Fantasy Football Report: Week 13

By Pete Rampino in Fantasy, Featured ⋅ December 3, 2008 at 5:31am ⋅ Post a comment

With the end of Week 13, the fantasy football playoffs have officially begun (SoB league starts in Week 15). Hopefully you were lucky enough to make it. I unfortunately missed the playoffs in one league. Interestingly enough, if I had won just one more matchup, I would have made it to the 8th and final spot. I lost a close matchup 2 weeks ago by less than seven points. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Plaxico Burress Is An Idiot

Already noted here at Sports of Boston, Giants WR Plaxico Burress recently thought it would be a good idea to carry a gun into a public place. He didn’t count on karma showing up and ended up shooting himself in the leg. ESPN.com reports that Burress was placed on injured reserve and suspended thus ending his regular and postseason play.

NFL Suspends Six Players in Steroid Scandal

Deuce McCallister (Saints), Will Smith (Saints), Charles Grant (Saints), Kevin WIlliams (Vikings), Pat Williams (Vikings), and Bryan Pittman (Texans) were all given suspensions on Tuesday for testing positive for illegal substances used to cover up the use of steroids. All players will miss four games (the rest of the regular season) without pay.

Marion Barber Injures Toe

Cowboys RB Marion Barber left last Thursday’s Thanksgiving day game against Seattle with a dislocated toe. Backup RB Tashard Choice replaced him. Barber is expected to start this Sunday.

Week 13 Top Performers

Brian Westbrook (RB), Philadelphia Eagles: An amazing day for Westbrook included four total TD (2 rush, 2 receiving) and his first 100-yd rushing game (110 yds) since Week 8.

Week 14 Outlook: Westbrook faces a killer Giants rush defense that only allows 85.4 rush yds per game.

Mark Clayton (WR), Baltimore Ravens: Out of nowhere, Clayton hauled in five catches for a career high 164 yds and a TD.

Week 14 Outlook: Clayton’s big numbers won’t last, especially against the Redskins. Washington is very good against the pass and allows less than 200 yds to QB’s every week.

DeAngelo Williams (RB), Carolina Panthers: Williams killed me in both of my leagues by rushing for 72 yds and 4 TD.

Week 14 Outlook: Williams and the Panthers face a tough Tampa Bay rush defense on Monday night. The Bucs have only allowed one player to rush for 100 yds all season (Jamaal Charles, Week 9).

Week 13 Duds

Peyton Manning (QB), Indianapolis Colts: The rocket-armed QB couldn’t do anything against Cleveland as he threw for 125 yds and 2 INT with zero TD.

Week 14 Outlook: The Colts offense might get a confidence boost against the 1-10-1 Bengals. Cincinnati allows over 349 yds and 25 points per game.

Matt Cassel (QB), New England Patriots: Cassel’s hot streak ended brutally with 169 yds, zero TD and 2 INT. Added to his misery were two lost fumbles.

Week 14 Outlook: Cassel and the Patriots should get back on track against the Seahawks. Seattle has one of the worst defenses in football with over 260 pass yds, 121 rush yds, and 25 points allowed per game.

Philip Rivers (QB), San Diego Chargers: Rivers threw for only 140 yds and failed to find the end zone for the 2nd time in three weeks.

Week 14 Outlook: The Chargers face Oakland this Thursday. Although Oakland’s rush defense is horrible (over 150 yds allowed per game), their pass defense is surprisingly good with less than 200 yds passing surrendered per contest.

Unexpected Stars

John Carlson (TE), Seattle Seahawks: Carlson proved to be a dependable receiver with 6 catches for 105 yds.

Week 14 Outlook: Seattle faces New England this Sunday. The Patriots give up over 317 yds of total offense per game and they allow over 21 points per game so, they can be beat.

Amani Toomer (WR), New York GIants: Toomer stepped it up with five catches for 85 yds and he scored a TD for the 2nd week in a row.

Week 14 Outlook: The Giants will be challenged by the Philadelphia defense that gives up less than 200 yds passing every week.

Devin Hester (WR), Chicago Bears: The speedy Hester caught three passes for 67 yds and he scored his 3rd TD of the season.

Week 14 Outlook: The Bears face a beatable Jaguars defense that allows 204 pass yds per game but, they are more beatable on the ground with 115 rush yds allowed per game. So expect it to be Matt Forte’s day.

Sports of Boston Friends and Family League

I got steamrolled by SoB’s KC by a score of 138.64-81.76. I remain in 4th place and KC moved back into first.
SoB members and others who are in the football league should be reminded that there are only SIX teams that make the playoffs so, make sure you adjust your commitment properly.
This week’s Thursday game is Oakland at San Diego. If you have any Raiders or Chargers then be sure to play them as you see fit.
Recent pickups include: Davone Bess, Isaac Bruce, Matt Jones, Ken Dorsey, Tashard Choice, and Rob Bironas.

Tags: Brian Westbrook, DeAngelo Williams, Fantasy, Fantasy Football Report, Mark Clayton, Matt Cassel, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers