Monday Night Football is all about the narrative, whatever that narrative might be. What story could we blatantly exacerbate that builds up what was already a notable game between two playoff bound teams in the Saints and the Seahawks you ask? Well why not talk about the shorties on the field, right? Where’s T-Pain when you need him? I ask because Russell Wilson needs an auto-tuned ballad rapped about his abilities to play bigger than he really is. Tonight’s matchup was all about featuring the little guy as RW3 was pitted against DB9 in a battle that would ultimately clear the argument: who really was the world’s tallest midget QB? I keed, of course. I’m just blathering about pointless conjecture. I don’t care how tall you are at QB, I just want you to ball dawg. Russell Wilson proved tonight that not every short QB from Seattle played like Rick Mirer as he went for 310 passing yards on 22/30 to go with 47 yards rushing and 3 passing TDs. Now I got a weird look when I put @DangerRussWilson #3 in the weekly rankings but maybe I’ve been too clued into what he’s been doing of late and y’all have not. I just don’t know.  What I do know is coming into week 13, he’d been on fire and I couldn’t ignore that given he was at home in a marquee matchup on Monday Night Football. Minus his bye week, RW3 has been a top 10 QB over the last 4 weeks heading into MNF and he kept that trend, finishing 2nd in scoring by ESPN standards. Moving forward, the only worry I have is a letdown game in week 15 if the Seahawks triumph against the 49ers in San Fran but the road to a decent end to the year seems well within reach. I had him ranked as the 6th best QB heading into the year. He was 8th heading into MNF after everyone else had played. Something tells me that call wasn’t too far off now like many may have perceived. Don’t worry, I made up for it by putting Robert Griffin, III 5th, of course. Neverthewho! Here’s what else I saw in the game for 2013 Fantasy Football…
Jimmy Graham – Was pretty much the Saints offense on the night with 3/42/1 on 9 targets. Hey, it was a perfect storm with the ‘hawks coming off bye and playing at home so there’s not much else to be said. The 9 targets were a good sign. Not sure what the snap count was but at least we greedy fantasy football peeps know this loss makes NO playing the year out that much more important for them in terms of playoffs. So go selfish us!
Zach Miller – Doing his best to star in ‘Whose Line Is it Anyways’, Miller did his best Graham impersonation with a 5/86/1 line for the night. It’s that time of year where you start looking for help via under the radar production. Either Wilson has just figured out Miller ain’t a bad receiving TE or the offense is featuring him more. Either way, minus a week 10 gaffe, Miller has been floating around the playable TE perimeter over the last few weeks. I’m still not picking him up anywhere but I will say I’ve circled him for a Thinking Forward piece for next week due to this output. Stay tuned!
Drew Brees – Now I’m not patting myself on the back just yet but I said he was a SELL for his stretch run and tonight’s stats were a good example of why: 23/38 for 147, a passing TD and a fumble. Fun stat for the night, Brees has averaged 15.3 FPPG in his 6 road games this year including MNF. Home games? Well that’s a healthy 26.8. Two of three games on the road to round out the playoffs and the home game is Carolina. It ain’t easy owning D-Breezy.
Marshawn Lynch – Ugh, the 2 TDs saved a mediocre rushing performance against the Vikings in week 11 but no such luck this time around. Lynch finished the night as the second leading rusher…behind RW3 with 45 yards on the ground and finished with 49 total. Not something I’m going to get overly concerned with and I do think he shows up against the 49ers next week but for those who missed out on the playoffs because of this output, feel free to give him a sideline salute.
Percy Harvin – Well there isn’t much to say about the Saints for fantasy tonight now is there? Might as well check in on the medically challenged for the year. They’re giving Harvin a cortisone shot, hoping it helps him play out the regular season but don’t be surprised you feel like taking shots after hearing he won’t be playing until the playoffs. The ‘hawks just won a playoff spot and it’s gonna be hard for any other NFC team to tie them for the best record down the stretch as their closest competitors – Saints & Panthers – play each other twice down the stretch.
Doug Baldwin – Was apprehensive calling him a buy with Harvin coming back. Had 4/77/1 on the night. Welp…
Mark Ingram – Things that you can’t predict: Ingram leading the Saints in both rushing yards and rushing attempts. Granted, it was an ugly night on the ground and all around for the Saints but Ingram was in the game as early as the 2nd quarter so this wasn’t junk time hand off. The Saints just might think Ingram is legit again. I’m scared, y’all.
Alex Tanney – If Brandon Weeden is concussed too much to play this Sunday, this guy is gonna be starting for the Browns. That’s cool and all. I’m pretty sure Weeden could do the same after about 4 hours of editing too, though. Alex probably gets the burger against Mike and Larry either way.
