Week 13 TE Preview: Graham, Kelce top the list

Week 13 TE Rankings (Top-10):
1. Jimmy Graham, SEA - vs. CAR
2. Travis Kelce, KC - @ ATL
3. Greg Olsen, CAR - @ SEA
4. Tyler Eifert, CIN - vs. PHI
5. Kyle Rudolph, MIN - vs. DET
6. Eric Ebron, DET - @ NO
7. Jordan Reed, WAS - @ ARI
8. Cameron Brate, TB - @ SD
9. Antonio Gates, SD - vs. TB
10. Zach Ertz, PHI - @CIN

Gronkowski off the list (again) due to Week 12 injury: New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski did not make out Top-10 TE rankings for Week 13 because of the injury he suffered in Week 12 vs. the Jets in the first quarter. It is questionable if he will play in Week 13 and for that we have decided not to rank him this week.

Week 13 WR Preview: Jones quiet, Beckham shines in Week 12

Week 13 WR Rankings (Top-10):

1. Antonio Brown, PIT - vs. NYG

2. Julio Jones, ATL - vs. KC

3. Odell Beckham, Jr., NYG - @ PIT

4. Mike Evans, TB - @ SD

5. Jordy Nelson, GB - vs. HOU

6. Amari Cooper, OAK - vs. BUF

7. T.Y. Hilton, IND - @ NYJ

8. Doug Baldwin, SEA - vs. CAR

9. Dez Bryant, DAL - @ MIN

10. Michael Thomas, NO - vs. DET

Week 12 Highlights of the Top-3: Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown caught five of six passes for 91 yards and three TDs in the Steelers' Week 12 win.

Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones only caught four of 7 passes for 35 yards in Week 12.

Beckham scored two touchdowns on 96 yards and eight receptions in what was a rough day for the Giants offense in Week 12 against the Browns.

Week 13 RB Preview: Johnson, Bell, Elliott the Top-3

Week 13 RB Rankings (Top-10):

1. David Johnson, ARI - vs. WSH

2. Le'Veon Bell, PIT - vs. NYG

3. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL - @ MIN

4. Melvin Gordon, SD - vs. TB

5. LeSean McCoy, BUF - @ OAK

6. Jordan Howard, CHI - vs. SF

7. Spencer Ware, KC - @ ATL

8. Devonta Freeman, ATL - vs. KC

9. Lamar Miller, HOU - @ GB

10. Jay Ajayi, MIA - @ BAL

Why is David Johnson No. 1?: In Week 12, Johnson rushed 13 times for 58 yards and caught eight passes for 103 yards and a TD against the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson actually dislocated a finger in the game but head coach Bruce Arians said that Johnson should be fine for Week 13.

Elliott shines in Week 12: Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott rushed 97 yards and had two TDs in 20 carries and aded 23 yards in two receptions in the Cowboys' 31-26 win in Week 12.

Week 13 QB Preview: Prescott impressive, Brees gets easy matchup vs. Lions

Week 13 QB Rankings (Top-10):
Rank, Player, Team, Opponent
1. Drew Brees, NO - vs. DET
2. Tom Brady, NE - vs. LA
3. Dak Prescott, DAL - @ MIN
4. Aaron Rodgers , GB - vs. HOU
5. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT - vs. NYG
6. Matthew Stafford, DET - @ NO
7. Andrew Luck, IND - @ NYJ
8. Russell Wilson, SEA - @ CAR
9. Matt Ryan, ATL - vs. KC
10. Colin Kaepernick, SF - @ CHI

Brees faces Lions: The Detroit Lions may have defeated the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, but Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints offense should perform well against the Lions defense. In Week 12 against the Rams, Brees threw 310 yards for 4 touchdowns.

Prescott still out on top: Is there any question of why you shouldn't consider Dak Prescott for Week 13 DFS? In Week 12 against the Washington Redskins, Prescott completed 17-of-24 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown with 39 rushing yards in eight rushes for another TD to help Dallas get their tenth-consecutive victory this season.

Week 12 Injuries: Gronk, Carr face injuries

New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski left Sunday's game against the Jets in the first quarter because of a back injury and was eventually ruled out.

ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss had charted Gronkowski as playing seven of 12 offensive snaps before going to the locker room.

The TE started on Sunday after missing the Patriots' Week 11 game because of a chest injury. He was initially injured in Week 10 against the Seahawks.

Gronkowski did not return from the locker room to start the second half.

