Week 13 Rankings Update

Somewhere out there, there was a guy who started Philip Rivers, Darren McFadden, Reggie Bush, Terrell Owens, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and Zach Miller last week. Let's call him Brett. He probably felt pretty good about his team heading into Week 12. Brett watched his skill position guys score 19 points for him.

Fantasy football is a week-to-week proposition, and that hits home more than ever in do-or-die weeks before the fantasy playoffs. The key is figuring out what's truly a trend, and what's inevitable statistical noise in a long season.

What happened in October is not always instructive any longer. Miller is no longer a top-five tight end when he's limping around on one leg. Darren McFadden is no longer a quality option, much less a top-five guy, with Oakland's offense collapsing. He's not running with the same power as before.

A lot of readers ask if we do anything differently at Rotoworld during these final weeks. Do you get more aggressive if you need a big point total or get more conservative if you are seeded highly?

There are so many variables to fantasy football each week, that I suggest doing what you would normally do. Just study those decisions a little longer and make sure you can live with it, right or wrong, on Monday morning.

If all fails, just go by the rankings compiled by Chris Wesseling and myself. That's what they are here for.

Week 13 Quarterbacks

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Michael Vick	vs. HOU	-
2	Aaron Rodgers	vs. SF	-
3	Philip Rivers	vs. OAK	-
4	Drew Brees	at CIN	-
5	Peyton Manning	vs. DAL	-
6	Kyle Orton	at KC	-
7	Tom Brady	vs. NYJ	Probable(foot)
8	Matt Cassel	vs. DEN	-
9	Ben Roethlisberger	at BAL	Questionable(foot)
10	Jay Cutler	at DET	-
11	Eli Manning	vs. WAS	-
12	Matt Ryan	at TB	-
13	Joe Flacco	vs. PIT	-
14	Matt Schaub	at PHI	Probable(knee)
15	Ryan Fitzpatrick	at MIN	-
16	Jon Kitna	at IND	-
17	Mark Sanchez	at NE	Probable(calf)
18	Sam Bradford	at ARZ	-
19	Josh Freeman	vs. ATL	-
20	Brett Favre	vs. BUF	Probable(shoulder)
21	Chad Henne	vs. CLE	-
22	David Garrard	at TEN	Probable(wrist)
23	Carson Palmer	vs. NO	-
24	Kerry Collins	vs. JAC	Probable(calf)
25	Matt Hasselbeck	vs. CAR	Probable(left wrist)
26	Donovan McNabb	at NYG	Probable(hamstring)
27	Troy Smith	at GB	-
28	Jason Campbell	at SD	-
29	Jake Delhomme	at MIA	-
30	Drew Stanton	vs. CHI	-
31	Derek Anderson	vs. STL	-
32	Jimmy Clausen	at SEA	-

Editor's Note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and early rankings.

QB Notes: The lack of playmakers out wide shows up for Josh Freeman more than you think. Even though I'm not in love with Atlanta's secondary, he's not a great sneaky play this week. … It's insane that Matt Ryan is 27th out of 33 in YPA this season. He can still get a little loose throwing the deep ball, but no one is better at fitting the ball into tight windows on third downs right now. It's a slow moving offense, but there should be chances for big plays this week against Tampa, who is short at safety. Look for Atlanta to put a lot of points on the board.

Matt Cassel's high ranking is a vote for him as much as it is against the Broncos. Jacksonville, Houston, and Arizona's terrible defensive backfields have received more attention, but Denver is right there with them. … Eli Manning is fourth in the NFL in plays over 25 yards. He's the perfect guy to attack Washington's overaggressive secondary, no matter how short the team is at receiver. … The Steelers should think about spreading the Ravens out on Sunday night. Ben Roethlisberger leads the NFL in QB rating with four or more wideouts on the field. Baltimore's secondary is thin. I don't think the game will be quite the defensive battle is usually is.

Look for the Texans to go run heavy on Thursday night. Philly's blitz packages can get to Matt Schaub. There isn't much separating the quarterbacks ranked 15-20 this week. They all have good enough matchups and wouldn't be back pickups if you need help. Sam Bradford playing in the Big Toaster looks especially tempting. … I see Peyton Manning bouncing back in a big way against a secondary that still gives up too many big plays. … Facing the Jets in potential rough weather means Tom Brady could be on some benches this week.

Somewhere out there, there was a guy who started Philip Rivers, Darren McFadden, Reggie Bush, Terrell Owens, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, and Zach Miller last week. Let's call him Brett. He probably felt pretty good about his team heading into Week 12. Brett watched his skill position guys score 19 points for him.

