The great game that is fantasy football is rarely dull. By that I mean, it’s hard as snit to predict what you’re gonna get from week to week, even when you have the studliest of studs in your lineup. Just ask any person who drafted Aaron Rodgers how the first few weeks of the season felt or a Drew Brees owner if they missed the playoffs when he dropped a 5 INT, 0 TD pass for the first time in 54 games last week. No matter how much you want to say ‘I’ve got this in the bag, look at this team’, every week is a re-evaluation of what you have and what your guys are gonna do based on the natural ebb and flow of the game. For that reason, I have annointed Alfred Morris in my top 5 for the week. Brazen, you say? Possibly, but ever since Pierre Garcon has come back healthy, Washington has been able to run the ball – and run it effectively – in the 4th quarter. The team is hitting a very good stride over the last few weeks and have stayed close enough in games that it’s feasible to hand off to their running back over 20 times and that’s all a guy like Morris really needs to put up a solid line against a Ravens defense that hasn’t been the best in terms of stopping the ground game. Now of course, this could all come tumbling down if the Redskins are down by two touchdowns late in the second half. You’ll never find Morris involved in the passing game much. But if he gets a touchdown and 120 yards on the ground on the day, it’s not going to surprise me. Outside of that, Knowshon Moreno is sniffing around outside RB1 status this week for me while Josh Gordon streaks into WR2 territory. And for something that no one will see because I didn’t rank them, consensus says the Buccaneers D/ST is 8th. Clearly I disagreed. And with that, let’s get on with the rankings for week 14 of 2012 fantasy football…
Having trouble picking 3 WR in a non-PPR format.
Colston, Garcon, TY Hilton, Torrey Smith, Chris Givens
Colston and Garcon are pretty much locks so really it’s just between Hilton, Smith, and Givens.
@TheEvilEmpire: I like Torrey’s matchup this week, I’d give him a go.
I can’t see the rankings on my iPad.
@Mike: Unfortunately, there’s something wrong on the fantasypros end for weekly rankings. Hopefully we get it fixed up shortly.
new format = horrible
probably more functional and maybe it’s just that i don’t adapt to change very well but it’s an eyesore to look at so if the content is not exemplary then i will be perusing other websites for my daily dose of fantasy goodness
please let grey and the rest of the crew know as i’m a boss when it comes to this stuff
@Tony Starks:
Agreed. I miss the old format.
@Tony Starks: Sorry to hear that Iron Man. Hopefully we’re exemplary from here on out. I’ll pass on the verbage to Grey.
@Tony Starks: I can dig it – change is inevitable!
Moreno or Murray?
@Smitty: I have them really close in my rankings this week, but I’d lean Moreno. Love the matchup.
also, where the h3ll are the rankings? i don’t see them anywhere on this page.
that’s it. i love you guys and appreciate your disdain for espn as much as the next guy and also value your humor and lightheartedness of all that is fantasy sports, BUT new less aesthetically pleasing format and now can’t find the rankings anywhere and you’re leaving me no choice but to start following jerks like aj masshole at the worldwide leader (in self-indulgence)
@Tony Starks: We don’t really have much control over how well fantasypros runs their site we’re using code off of them. Hopefully it’s up here shortly once they let me know what’s wrong with the code.
To quote Third Eye Blind, I wish you would step back from that masshole, my friend.
Glad I’m not the only one who can’t find/see the rankings. I’m not going to go as far as to say I’ll no longer regular the site, but weekly rankings are pretty critical, no?
@Denny: They are, hopefully fantasypros gets the glitch fixed. We’re literally copying and pasting code. If it’s not working code then we need some assistance from them.
.5 PPR, need 1 WR and a flex: Avery, Givens, McFadden. Playing a strong team, so I need to swing for the fences.
@Steve Stevenson: add DX to that mix as well
@Steve Stevenson: DX and Avery there for me. Not sure how much I trust McFadden and he doesn’t have a good matchup this week.
Outraged fans are outraged.
I think something probably got scrambled juding by the // at the bottom where you might expect rankings. I am sure they will be available before tonight.
I like the new format just fine.
@southwick: Hey, no pitchforks or torches here, I’m safe for a bit!
Glad you’re good with the new format. Contacting fantasypros to figure out what’s wrong with the embed code for rankings today. It’s really a copy and paste thing. If it’s not showing up, either their code is wrong or something with the new wordpress version we’re using will need a tweak.
you suck.
@Chicago Mike: You had me at ‘suck’.
So, I made some nice WW pickups the last couple weeks and have Rice, Bryce, Moreno, and Alf Morris. Can only start 3, leaning towards benching Moreno. That sound right?
@Jayrock: Man, embarrassment of riches there. Moreno/Bryce pretty close for me this week but benching Moreno makes sense.
@Sky:
Ya, I think I gave myself a chance to win it all. Also have Cam, Dez, Witten, and Seattle. But fantasy is a cruel mistress sometimes, so anything can happen.
@Jayrock: Don’t I know it…but man, you definitely have put yourself in the driver’s seat. I wanna see that team win, good luck!
0.5 PPR, bonus point league (100 yards rushing/85 yards receiving = 3 points; 150 yards rushing/135 yards receiving = 6 points). We only have two rounds of playoffs as only 4 teams get in, so they start next week. I’m basically a lock, but would like to win to secure third place (get some money back from my entry fee). Who are you starting – pick 3:
Nicks
Cobb
Garcon
Forte
LeShoure
@Wilsonian: Cobb/Nicks but I have Nicks/Garcon really in the same spot, basically. I’d go Forte for the 3rd.
@Sky: thanks! That’s how I have them. I’ve been flip flopping between playing Garcon and benching one of Cobb, Nicks, or Forte. But like I said, it may or may not matter. But I do appreciate the insight.
No prob and good luck this week!
Just copy and paste the link (http://partners.fantasypros.com/external/widget/nfl-rankings.php?id=272&year=2012&week=14) from that bit of code that is showing into a new window. Winner.
@Ryan: Thanks for the workaround suggestion, Ryan! Hopefully we can get this sorted out fast enough so we don’t have to do that too much, though.
I have limped into the playoffs and need to start 2RBs, 2WRs and one Flex (RB/WR) out of this group:
Lynch
Leshoure
Bilal Powell
DMC
Montell Owens
Turbin
Cruz
Torrey Smith
Golden Tate
Donnie Avery
I’m leaning toward Lynch, Leshoure, Powell, Cruz and Smith – I guess the real question is who to FLEX – what do you think?
@Plainview: I’d probably start Owens over Powell just because of known workload. Hard to beat being the only guy left standing against a weak run DEF. Rest works for me.
One question I have is why is G Tate valued what appears to be fairly low? In my standard scoring ESPN league over the year he is ranked around #25 is scoring total and average. Far ahead of guys like Maclin, Britt, and Givens. He is only 1 pt behind Andre Roberts (though Roberts missed a game).
He is still available in our 12 man league where pretty much everyone well on either side of him is owned. (next available is Brandon Stokely).
Honestly curious why this guy is always on the “eh if you want to” waiver wire list, when guys below him are must owns.
@southwick: In games 3-7 of his season, he didn’t even tally 100 yards and had a goose egg game in there. It’s a consistency thing. He’s been moving up my ranks over the last couple of weeks. Have him in low WR3 status this week but if Sidney’s out, he’ll get a major bump. Took people forever to dive in on Cecil Shorts, too. I’d been ranking him as a high end WR2 since about week 10 and the consensus still had him down at middling WR3 status.
@Sky
Confused to as why you have Kenny Britt so low… since he’s facing Indy this week.
with that said… pick 3 for 0.5 ppr league:
Stevie Johnson
Danario Alexander
Chris Givens
Kenny Britt
Thanks!
Britt is an enigma. He had two great matchups with MIA & JAC and came away with only 5 receptions for 61 yards. The only thing that’s made him look good over the last two weeks are the touchdowns and you can’t count on that with how inaccurate Locker is and how inconsistent Britt has been all year, even with a cush matchup.
If Stevie’s healthy enough to go, I say him and the next two you’ve listed.
Have to start one of these studs
Maclin @TB
Wright @Ind
Heyward-Bey Den
Tate Ari
(pick one)
For me, it’s Wright only if Sidney Rice is healthy and playing. If not, I’d go Tate.
@Hawk Harrelson: Studs??
1ppr btw
Ayo son,
Ionno what to do this week, my rb pimp cup runneth over like a mufugga and I been smokin too much backyard boogie this week to make a decision so help the god out. Pick 3, A.Morris, F.Gore, Spiller, or Run (AKA Hobble) DMC?