Carr injures finger: Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr appeared to sustain an injury to his right pinkie finger (throwing hand) on a fumbled snap exchange at the beginning of the second half.

Carr immediately ran off the field to get evaluated and eventually went to the locker room.

Backup Matt McGloin replaced him for one series, before Carr returned to the game with a glove on his throwing hand.

Other Key Injuries: Danny Trevathan (ILB, CHI), Lamar Miller (RB, HOU), Ronald Darby (CB, BUF), Allen Hurns  (WR, JAX), John Brown (WR, ARI).

Week 12 TE Preview: Gronk off our list due to injury

Week 12 TE Rankings (Top-10):

1. Jordan Reed, WSH - @ DAL

2. Greg Olsen, CAR - @ OAK

3. Jimmy Graham, SEA - @ TB

4. Delanie Walker, TE - @ CHI

5. Tyler Eifert, CIN - @ BAL

6. Antonio Gates, SD - @ HOU

7. Travis Kielce, KC - @ DEN

8. Eric Ebron, DET - MIN

9. Zach Ertz, PHI - GB

10. Kyle Rudolph, MIN - @ DET

Gronk to miss Week 12 vs. Jets: New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski was injured in Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, he will miss miss his second game in a row in Week 12 against the New York Jets, therefore taking him off our Top-10 RB rankings for this week.

Week 12 RB Preview: Bell, Elliott top our list

Week 12 RB Rankings (Top-10)

1. Le'Veon Bell, PIT - @ IND

2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL - WAS

3. David Johnson, ARI - @ ATL

4. Jay Ajayi, MIA - SF

5. Melvin Gordon, SD - @ HOU

6. DeMarco Murray, TEN - @ CHI

7. LeSean McCoy, BUF - JAX

8. Thomas Rawls, SEA - @ TB

9. Lamar Miller, HOU - SD

10. Spencer Ware, KC - @ DEN

Elliott could soon be No. 1: Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott can soon be the No. 1 running back in our weekly RB Rankings.

If Elliott can out-perform Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell for one or two weeks, it may be enough to rank Elliott No. 1 on our rankings for the following week or weeks.

Ajayi on the rise: After ranking him outside the Top-5 in last week's RB rankings, we've placed Jay Ajayi at No. 4. He did better than we expected in Week 11, so we've decided to bump him up a few spots in our rankings for Week 12.

Week 12 WR Preview: Brown, Beckham top list

Week 12 WR Rankings (Top-10):
1. Antonio Brown, PIT - @ IND
2. Odell Beckham, Jr., NYG - @ CLE
3. Julio Jones, ATL - ARI
4. Dez Bryant, DAL - WAS
5. Mike Evans, TB - SEA
6. Jordy Nelson, GB - @ PHI
7. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI - @ ATL
8. Amari Cooper, OAK - CAR
9. Stefon Diggs, MIN - @ DET
10. Allen Robinson, JAX - @ BUF

Brown, Beckham, Jones still up top: In past WR Rankings we've done for this season, it's mainly been Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham, Jr., and Julio Jones as the Top-3. That has not changed for Week 12. The three are still atop our WR rankings.

Week 12 D/ST Preview: Giants shoot to No. 1 with easy Browns matchup

Week 12 D/ST Rankings (Top-10):
1. New York Giants - @ CLE
2. Seattle Seahawks - @ TB
3. Denver Broncos - KC
4. Baltimore Ravens - CIN
5. Buffalo Bills - JAX
6. New England Patriots - @ NYJ
7. Miami Dolphins - SF
8. Minnesota Vikings - @ DET
9. San Diego Chargers - @ HOU
10.. Kansas City Chiefs - @ DEN

Giants get easy matchup against Browns: The New York Giants take their five-game winning streak to Cleveland on Sunday to face the Browns in what should be an easy matchup fr the Giants' defense. Cleveland is winless this season and have struggled tremendously in recent years, so the Giants get an easy matchup for their D/ST this weekend.

Week 12 QB Preview: Cousins improving, Big Ben No. 1

Week 12 QB Rankings (Top-10):

1. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT - @ IND

2. Kirk Cousins, WAS - @ DAL

3. Carson Palmer, ARI - @ ATL

4. Cam Newton, CAR - @ OAK

5. Tom Brady, NE - @ NYJ

6. Derek Carr, OAK - CAR

7. Drew Brees, NO - LA

8. Dak Prescott, DAL - WAS

9. Aaron Rodgers, GB - @ PHI

10. Marcus Mariota, TEN - @ CHI

Most Improved: Kirk Cousins: Cousins has been playing excellent football recently. He lit up the the Packers on Sunday, recording 375 yards and three touchdowns.


