I was able to secure the No. 4 seed in my league with a not so eye-popping 8-5 record. But it's all about making the tournament. Anything can happen now. Here's a recap of Week 13's biggest performances and my Week 14 likes.
Best of Week 13
DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Houston) –Hopkins recorded single-game career bests in receptions (9), receiving yards (238) and receiving touchdowns (2) for his sixth double-digit outing of the season.
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Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, Houston) – **If you were in desperate need for a quarterback last week and you picked him up, you were rewarded. He had arguably the best game of his career as he threw for six scores and 358 yards.
Tre Mason (RB, St. Louis) –The rookie has come on strong the last three weeks and is ending his first season on a high note. He totaled 117 rushing yards, 47 receiving yards and three scores.
Le'Veon Bell (RB, Pittsburgh) –Bell rushed for 95 yards with one touchdown and he also recorded 159 receiving yards, the most receiving yards by a Steelers' running back in team history.
Andrew Luck (QB, Indianapolis) –My No. 1 rated quarterback last week threw for 370 yards and five touchdowns and he added 20 rushing yards in a 49-27 win vs. Washington.
Week 14 Likes:
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers (vs. Atlanta) –It's close, but I think Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league right now, and he is at home where he has been unstoppable all season. Atlanta's defense has struggled all season, particularly on the road.
Andrew Luck (at Cleveland) –Luck is a gamer. He is a winner. He throws for a ton of yards. Cleveland is still in the hunt but their defense will struggle to contain Luck, who averages more than 370 passing yards per game on the road this season.
Drew Brees (vs. Carolina) –Brees last week threw for five scores and led his team to a huge win. Now he's back in the Superdome in an NFC South clash with Carolina. Carolina's defense will have to play their best game of the season to stop Brees this week.
Running Backs
Le'Veon Bell (at Cincinnati) –Ultimately, this game will come down to Ben Roethlisberger and his ability to win the game. But Bell will play a huge part in that. He's too good in the run game and in the pass game to not be the best running back option.
Justin Forsett (at Miami) –He has three straight 100-yard games and he will face a team that has given up nearly 400 rushing yards in their last two games. Besides Bell, Forsett has been the best running back in the league the last three weeks.
Mark Ingram (vs. Carolina) –I expect Drew Brees to have a big game, and Ingram will too. Carolina's defense has struggled to stop the run. That trend will continue this Sunday as they go up against a strong rushing attack led by Ingram.
Wide Receivers
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Jordy Nelson/Randall Cobb (vs. Atlanta) –** Atlanta's defense gives up the most total net yards per game and the most net passing yards per game in the league. Rodgers will have a big game and these two wide receivers will be rewarded.
Odell Beckham Jr. (at Tennessee) –Beckham Jr. hasn't totaled less than 90 receiving yards in his last five games and has three 100-yard games in that span. Tennessee's pass defense is average but they got torched last week by the Texans.
T.Y. Hilton (at Cleveland) –Andrew Luck, his quarterback, has been great on the road this season. Hilton has scored in four of his last five games. Luck and Hilton will work their magic yet again and will crush Cleveland's playoff hopes in the process.
Tight Ends
Coby Fleener (at Cleveland) –This is my third Colt on the list because I truly believe Indianapolis will have a huge day offensively. Fleener has two 100-yard games in his last three outings.
Antonio Gates (vs. New England) –This is my upset pick of the week, the Chargers over the Patriots. I think Gates is the x-factor in this matchup and a late touchdown by him seals the victory.
Jermaine Gresham (vs. Pittsburgh) –The Steelers have given up a touchdown to an opposing tight end in five straight games and have struggled covering tight ends all season.
Defense/Special Teams
Detroit Lions (vs. Tampa Bay) –I'm not sold on the Lions' offense, but their defense is legit. Tampa Bay will struggle to move the football.
Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland) –Whether it's Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel starting, the Browns still won't be able to move the ball against the Colts.
Minnesota Vikings (vs. N.Y. Jets) –Minnesota's defense/special teams have totaled at least 15 fantasy points in three of their last six games. The Jets will have no answers.
Kicker
Mason Crosby (vs. Atlanta) –Crosby has double-digit points in four of his last five games.
Connor Barth (vs. Buffalo) –With the amount of points Denver scores, Barth will benefit.
Mike Nugent or Shaun Suisham (Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh) –I expect many field goal opportunities for these two.