Peace
Normally, the guy with the best rap reference would almost have to start given your commentary, but sit the hobbler.
@Sky: Word, I was thinkin the same thing but I feel like DMC and Gore have bad matchups but yeah, Gore is healthy and isn’t really competing with any cockblockers like Bitc… Err I mean McFadden has to. Good looks.
Avery
Fitzgerald (Skelton rejuvenation)
Austin
Bowe
0.5 PPR
(Pick one)
He was still just a’ight when Skelton was around, but you already knew that Wisenhunt! I’d go Austin there.
Hey sky,
I picked up the bills D for this week thinking at the time they’ll do well against STL without Amendola (now he’s questionable). You don’t have them ranked and other rankings have them pretty low.. Should I drop them for a different D? Available ones are Atl, TB, IND, Jags, Dallas, Min. Any of these you think I should definitely go for?
Thanks!
@Joe F: Yeah, I don’t trust the Bills and STL really isn’t that bad offensively. I’d go ATL there. DAL/MIN are my gut calls of the week.
PPR League
So far my line up is:
Brees
Nicks
Jones
Gore
LeShore
Myers
Turner
bench: Wallace, Shorts, Bennett, Gates, Floyd
I might could get Gordon off waivers.
My flex is the spot that concerns me as Turner could be high risk high reward. What would you do there if Gordon is available and if he is not?
Thanks
@Matt: Assuming that’s James Jones, I’d like Gordon in over him this week. Nice matchup and Jones is hard to nail down in terms of week to week production. If you don’t get Gordon, I’d still put in Cecil over Jones if Cecil is healthy enough to play. Feel he’s earned trust over the last 6 weeks. Rest looks fine to me.
Sorry, Julio Jones
@Matt: In that case, you’re spot on. Gordon would be a nice gamble over Turner but I wouldn’t advise it.
I have Julio Jones, Torrey Smith, Danario Alexander starting this week I also have Chris Givens on the bench if Amendola is ruled out for this week should I start Givens in place of one of the others if so who do I replace.
@HP2: Even though I don’t like DX’s matchup, I feel he’s earned the trust to be started over Givens even if Amendola is out.
If it ain’t broke…
Did you guys tried your new design on an iphone? Well, let me tell you IT DOESN’T WORK.
The tables don’t display, it takes forever to load and before it does the entire screen shows black (impossible to read). You better do something if you wanna keep us reading your marvelous content.
@rasta: We needed to see it in action…We’re putting together a mobile solution this week… Things take a few days… Sorry, it’s in the works…
@rasta: Thanks for the feedback, we’ll see what we can do regarding the iphone issues.
@Sky: Great! Thanks for everything.
No prob, glad the fix was sooner rather than later!
.5 PPR League
Already starting Marshall and Garcon as my 2 WR.
I have two Flex positions: one W/R and one W/T.
Assuming everyone is healthy, who do I start?
Ridley @ Hou
Stevie Johnson @ Stl
Steve Smith @ Atl
Cecil Shorts @ NYJ
Also, with Harvin on the IR, I have room to pick up an extra receiver.
Josh Gordon and Donnie Avery are both available. Do I grab one of them or another D/ST to play match ups for the playoffs? I currently have Seattle’s D.
Thanks in advance
@J Money: I’d go Cecil and Ridley
Sounds like you have a rotatable roster spot. Ride Seattle this week and pick up Gordon. Then figure out your needs for week 15 when it gets here.
@Sky: Thanks for the advice Sky. First time playing fantasy football this year and you guys have been a big help in my success.
That’s awesome to hear. Thanks for reading and good luck this week!
Would you start Sproles, Crabtree, or Larry Fitzgerald at Flex in a .5 PPR league. I know you have Fitzgerald lower than Crabtree, I just wanted to point out how useless he is.
@Nick: No Lindley and Skelton are useless! One of the best route runners and hardest working receivers keeps getting the ball thrown a million miles away from him when he’s open. That’s just pathetic QB work right there.
I’ll take Sproles a bit over Crabtree while throwing something at Skelton’s head.
Which two to start?
Denario Alexander
Josh Gordon
Mike Williams
Mike Wallace
Amendola
DX/Gordon
I’m having trouble convincing myself to start Torrey Smith over Colston in my PPR league. Can someone convince me?