Fantasy football is a week-to-week proposition, and that hits home more than ever in do-or-die weeks before the fantasy playoffs. The key is figuring out what's truly a trend, and what's inevitable statistical noise in a long season.

What happened in October is not always instructive any longer. Miller is no longer a top-five tight end when he's limping around on one leg. Darren McFadden is no longer a quality option, much less a top-five guy, with Oakland's offense collapsing. He's not running with the same power as before.

A lot of readers ask if we do anything differently at Rotoworld during these final weeks. Do you get more aggressive if you need a big point total or get more conservative if you are seeded highly?

There are so many variables to fantasy football each week, that I suggest doing what you would normally do. Just study those decisions a little longer and make sure you can live with it, right or wrong, on Monday morning.

If all fails, just go by the rankings compiled by Chris Wesseling and myself. That's what they are here for.

Week 13 Quarterbacks

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Michael Vick	vs. HOU	-
2	Aaron Rodgers	vs. SF	-
3	Philip Rivers	vs. OAK	-
4	Drew Brees	at CIN	-
5	Peyton Manning	vs. DAL	-
6	Kyle Orton	at KC	-
7	Tom Brady	vs. NYJ	Probable(foot)
8	Matt Cassel	vs. DEN	-
9	Ben Roethlisberger	at BAL	Questionable(foot)
10	Jay Cutler	at DET	-
11	Eli Manning	vs. WAS	-
12	Matt Ryan	at TB	-
13	Joe Flacco	vs. PIT	-
14	Matt Schaub	at PHI	Probable(knee)
15	Ryan Fitzpatrick	at MIN	-
16	Jon Kitna	at IND	-
17	Mark Sanchez	at NE	Probable(calf)
18	Sam Bradford	at ARZ	-
19	Josh Freeman	vs. ATL	-
20	Brett Favre	vs. BUF	Probable(shoulder)
21	Chad Henne	vs. CLE	-
22	David Garrard	at TEN	Probable(wrist)
23	Carson Palmer	vs. NO	-
24	Kerry Collins	vs. JAC	Probable(calf)
25	Matt Hasselbeck	vs. CAR	Probable(left wrist)
26	Donovan McNabb	at NYG	Probable(hamstring)
27	Troy Smith	at GB	-
28	Jason Campbell	at SD	-
29	Jake Delhomme	at MIA	-
30	Drew Stanton	vs. CHI	-
31	Derek Anderson	vs. STL	-
32	Jimmy Clausen	at SEA	-

Editor's Note: You can get our Season Pass package at a discount rate for the fantasy playoffs. Tons of extra stat tools, projections, columns, and early rankings.

QB Notes: The lack of playmakers out wide shows up for Josh Freeman more than you think. Even though I'm not in love with Atlanta's secondary, he's not a great sneaky play this week. … It's insane that Matt Ryan is 27th out of 33 in YPA this season. He can still get a little loose throwing the deep ball, but no one is better at fitting the ball into tight windows on third downs right now. It's a slow moving offense, but there should be chances for big plays this week against Tampa, who is short at safety. Look for Atlanta to put a lot of points on the board.

Matt Cassel's high ranking is a vote for him as much as it is against the Broncos. Jacksonville, Houston, and Arizona's terrible defensive backfields have received more attention, but Denver is right there with them. … Eli Manning is fourth in the NFL in plays over 25 yards. He's the perfect guy to attack Washington's overaggressive secondary, no matter how short the team is at receiver. … The Steelers should think about spreading the Ravens out on Sunday night. Ben Roethlisberger leads the NFL in QB rating with four or more wideouts on the field. Baltimore's secondary is thin. I don't think the game will be quite the defensive battle is usually is.

Look for the Texans to go run heavy on Thursday night. Philly's blitz packages can get to Matt Schaub. There isn't much separating the quarterbacks ranked 15-20 this week. They all have good enough matchups and wouldn't be back pickups if you need help. Sam Bradford playing in the Big Toaster looks especially tempting. … I see Peyton Manning bouncing back in a big way against a secondary that still gives up too many big plays. … Facing the Jets in potential rough weather means Tom Brady could be on some benches this week.
Week 13 Running Backs