Cousins has already set a record for 300-yard passing games with the Redskins in only 35 regular season games played.

Cousins is No. 2 on our QB Rankings for Week 12 of the 2016 NFL season.

Week 11 Injuries: AJ Green may be out multiple weeks (hamstring)

Cincinnati Bengals WR AJ Green was carted to the locker room from the field after the Bengals' second offensive play on Sunday.

He immediately grabbed his right hamstring as he went to the ground and was in a lot of pain.

The team initially called him questionable to return before ruling him out.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Green will miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, and sources say there is a chance he will not play again this season. Green will have an MRI on Monday.

McCoy suffers thumb injury: Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy suffered a thumb injury while stiff-arming a defender right before halftime and was listed as questionable to return on Sunday.

McCoy spoke to trainers on the sideline following an 8-yard catch before jogging to the locker room with a trainer, holding his left arm close to his body. The team eventually ruled him out.

McCoy was seen with a wrap over his left thumb/hand after the game, and the Bills' official team reporter said the RB will need surgery but is expected to play next week.

Browns may lose Kessler: Cleveland Browns QB Cody Kessler suffered a concussion after taking a huge hit from Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons at the end of the third quarter on Sunday.

Officials flagged the Steelers 15 yards for the hit, and Josh McCown replaced the rookie QB in the lineup.

Other Key Injuries: Earl Thomas (S, SEA), CJ Prosise (RB, SEA), Giovani Bernard (RB, CIN), Dee Ford (LB, KC), Zach Miller (TE, CHI), Ryan Matthews (RB, PHI), Darren Sproles (RB, PHI).

Kuechly injury not good for Panthes

Carolina Pantgers middle linr backer Luke Kuechly entered the concussion protocol following Thursday's win against the Saints, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Prior to his departure in the fourth quarter, Kuechly had accrued a season-best 14 tackles, and his TD return of a blocked field goal was only called back due to a block in the back.

With his return to action now dependent on the five-step protocol for head injuries, one must recall that he missed three games last season as a result of a concussion.

For a team on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, the potential downgrade from Kuechly to A.J. Klein could be the death knell for the defending NFC champions.

Info from RotoWire Staff.

ESPN's Fantasy Football IDP Ranks: Week 11

via ESPN Fantasy Football.

Our IDP rankings below are shown as an average of two analysts' rankings: Mike Clay, ESPN Insider fantasy football writer, and Jim McCormick, who has provided rankings for ESPN for many years. They will rank 50 players at each of three positions: defensive line, linebacker and defensive back.

Players not ranked by either Mike or Jim will receive a ranking value of 60 for the purposes of the composite rankings. In the charts below, you will see an "NR" to denote a player who was not ranked by that individual.


Because scoring systems can vary greatly in IDP formats, these rankings will be based on the following scoring criteria:

• Solo tackle: 1.5 points
• Assisted tackle: 0.75 points
• Tackle for loss: 2 points
• Sack: 4 points
• Interception: 5 points
• Forced fumble: 4 points
• Fumble recovery: 4 points
• Defensive TD: 6 points
• Safety: 2 points
• Pass defensed: 1.5 points

