Fantasy Football Spin on the Best and Worst Performers of Week 14

Every week at FFSpin.com, we take a look back at the week that was in the NFL and pick out the break out and break down performances and provide the Fantasy Football Spin.  Here are some of the best and worst performers of Week 14, along with our short term and long term prognosis. 

The GOOD…

Tim Hightower – This guy made the list last week, sort of.  Beanie Wells made the “bad” list and we highlighted how Hightower had a shot at establishing himself as the man in AZ.  He did just that in week 14.   It’s hard to tell if Wells is “not right” or if he just stinks, but Hightower is the class of the Cardinals backfield right now.  His 18 rush, 148 yard, 2 TD performance should solidify his position as the number one back for the remainder of the year. 

• Final Spin: Hightower owners should be rewarded for sticking with him as he gets to face two below average defenses over the next two weeks.  The Panthers are terrible and have quit.  Hightower should slice up their 22^nd ranked rush defense.  The Cowboys will give a game effort but their defense is poor.  The question in that game will be whether or not the Cowboys turn it into the kind of blowout that demands the Cards abandon the run game.  Even in that event, Hightower should play a role since he is a very good pass catching back.  Hightower is in a contract year, so it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals play this in the off season. 

Kenny Britt – Okay, this is a bit of stretch to call a guy that managed just four catches for 39 yards a surprising success.   Britt being back is a massive playoff boost for fantasy owners.  While Britt hauled in just four passes, he led the team in targets with eight.   He is clearly the primary receiver and with one game under his belt and a week 15 matchup against the pathetic secondary of the Houston Texans, you have to consider him for your starting lineup.

• Final Spin: After facing off against the worst pass defense in the league in week 15, Britt gets another easy matchup in week 16 when the Titans visit the Chiefs and their 22^nd ranked defense.  Heading into the offseason, Britt could be a very good dynasty player depending on who the QB is next year.  It looks like it will be Vince Young and that diminishes the value of Britt.

Hakeem Nicks – Remember when I said that you should be leery of starting wide receivers their first game back from an injury layoff.  I was just, uh, kidding.  Nicks is no ordinary WR and he came back like he never missed a beat.  He posted 7 catches for 96 yards and his numbers could have been higher if the Vikings even threatened to make a game of it. 

• Final Spin:  He is a WR#1.  Don’t even bother looking at the matchups.  This guy can go off in any given game.  Nicks is a must start and high end keeper/dynasty option.  But you didn’t need me to tell you that. 

Rashad Jennings – Wow, 109 yards on just five rushes in week 14 to go along with a three game TD streak.  Jennings has prototypical RB size and speed and he is looking an awful lot like the new Fred Taylor coupled with MJD.  He is getting more touches of late and paying dividends for the Jags.  They will surely see interest from teams around the league, but look for them to keep Jennings and have a great one-two punch in 2011.

• Final Spin: Jennings has the benefit of playing against two of the five worst run defenses over the next couple of weeks.  If you are desperate for a running back or flex play, consider Jennings.  If he can get 10 touches he should produce points and he has a knack for finding the end zone of late.  Keep a close eye on what happens in the off season.  There is a chance that Jennings will really hurt Jones-Drew’s value next year.  He could get enough playing time in 2011 to create a Carolina type situation in Jacksonville.

Ryan Torain – There is no question as to who the lead back is in Washington any longer.  Even Mike Shanahan can’t find a reason to throw us a curve and take this guy off the field.  He was a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating day for the Skins.  The one and only time McNabb ever leads a team from behind, they muff the extra point.  Isn’t that a kick in the ass!  Torain didn’t see the end zone, but he accumulated plenty of points with 174 yards on 24 carries.  He also added 10 yards on 2 catches. 

• Final Spin: Torain looks terrific.  He looks good enough to possibly dissuade the Redskins from seeking a new back in the offseason to lead the rushing attack.  Torain owners may have a nice playoff starter, considering that Torain and the Redskins face the Cowboys and Jaguars in week 15 and 16 and they rank 17^th and 18^th in the league in rush defense, respectively.  You have to consider Torain a low end RB#2 or very good flex play.

Owen Daniels – The awful drops will not show up on the stat sheet and we are not judging the overall performance, just the fantasy production.  Daniels produced as a fantasy player even if he had a rough outing in reality.  Daniels was consistent with the theme that ran through the week: injured player returning to produce good fantasy numbers. 

• Final Spin:  Daniels looked like a TE #1 again.  Hopefully you didn’t follow the advice of some of the more reactionary fantasy “experts” that recommended dropping Daniels.  He is an elite TE when he is healthy.  This has been a rough year for him, coming off of a major knee injury.  We really like Daniels as a dynasty TE.  Barring a setback, we also think Daniels, who has a couple favorable matchups coming up, is a low end TE#1.  

Check out all of the "BAD" right here.