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Arian Foster	at PHI	-
2	Chris Johnson	vs. JAC	-
3	Michael Turner	at TB	-
4	Steven Jackson	at ARZ	-
5	Adrian Peterson	vs. BUF	Questionable(ankle)
6	Jamaal Charles	vs. DEN	-
7	Peyton Hillis	at MIA	-
8	Maurice Jones-Drew	at TEN	-
9	Rashard Mendenhall	at BAL	-
10	LeSean McCoy	vs. HOU	Probable(shoulder)
11	Matt Forte	at DET	-
12	Knowshon Moreno	at KC	-
13	Ray Rice	vs. PIT	-
14	Fred Jackson	at MIN	-
15	Felix Jones	at IND	-
16	Mike Tolbert	vs. OAK	Questionable(hand)
17	Ahmad Bradshaw	vs. WAS	-
18	LeGarrette Blount	vs. ATL	-
19	Jonathan Stewart	at SEA	-
20	Cedric Benson	vs. NO	-
21	Darren McFadden	at SD	-
22	Mike Goodson	at SEA	-
23	Brandon Jacobs	vs. WAS	-
24	Thomas Jones	vs. DEN	-
25	LaDainian Tomlinson	at NE	-
26	Shonn Greene	at NE	-
27	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	vs. NYJ	-
28	Brian Westbrook	at GB	Probable(ankle)
29	Ronnie Brown	vs. CLE	-
30	Chris Ivory	at CIN	-
31	Danny Woodhead	vs. NYJ	-
32	Ryan Mathews	vs. OAK	Probable(ankle)
33	Brandon Jackson	vs. SF	-
34	Beanie Wells	vs. STL	-
35	Mike Hart	vs. DAL	Questionable(ankle)
36	Reggie Bush	at CIN	-
37	James Davis	at NYG	-
38	Darren Sproles	vs. OAK	-
39	Anthony Dixon	at GB	-
40	Donald Brown	vs. DAL	-
41	Marshawn Lynch	vs. CAR	-
42	Keiland Williams	at NYG	-
43	Maurice Morris	vs. CHI	-
44	Toby Gerhart	vs. BUF	-
45	Ricky Williams	vs. CLE	-
46	Pierre Thomas	at CIN	Sidelined(ankle)
47	Tashard Choice	at IND	-
48	Cadillac Williams	vs. ATL	Probable(ribs)
49	Tim Hightower	vs. STL	-
50	Willis McGahee	vs. PIT	-
51	Justin Forsett	vs. CAR	-
52	Jahvid Best	vs. CHI	Probable(toe)
53	C.J. Spiller	at MIN	Probable(hamstring)
54	Michael Bush	at SD	-
55	Chester Taylor	at DET	-
56	Bernard Scott	vs. NO	-
57	Derrick Ward	at PHI	-
58	Jerome Harrison	vs. HOU	-
59	Julius Jones	at CIN	-
60	Javarris James	vs. DAL	-

RB Notes: The longest Raiders drive last week in their first seven tries was four plays. Darren McFadden isn't finishing runs the same way he used to and the offensive line has struggled. He's a risky RB2 that only ranks that high because he can catch the ball. The Chargers are among the best teams defending the run. … It's a concern for Rashard Mendenhall that he is coming off a 36-carry week. At least the Ravens rush defense isn't as good as it once was. … Ahmad Bradshaw was very active as a "backup" last week and was in near the goal line a few times. New York's offensive line was predictably out of synch last week though.

Jacksonville's rush defense is playing better, but Chris Johnson should be fine with Rusty Smith now out of the lineup again. … One reason why the Patriots running game has been surprisingly effective: They don't have negative plays. Both Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis rank in the top seven in fewest "stuffs" per carry. Chris Johnson has been stuffed 30 times this season; Rashard Mendenhall is next with 29. With Mendenhall, that's a sign of poor blocking. ... Only the Chargers have run a higher percentage of time the last month than the Bears. It should be a big week for Matt Forte. … The top-13 running backs all feel like top-5 type plays. Knowshon Moreno is on fire and should not be on any benches. LeSean McCoy has done too much to possibly sit against Houston.

Only one running back has scored more fantasy points over the last five weeks than Fred Jackson. He's matchup-proof and the Vikings are no longer that tough a matchup anyway. … It's right around pick 18 that things get dicey this week. I like both Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson against a poor Seattle rush defense. Goodson got the majority of touches last week and is the better PPR bet. Stewart finally looked like the guy you drafted last week. … the Patriots rush defense is decent (average) and the Jets rushing attack hasn't looked that impressive in recent weeks. I think that game will be lower scoring than expected.

The rankings have Mike Hart in, which knocks Donald Brown down. In a similar vein, Ryan Mathews is in, but Mike Tolbert is ranked much higher. … Beanie Wells is on my do not play list at this point. … Keep an eye on Brian Westbrook's practices this week. … If Pierre Thomas doesn't play, move Chris Ivory up the list. … Adrian Peterson looks like a pretty safe bet to start.

