Fantasy Football 2011: Musts, Trusts and Busts for Week 14

Week 14 not only represents a much needed return home for the Detroit Lions, but also an opportunity for Calvin Johnson to prove his critics wrong…again.

New Orleans’ decision to bracket Johnson with two defenders playing press coverage at the goal line in last Sunday night’s game was the first time that I had ever seen that done.

How did Detroit respond?

Detroit responded with a handoff to running back Kevin Smith, who started toward the three and cut back into the two hole for a three-yard touchdown.

So has the opposing defense's decision to try to eliminate Calvin Johnson forced quarterback Matthew Stafford to ignore his No. 1 option? 

No, not at all.

In a way, it’s bolstered Stafford’s belief in Johnson. Though it feels good to be respected, the dynamic duo is looking to make teams fear them.

It has been said that no one player can beat a team, but I think that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is willing to put that theory to the test.

And this weekend’s matchup at home against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, looks to be a perfect platform.

Read on to find out who you must start and who you can trust to start in Week 14’s ever important playoff matchups.

You’ll be surprised to see some of the names listed as busts.

Quarterback

Musts:

1. Aaron Rodgers

2. Tom Brady

3. Cam Newton

4. Matthew Stafford

5. Drew Brees 

Trusts: Tim Tebow, Michael Vick, Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger

Busts: Philip Rivers, Tylre Palko, Kevin Kolb, Colt McCoy, Carson Palmer

Injury Fill-In: Tarvaris Jackson, Joe Flacco, Christian Ponder

Aaron Rodgers is really good at playing quarterback. In fact, I would venture to say that he’s the best in the league.

Even better than a healthy Peyton Manning.

Speaking of Peyton Manning, if I was anyone—which I’m not—my vote for the league's Most Valuable Player would be No. 18. Never have I seen the absence of one player so negatively affect a franchise. I’d say that he is pretty valuable to the Indianapolis Colts organization—the team's record speaks for itself.

But Manning won’t be available for the Colts’ Week 14 matchup against the Ravens.

So with that in mind, where do you turn this week for what, in most leagues, is the first round of your league’s playoffs?

You turn to the MTB formula.

I think that you can trust Michael Vick in his return this week, and I also think that Stafford throws for at least three touchdowns.

What else can you expect from this week’s musts and trusts?

Look for it to be an old west-type shootout between gunslingers Tony Romo and Eli Manning.

Running Back

Musts:

1. Ray Rice

2. Arian Foster

3. Marshawn Lynch

4. LeSean McCoy

5. Maurice Jones-Drew 

Trusts: Chris Johnson, Reggie Bush, Ryan Mathews, DeMarco Murray, Steven Jackson, LeGarrette Blount, Ahmad Bradshaw, Toby Gerhardt/Adrian Peterson

Busts: Rashard Mendenhall, Michael Bush, Beenie Wells

Injury Fill-In: Isaac Redman, Roy Helu

At this point I am unsure as to whether or not Adrian Peterson will line up against the Lions this weekend. Historically, Peterson has enjoyed some of his greatest statistical outputs against the NFC North rival Detroit Lions.

Though Peterson’s ankle is still bothering him, he has still been capable of limited participation in team practices this week. He will attempt to remedy the situation via pain killers—if he is unsuccessful in doing so, he will miss Sunday’s game.

Backup Toby Gerhardt looks like a solid start against Detroit’s injury/suspension depleted D-line if Peterson ends up not going.

The Ray Rice vs. the Indianapolis Colts matchup almost speaks for itself. Indy’s leading tackler Pat Angerer is officially listed as probable for the game, but will most likely find it extremely difficult to pursue Rice on one good knee.

It should be noted that Angerer was a full participant in practice on Friday.

Oakland’s oft-injured superstar running back Darren McFadden has officially been listed as OUT on the team’s injury report.

Start incumbent Oakland RB Michael Bush at your own risk.

Wide Receiver

Musts:

1. Calvin Johnson

2. Hakeem Nicks

3. Steve Smith

4. Greg Jennings

5. Mike Wallace 

Trusts: Victor Cruz, Jordy Nelson, Wes Welker, Percy Harvin, Vincent Jackson, A.J. Green, Dez Bryant

Busts: Larry Fitzgerald, Brandon Marshall, Laurent Robinson, Mike Williams (Tampa)

Injury Fill-In: Pierre Garcon, Torrey Smith, Miles Austin, Eric Decker, Antonio Brown

As far as ranking receivers goes, please know this. I will never again list A.J. Green as a bust for the remainder of the 2011 season. He’s scored at least one touchdown each time that I did.

Week 14 isnt the first time that I listed both Brandon Marshall and Larry Fitzgerald in the bust category, however I do like their upside this week.

Fitzgerald will be facing a Patrick Willis-less 49ers defense, and Brandon Marshall faces a defense that is a long way away from their preemptive dream team label.

At the time of this article, Miles Austin was officially listed as questionable, but it's believed that he'll start. Laurent Robinson's stock takes a hit, and Dez Bryant's stock soars.

Megatron. Start him.