland Williams - WAS ( TB )
47 - Ryan Mathews - SD ( KC )
48 - Justin Forsett - SEA ( @ SF )
49 - Reggie Bush - NO ( STL )
50 - Pierre Thomas - NO ( STL )


Wide Receiver
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Greg Jennings - GB ( @ DET )
2 - Reggie Wayne - IND ( @ TEN )
3 - Roddy White - ATL ( @ CAR )
4 - Andre Johnson - HOU ( BAL )
5 - Calvin Johnson - DET ( GB )
6 - Marques Colston - NO ( STL )
7 - Brandon Lloyd - DEN ( @ ARZ )
8 - Jeremy Maclin - PHI ( @ DAL )
9 - Dwayne Bowe - KC ( @ SD )
10 - DeSean Jackson - PHI ( @ DAL )
11 - Anquan Boldin - BAL ( @ HOU )
12 - Mike Wallace - PIT ( CIN )
13 - Miles Austin - DAL ( PHI )
14 - Mike Williams - TB ( @ WAS )
15 - Wes Welker - NE ( @ CHI )
16 - Terrell Owens - CIN ( @ PIT )
17 - Larry Fitzgerald - ARZ ( DEN )
18 - Steve Johnson - BUF ( CLE )
19 - Sidney Rice - MIN ( NYG )
20 - Santonio Holmes - NYJ ( MIA )
21 - Malcom Floyd - SD ( KC )
22 - Michael Crabtree - SF ( SEA )
23 - Pierre Garcon - IND ( @ TEN)
24 - Mario Manningham - NYG ( @ MIN )
25 - Chad Ochocinco - CIN ( @ PIT )
26 - Hines Ward - PIT ( CIN )
27 - Percy Harvin - MIN ( NYG )
28 - Johnny Knox - CHI ( NE )
29 - Derrick Mason - BAL ( @ HOU )
30 - Deion Branch - NE ( @ CHI )
31 - Santana Moss - WAS ( TB )
32 - Braylon Edwards - NYJ ( MIA )
33 - Donald Driver - GB ( @ DET )
34 - Brandon Marshall - MIA ( @ NYJ )
35 - Steve Smith - CAR ( ATL )
36 - Mike Thomas - JAC ( OAK )
37 - Davone Bess - MIA ( @ NYJ )
38 - Steve Smith - NYG ( @ MIN )
39 - Roy Williams - DAL ( PHI )
40 - Kenny Britt - TEN ( IND )
41 - Lee Evans - BUF ( CLE )
42 - Jacoby Ford - OAK ( @ JAC )
43 - Robert Meachem - NO ( STL )
44 - Steve Breaston - ARZ ( DEN )
45 - Ben Obomanu - SEA ( @ SF )
46 - Lance Moore - NO ( STL )
47 - Blair White - IND ( @ TEN )
48 - Mike Williams - SEA ( @ SF )
49 - James Jones - GB ( @ DET )
50 - Earl Bennett - CHI ( NE )

Tight End
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - Antonio Gates - SD ( KC )
2 - Vernon Davis - SF ( SEA )
3 - Jason Witten - DAL ( PHI )
4 - Jacob Tamme - IND ( @ TEN )
5 - Tony Gonzalez - ATL ( @ CAR )
6 - Chris Cooley - WAS ( TB )
7 - Marcedes Lewis - JAC ( OAK )
8 - Dustin Keller - NYJ ( MIA )
9 - Brandon Pettigrew - DET ( GB )
10 - Benjamin Watson - CLE ( @ BUF )
11 - Kellen Winslow - TB ( @ WAS )
12 - Brent Celek - PHI ( @ DAL )
13 - Kevin Boss - NYG ( @ MIN )
14 - Aaron Hernandez - NE ( @ CHI )
15 - Visanthe Shiancoe - MIN ( NYG )
16 - Greg Olsen - CHI ( NE )
17 - Rob Gronkowski - NE ( @ CHI )
18 - Tony Moeaki - KC ( @ SD )
19 - Zach Miller - OAK ( @ JAC )
20 - Jimmy Graham - NO ( STL )
21 - Todd Heap - BAL ( @ HOU )
22 - Ed Dickson - BAL ( @ HOU )
23 - Joel Dreessen - HOU ( BAL )
24 - Owen Daniels - HOU ( BAL )
25 - Jermaine Gresham - CIN ( @ PIT )

Kicker
Rank - Player - Team ( Opp )
1 - David Akers - PHI ( @ DAL )
2 - Mason Crosby - GB ( @ DET )
3 - Rob Bironas - TEN ( IND )
4 - Adam Vinatieri - IND ( @ TEN )
5 - Matt Bryant - ATL ( @ CAR )
6 - Dan Carpenter - MIA ( @ NYJ )
7 - Sebastian Janikowski - OAK ( @ JAC )
8 - Garrett Hartley - NO ( STL )
9 - Nate Kaeding - SD ( KC )
10 - Ryan Longwell - MIN ( NYG )
11 - Matt Prater - DEN ( @ ARZ )
12 - Robbie Gould - CHI ( NE )
13 - Billy Cundiff - BAL ( @ HOU )
14 - Neil Rackers - HOU ( BAL )
15 - Josh Scobee - JAC ( OAK )
16 - Shayne Graham - NE ( @ CHI )
17 - Lawrence Tynes - NYG ( @ MIN )
18 - Nick Folk - NYJ ( MIA )
19 - Josh Brown - STL ( @ NO )
20 - Jay Feely - ARZ ( DEN )

Defense
Rank - Team ( Opp )
1 - Steelers ( CIN )
2 - Packers ( @ DET )
3 - Giants ( @ MIN )
4 - Jets ( MIA )
5 - Falcons ( @ CAR )
6 - Eagles ( @ DAL )
7 - Patriots ( @ CHI )
8 - Ravens ( @ HOU )
9 - Saints ( STL )
10 - 49ers ( SEA )
11 - Bears ( NE )
12 - Vikings ( NYG )
13 - Browns ( @ BUF )
14 - Chargers ( KC )
15 - Titans ( IND )
16 - Buccaneers ( @ WAS )
17 - Broncos ( @ ARZ )
18 - Seahawks ( @ SF )
19 - Chiefs ( @ SD )
20 - Dolphins ( @ NYJ )
21 - Raiders ( @ JAC )
22 - Cowboys ( PHI )
23 - Bengals ( @ PIT )
24 - Colts ( @ TEN )
25 - Jaguars ( OAK )