Colston has the higher floor but I’d say Smith with the Redskins on tap has the higher ceiling. Smith has two 2 TD games this year. I could see him having a third this week.
Great article as usual. I’m in the playoffs and I have a few good running backs to start this week. I’m in a PPR league and I’m wondering should I start bryce brown or CJ Spiller? I can play two Rbs and Trent Richardson is my starter and I have used Spiller the last few weeks. My thoughts are to continue with the Richardson/Spiller train. I get a little nervous with Chan Gailey as he has some kind of “man-crush” on fred Jackson. What are your thoughts?
Thanks! I have CJ 8 and Bryce 10 so I’m not going to say I have a huge dividing line between them this week. CJ has still been playing well even with F-Jax in the mix. I’d still lean his way.
@Guru from Kzoo:
Chan Gailey just doesn’t trust Spiller in the redzone. Why? No idea but he has only had 20 carries for 0 TD’s when inside the 20. Heck they even trust Tashard Choice more than they do Spiller when it comes to the goal line. It limits his upside as a solid #1 RB but he is still an amazing talent and at any point he can break off that big run so he has to be in your line up.
Not a fan of the new format personally. Its like movie’s the original is always the best sequels just never do it…
Well, hopefully we are more Terminator 2 than Dumb & Dumberer over time…
@Sky:
haha yeah not Dumb and Dumberer bad not like the format makes a huge difference it’s mostly about content in the FFB community.
No big deal just casting my ballot it did seem like an unoffical vote was taking place in the above comments.
Cool, yeah I knew you were just throwing in the two cents on the whole thing. It’s weird, it’s been this way all week and this is the first post where the opinions become a huge flood.
Completely cool with the chime ins, hopefully people settle in on the new format. It’s hard ordering a pizza for three people, let alone thousands.
@Sky:
Agreed, and like I said format shouldn’t matter too much for most of us. It’s all about the quality of the information that is put forth not in the way it is presented. Good luck in your struggle to make everyone happy but in my opinion you guys have been doing a great job all season. FFB players rarely take the time to show their appreciation for the hard work and time that goes into the weekly analysis and predictions in this crazy game.
Hey thanks, Murph! Glad to’ve had you around this season in return. BTW, don’t know if you play any other fantasy sports but our baseball guy runs the site and he’s pretty good (I say that with complete sarcasm, dude is awesome). Might wanna check him out, he’s been keeping up with sleepers/winter trades/rookie projections during our fun in the fantasy football world.
@Sky:
Haven’t got into the FFBB craze yet my knowlege lies in football so I stick mainly to that so I can keep my sanity for at least 3/4 of the year and although it’s a complete nightmare I enjoy the head to head scoring over total points. Just adds the extra excitment factor I beleive this is why FFB has become the most popular of them all as of late. I will definately check it out I could truly be missing out. What’s the deal with the Razzball commentor’s league? I think I missed out this year but will hopefully secure a spot to back up all my rambling this year…
Cool, yeah, if you want insanity all year, you really should give him a read. I do agree, the excitement factor – not to mention it takes less time to manage a roster in football than baseball – adds to it being ‘the’ fantasy sport of choice.
Basically, we have commenters start up leagues based on particular settings we post to the site. Then everyone dukes it out and Rudy Gamble – background techie guy – has a special formula that devises the winningest winner of all the winners. We give out prizes to the top guy. This year we did a beer trophy and a Razzball jumpsuit which will have the Razzball logo where it normally says ‘juicy’ on the sweatpants. Don’t know what next year will be right now. Maybe tattooes…
Start 3 out of:
Ridley vs HOU
Joique Bell at GB
Danario Alexander at Pit
Britt at IND
Gates at PIT
I’d play the top 3 there.
@Sky:
thats who i’ve got.
i guess am considering Britt over one of them though
He’s been bailed out by touchdowns the last two weeks. If you don’t look at those, here’s his statlines by rec/yards over the last 5 weeks:
2/40
3/25
2/36
5/67
3/34
Just don’t trust him.
Talk to me about the bump you gave Celek. I also have Heath Miller but was not considering Celek – what are you seeing there?
I’m seeing a guy who went 7/73 against one of the worst defenses to start a TE against who now faces a team in the Buccs who give up plenty of fantasy points through the air. Feel Foles is looking for quick outs and has focused his attention on Celek. Probably not a touchdown here but a Witten-lite game could be on the horizon. Just don’t trust Big Ben’s healthy/Batch if he isn’t going this week.