Week 13 Wide Receivers

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Roddy White	at TB	Probable(knee)
2	Dwayne Bowe	vs. DEN	-
3	Andre Johnson	at PHI	-
4	DeSean Jackson	vs. HOU	-
5	Brandon Lloyd	at KC	-
6	Greg Jennings	vs. SF	Probable(foot)
7	Reggie Wayne	vs. DAL	Questionable(knee)
8	Marques Colston	at CIN	-
9	Jeremy Maclin	vs. HOU	-
10	Larry Fitzgerald	vs. STL	-
11	Santonio Holmes	at NE	-
12	Mario Manningham	vs. WAS	-
13	Miles Austin	at IND	-
14	Steve Johnson	at MIN	-
15	Calvin Johnson	vs. CHI	-
16	Mike Wallace	at BAL	-
17	Mike Williams	vs. ATL	-
18	Anquan Boldin	vs. PIT	-
19	Percy Harvin	vs. BUF	Questionable(head)
20	Terrell Owens	vs. NO	-
21	Johnny Knox	at DET	-
22	Braylon Edwards	at NE	-
23	Pierre Garcon	vs. DAL	-
24	Hines Ward	at BAL	-
25	Dez Bryant	at IND	Probable(ankle)
26	Brandon Marshall	vs. CLE	Questionable(hamstring)
27	Michael Crabtree	at GB	-
28	Wes Welker	vs. NYJ	-
29	Sidney Rice	vs. BUF	Probable(hip)
30	Chad Ochocinco	vs. NO	-
31	Mike Thomas	at TEN	-
32	Santana Moss	at NYG	Questionable(hamstring)
33	Mike Williams	vs. CAR	Questionable(foot)
34	James Jones	vs. SF	-
35	Blair White	vs. DAL	-
36	Randy Moss	vs. JAC	-
37	Steve Breaston	vs. STL	Probable(knee)
38	Ben Obomanu	vs. CAR	-
39	Derrick Mason	vs. PIT	Probable(flu)
40	Danny Amendola	at ARZ	-
41	Steve Smith	at SEA	-
42	Davone Bess	vs. CLE	-
43	Lee Evans	at MIN	-
44	Jason Avant	vs. HOU	-
45	Robert Meachem	at CIN	-
46	Jacoby Ford	at SD	-
47	Danario Alexander	at ARZ	-
48	Deion Branch	vs. NYJ	-
49	Eddie Royal	at KC	-
50	Malcom Floyd	vs. OAK	Questionable(hamstring)
51	Legedu Naanee	vs. OAK	-
52	Nate Burleson	vs. CHI	Probable(hamstring)
53	Lance Moore	at CIN	-
54	Jabar Gaffney	at KC	-
55	Earl Bennett	at DET	-
56	Nate Washington	vs. JAC	-
57	Donald Driver	vs. SF	-
58	Derek Hagan	vs. WAS	-
59	Louis Murphy	at SD	-
60	Laurent Robinson	at ARZ	-
61	Brian Hartline	vs. CLE	-
62	Brandon Gibson	at ARZ	-
63	Devery Henderson	at CIN	-
64	Devin Hester	at DET	-
65	Jerricho Cotchery	at NE	Probable(groin)
66	Kevin Walter	at PHI	Questionable(calf)
67	Roy Williams	at IND	-

WR Notes: To drop five passes, you have to be targeted a lot. Look for Ryan Fitzpatrick to get Stevie Johnson back in the right frame of mind Sunday against a shaky Vikings secondary. You could do worse than Lee Evans as a desperation flex just because of the matchup. … Reggie Wayne doesn't get vertical like he used to, but it doesn't matter against the Cowboys. No one gives up more points to fantasy wideouts. … Since Devin McCourty stays on one side of the field, Santonio Holmes is a reasonable safe play. … Dez Bryant is more like a WR2/3 after his slow weeks, but he should still be in most lineups.

Big Mike Williams is ranked as if he's playing. I don't think his presence would crush Ben Obomanu's sleeper value. … Randy Moss is ranked as if Kerry Collins is playing. Using Moss as a WR3 is an act of faith at this point, but the matchup is right. … I'd worry about Darrelle Revis shutting down Wes Welker. … The Vikings are a different team at home, which is why Sidney Rice still gets some WR3 love.

Mike Sims-Walker looked healthy last week, but Mike Thomas has really been the lead receiver in Jacksonville. … Danario Alexander doesn't get enough snaps to play him. … Jacoby Ford is going to be a very interesting pick next year. You can't trust him with the way Oakland's passing attack is looking. … Deion Branch's production is too unpredictable to use him. He's a bench guy in fantasy leagues, if that. … Kenny Britt is a longshot to play this week, but he's a good stash.

