NFL Week 14 Studs & Duds Recap

Taking on this task of identifying those over performers and under performers from the previous week of fantasy football is Ryan Hallam's, creator of Fighting Chance Fantasy. So, join Ryan as he takes us through the Week 14 Winners and Losers.

Note: All point projections read in this recap are from standard scoring leagues (non-PPR) and are projections made by the Bruno Boys staff.

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WEEK 14 OVERACHIEVERS

QUARTERBACKS

Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) – Rivers got the week started off right on Thursday Night Football with his best game in weeks.  Even though the Raiders defense has had some good games, Rivers had a good game fantasy wise as he was 10/22 for 214 yards and three touchdowns.  He also ran the ball five times for another 19 yards.  Rivers did even better than what was expected of him as he tallied 21 fantasy points, which surpassed his projection of 15. 

Hallam's Take:  This was just what the fantasy doctor ordered for Rivers' owners.  It wasn't a lot of yards and he completed less than 50% of his passes, but the three touchdowns makes everyone smile.  His fantasy playoff schedule includes: at Kansas City, at Tampa Bay, and home for Denver.  That middle game is tough but the other two are defenses he should feast on.

Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) – The Texans QB came back after missing another few weeks due to injury and teased his fantasy owners with what they could possibly have if he could stay on the field.  Schaub lit up the Packers as he completed 28 of 42 passes for a week high 414 yards and two touchdowns and just one interception.  He was able to score 22 points, while he was rightfully projected for just 14. 

Hallam's Take:  If he can possibly stay healthy he could be a reasonable option for you in the playoffs even though he doesn't have the easiest schedule.  Schaub will be home for Tennessee, at Oakland, and finishes home against the Bears.  He probably shouldn't be your No. 1 option, but if your lead QB might be sat in the last couple weeks, Schaub would be a great second string option.

Seneca Wallace (Seattle Seahawks) – Who could believe this?  Not only was he only due to start late in the week, but Wallace had to beat the New England Patriots.  Seattle came up just short, but it was no fault of Wallace who was an impressive 20-of-28 for 212 yards and three touchdowns.  He also ran three times for 47 yards but did lose a fumble.  Matt Hasselbeck was projected to score just nine, and Wallace crushed that with a 22 point game. 

Hallam's Take:  If you are playing Wallace at this point of the season your season will be over quickly.  However, since I am listing everyone's schedules, Seattle finishes the season at St. Louis, home for the Jets, and at Arizona.  A VERY favorable schedule for Wallace/Hasselbeck in the last three weeks. 

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RUNNING BACKS

Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) – This is the reason that fantasy owners are willing to live through all the nagging injuries and the game time decisions.  Westbrook rushed 33 times for 131 yards and a touchdown.  He also caught six passes for 72 yards and another score.  Against a tough Giants, defense he was projected for just 14, but left that in the dust with 32 fantasy points. 

Hallam's Take:  Westbrook and the Eagles will finish the season with home games against Cleveland and Dallas sandwiched around a trip to Washington.  Let's just put it this way:  if Westbrook is set to play, he better be in your lineup, as he has proved no matter how questionable he might be, if he is ruled eligible to play he will be the straw that stirs the Eagles' drink. 

Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) — With the future of Deuce McAllister up in the air for the rest of the season, Pierre Thomas is just producing.  Thomas ran the ball 16 times for 102 yards and a touchdown, and also caught a seven yard touchdown pass.  This was an unexpected big game for Thomas as he was projected for only nine, but put up 22 points. 

Hallam's Take: It is obvious that Reggie Bush is not the kind of back that will get 20 carries.  He is more a pass receiver who will also get 8 to 10 carries.  That being said the Saints need a guy who can carry the load and Thomas has staked claim to that job.  He does have two tough games to finish the season though, as they will be at Chicago, at Detroit, home against Carolina.  As a flex player, he could be valuable in the playoffs. 

Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) — As much as I like Matt Forte, say hello to the future 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year.  Johnson continued his impressive first season, as he carried the ball 19 times for 136 yards and a score, and caught four passes for 30 yards.  His owners expected 16 points, but were pleasantly surprised with 22 points. 

Hallam's Take:  Beware of the fact that once the Titans have home field advantage wrapped up that you might see less and less of Johnson.  He doesn't have the worst schedule to finish the season as they will be at Houston, home date with Pittsburgh, and finally travel to Indianapolis.  If he will continue to play, let him continue to carry your team.

DeAngelo Williams/Johnathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) — It was a run parade on Monday night on one of the best rushing defenses in the NFL.  Williams set a franchise record with 186 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns for a whopping 30 fantasy points which killed his 13-point projection.  In the same backfield on Monday night, rookie Johnathan Stewart ran for 115 yards on 15 carries and he also scored twice.  Stewart ran up 23 fantasy points, blowing his modest three point projection out of the water.

Hallam's Take: You are surprised to see these kind of rushing numbers against Tampa, but the way the season has gone for DeAngelo Williams you can't be shocked.  He has been the biggest surprise of 2008, and vaults up the draft board for 2009.

It was a little more of a surprise that Stewart did so well seeing that Williams has taken control of the backfield, but Stewart has done the most with his carries this year as possible. 

Williams is now a No. 1 fantasy back heading into the playoffs, while Stewart is a low No. 2 or great flex play.  Their last three weeks will feature games home for Denver, at New York Giants, and finish at New Orleans.  The Giants game will be tough, but they should be able to run all over the other two.

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NFL Week 14 Studs & Duds Recap