So I see you hate Matthews. I feel like he’s going to blow up one of these weeks and it could be this one (the most unexpected vs. PIT) especially if I bench him.
PPR – Play who?
Matthews
Alex Green
Montell Owens
Hate is such a mean word. I like to think I just wouldn’t invite him to my birthday party but would still accept a birthday card from him. Owens has a better matchup and the same role of being ‘the guy’ at RB for his team. I’d give him a go so that Mathews can blow up on your bench against PIT, as you predict.
@Sky:
You save your “hate” for Michael Turner
Even seeing his name makes my blood boil.
firstly, rudolph or finley at te? also, of avery, gordon, wallace, Antonion Brown which two do you want as WR 2 & 3. I have Gordon and Avery in, but I also have a feeling Wallace is going to have a big week. He’s too good to be quiet for so long. To my mind he’s the most upside.
Rudolph
Gordon/Avery I like. Don’t trust Big Ben. I need to see a good week from him before I put any of his guys out on the field.
@Sky: I had the same TE question. Expanded though – should I outright drop Finley for Rudolph? I wont be able to get Finley back.
@Carl Weathers: I see no problem doing that, personally.
Playing #1 seed and looking for as much upside as possible, pick a starting WR and Flex out of:
Mike Wallace v. SD
Denarius Moore v. Den
Joique Bell @ GB
Jacquizz Rodgers @Car
Sorry I missed this one if you already set but I would have said DMoore/Rodgers there.
.5 PPR, TE options are poopy: Gates, Lewis, Cook, or Clark. Have Lewis in there now but have been tempted by Cook’s talent for 3 years, and with the new OC and the targets he’s pulling at me again…
Tell him to let go. Stay Lewis. I don’t trust Cook’s usage.
I have Ballard, Dwyer, Fred Jackson and Demarco Murray
need to start 3
Any help? Thank you
@tron: I have them ranked Murray/F-Jax/Dwyer/Ballard above. Outside of Murray, I seem the all as low end RB2/high end flex plays.
@Sky:
Ballard lowest even w/ donald brown is inactive?
@tron:
oh yeah, Thank you
@tron: Brown was basically inactive last week and Ballard still only had a little over 60 yards. I do really like Ballard but the Colts are a pass-heavy offense and he just scored his first rushing TD of the season.
oh and no problem :)
Hi, why the poor ranking for S.Rice? he practiced fully yesterday. would you bench his as a WR3 (.5PPR) even if he suits up? Do you also trust Shorts to repeat his past production if he plays Or do you expect them both to be foggy? I have Megatron as WR1. And have Givens, Avery, Maclin as reserves. If Amendola Plays do you auto sit Givens? Whod you start as your WR2/3 from those aforementioned WRs. Thanks
@timmy riggins: I don’t see a heavy passing game coming from the Seahawks this weekend against a team just dropped 2 FGs on the Jets. Think this game is over before halftime. Rice might score a touchdown and gain 60 yards or he might not need to be very active in the flow of things at all.
If Shorts is healthy, he’s done nothing to ruin trust over the last 6 weeks. I’d want him and Avery.
@Sky: and if shorts sits? and would you only play givens if amendola is out? Thanks again (saw your updated post response too)
@timmy riggins: If Cecil’s a no go, I’m fine with Givens if Amendola is out. Don’t trust him if Danny’s playing. Would rather go with Sidney’s higher floor.
@Sky: thanks, fyi shorts has been ruled out
Well there goes one of my teams…
I also have both Amendola and Givens…. I’m playing Givens if Amendola is out… but if amendola plays? then what?!?! GAWD!
@and1mcgee: Calm down, Napolean Dynamite! If he’s healthy, go Amendola.
hey hey hey hey need help here-Freeman or Matty Ryan this week?
I cant make up my mind and its driving me cray (as the kids would say)
@Mr Belding: I don’t remember Zack or AC saying that…was it Screech?
Freeman ranked 7th, Matt ranked 10th this week for me so it has to be Freeman.
Matt Ryan or Josh freeman?
Ryan slumping but freeman has a dream matchup.
@Jim: I ranked them Freeman 7th and Ryan 10th in the weekly rankings above so I’d have to say Freeman…
bucs D or Bills D this week? hurry!!
Sorry, this one went into pending. Would’ve Said Buccs.