Week 13 Tight Ends

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Jacob Tamme	vs. DAL	-
2	Antonio Gates	vs. OAK	Questionable(foot)
3	Jason Witten	at IND	-
4	Dustin Keller	at NE	-
5	Vernon Davis	at GB	-
6	Chris Cooley	at NYG	-
7	Marcedes Lewis	at TEN	-
8	Tony Gonzalez	at TB	-
9	Visanthe Shiancoe	vs. BUF	-
10	Brent Celek	vs. HOU	-
11	Kevin Boss	vs. WAS	-
12	Brandon Pettigrew	vs. CHI	-
13	Todd Heap	vs. PIT	-
14	Joel Dreessen	at PHI	Probable(knee)
15	Kellen Winslow	vs. ATL	Probable(knee)
16	Zach Miller	at SD	Questionable(foot)
17	Heath Miller	at BAL	-
18	Jermaine Gresham	vs. NO	-
19	Ben Watson	at MIA	-
20	Greg Olsen	at DET	-
21	Tony Moeaki	vs. DEN	-
22	Jimmy Graham	at CIN	-
23	Rob Gronkowski	vs. NYJ	-
24	Aaron Hernandez	vs. NYJ	-
25	Anthony Fasano	vs. CLE	-
26	Bo Scaife	vs. JAC	Sidelined(head)
27	David Thomas	at CIN	-

Week 13 Team Defense

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Bears Def/Spec Team	at DET	-
2	Chargers Def/Spec Team	vs. OAK	-
3	Giants Def/Spec Team	vs. WAS	-
4	Saints Def/Spec Team	at CIN	-
5	Packers Def/Spec Team	vs. SF	-
6	Dolphins Def/Spec Team	vs. CLE	-
7	Eagles Def/Spec Team	vs. HOU	-
8	Steelers Def/Spec Team	at BAL	-
9	Ravens Def/Spec Team	vs. PIT	-
10	Rams Def/Spec Team	at ARZ	-
11	Titans Def/Spec Team	vs. JAC	-
12	Vikings Def/Spec Team	vs. BUF	-
13	Jets Def/Spec Team	at NE	-
14	Patriots Def/Spec Team	vs. NYJ	-
15	Seahawks Def/Spec Team	vs. CAR	-
16	Lions Def/Spec Team	vs. CHI	-
17	Falcons Def/Spec Team	at TB	-
18	Jaguars Def/Spec Team	at TEN	-
19	Chiefs Def/Spec Team	vs. DEN	-
20	Fortyniners Def/Spec Team	at GB	-
21	Redskins Def/Spec Team	at NYG	-
22	Raiders Def/Spec Team	at SD	-
23	Browns Def/Spec Team	at MIA	-
24	Colts Def/Spec Team	vs. DAL	-
25	Panthers Def/Spec Team	at SEA	-
26	Bills Def/Spec Team	at MIN	-
27	Cowboys Def/Spec Team	at IND	-
28	Cardinals Def/Spec Team	vs. STL	-
29	Buccaneers Def/Spec Team	vs. ATL	-
30	Bengals Def/Spec Team	vs. NO	-
31	Texans Def/Spec Team	at PHI	-
32	Broncos Def/Spec Team	at KC	-

Week 13 Kickers

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	David Akers	vs. HOU	-
2	Nate Kaeding	vs. OAK	-
3	Adam Vinatieri	vs. DAL	-
4	Garrett Hartley	at CIN	-
5	Mason Crosby	vs. SF	-
6	Josh Brown	at ARZ	-
7	Neil Rackers	at PHI	-
8	Robbie Gould	at DET	-
9	Ryan Longwell	vs. BUF	-
10	Matt Prater	at KC	-
11	Josh Scobee	at TEN	-
12	Lawrence Tynes	vs. WAS	-
13	Olindo Mare	vs. CAR	-
14	Matt Bryant	at TB	-
15	Dan Carpenter	vs. CLE	-
16	Rob Bironas	vs. JAC	-
17	Sebastian Janikowski	at SD	-
18	Ryan Succop	vs. DEN	-
19	Shayne Graham	vs. NYJ	-
20	Shaun Suisham	at BAL	-
21	Billy Cundiff	vs. PIT	-
22	Rian Lindell	at MIN	-
23	Joe Nedney	at GB
24	Phil Dawson	at MIA	-
25	David Buehler	at IND	-
26	Jay Feely	vs. STL	-
27	John Kasay	at SEA	-
28	Graham Gano	at NYG	-
29	Dave Rayner	vs. CHI	-
30	Connor Barth	vs. ATL	-
31	Clint Stitser	vs. NO	-
32	Nick Folk	at NE	-