Top defensive linemen for Week 11

Rank, Player, Team	Opp	MC	JM	Avg.
1. Khalil Mack, DE, LB, Oak	HOU	1	1	1
2. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, NYG	CHI	2	7	4.5
3. Chandler Jones, LB, DE, Ari	@MIN	7	3	5
3. Brandon Graham, DE, Phi	@SEA	6	4	5
5. Frank Clark, DE, LB, Sea	PHI	5	6	5.5
6. Cameron Jordan, DE, NO	@CAR	3	9	6
7. Cliff Avril, DE, Sea	PHI	9	5	7
7. Olivier Vernon, DE, NYG	CHI	12	2	7
9. Trey Flowers, DE, NE	@SF	4	12	8
10. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Cin	BUF	13	8	10.5
11. Aaron Donald, DT, LA	MIA	11	11	11
11. William Gholston, DE, TB	@KC	8	14	11
13. Everson Griffen, DE, Min	ARI	10	16	13
14. Trent Murphy, DE, Was	GB	20	10	15
15. Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Jac	@DET	14	17	15.5
16. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Hou	@OAK	19	15	17
17. Danielle Hunter, DE, Min	ARI	17	18	17.5
17. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Mia	@LA	15	20	17.5
19. DeForest Buckner, DE, SF	NE	24	13	18.5
19. Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Det	JAC	16	21	18.5
21. Gerald McCoy, DT, TB	@KC	18	23	20.5
22. Calais Campbell, DE, Ari	@MIN	31	19	25
23. Connor Barwin, DE, Phi	@SEA	22	29	25.5
24. Kawann Short, DT, Car	NO	30	27	28.5
24. Rob Ninkovich, DE, NE	@SF	26	31	28.5
26. Robert Ayers, DE, TB	@KC	29	30	29.5
27. Derrick Morgan, DE, Ten	@IND	33	28	30.5
27. Cameron Wake, DE, Mia	@LA	37	24	30.5
29. Sheldon Rankins, DT, NO	@CAR	21	43	32
30. Fletcher Cox, DT, Phi	@SEA	32	33	32.5
31. Andre Branch, DE, Mia	@LA	28	39	33.5
32. Kyle Williams, DT, Buf	@CIN	27	41	34
33. Damon Harrison, DT, NYG	CHI	47	22	34.5
34. William Hayes, DE, LA	MIA	25	47	36
34. Stephon Tuitt, DE, Pit	@CLE	40	32	36
36. Timmy Jernigan, DT, Bal	@DAL	48	34	41
36. Jamie Meder, DT, Cle	PIT	38	44	41
38. Charles Johnson, DE, Car	NO	44	40	42
39. Jurrell Casey, DT, Ten	@IND	NR	25	42.5
39. Brian Robison, DE, Min	ARI	35	50	42.5
41. Robert Quinn, DE, LA	MIA	NR	26	43
42. Danny Shelton, DT, Cle	PIT	39	49	44
43. Chris Baker, DT, Was	GB	43	48	45.5
44. Arthur Jones, DE, Ind	TEN	34	NR	47
45. Mario Addison, DE, Car	NO	NR	35	47.5
46. Michael Johnson, DE, Cin	BUF	36	NR	48
47. DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Dal	BAL	NR	37	48.5
48. Linval Joseph, DT, Min	ARI	NR	38	49
49. Chris Jones, DT, KC	TB	41	NR	50.5
50. Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Jac	@DET	42	NR	51

Top linebackers for Week 11

Rank, Player, Team	Opp	MC	JM	Avg.
1. Luke Kuechly, LB, Car	NO	1	1	1
2. Bobby Wagner, LB, Sea	PHI	4	2	3
2. Sean Lee, LB, Dal	BAL	3	3	3
4. Zach Brown, LB, Buf	@CIN	2	5	3.5
5. Kwon Alexander, LB, TB	@KC	6	11	8.5
5. Alec Ogletree, LB, LA	MIA	13	4	8.5
7. Benardrick McKinney, LB, Hou	@OAK	9	9	9
8. Will Compton, LB, Was	GB	7	13	10
8. Zachary Orr, LB, Bal	@DAL	8	12	10
10. Paul Posluszny, LB, Jac	@DET	16	6	11
11. Tahir Whitehead, LB, Det	JAC	14	10	12
12. Ryan Shazier, LB, Pit	@CLE	10	15	12.5
13. Telvin Smith, LB, Jac	@DET	19	7	13
13. Craig Robertson, LB, NO	@CAR	5	21	13
13. Jamie Collins, LB, NE	@SF	12	14	13
16. Jerrell Freeman, LB, Chi	@NYG	20	8	14
17. Derrick Johnson, LB, KC	TB	18	17	17.5
17. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Cin	BUF	15	20	17.5
17. Thomas Davis, LB, Car	NO	11	24	17.5
20. Christian Kirksey, LB, Cle	PIT	21	18	19.5
21. C.J. Mosley, LB, Bal	@DAL	24	16	20
22. Lavonte David, LB, TB	@KC	23	23	23
23. Mark Barron, LB, LA	MIA	30	19	24.5
23. Kiko Alonso, LB, Mia	@LA	22	27	24.5
25. Khalil Mack, DE, LB, Oak	HOU	28	22	25
26. Nick Bellore, LB, SF	NE	17	34	25.5
27. K.J. Wright, LB, Sea	PHI	25	32	28.5
27. Avery Williamson, LB, Ten	@IND	29	28	28.5
29. Preston Brown, LB, Buf	@CIN	34	26	30
30. Gerald Hodges, LB, SF	NE	26	35	30.5
30. Deone Bucannon, LB, Ari	@MIN	36	25	30.5
32. Lawrence Timmons, LB, Pit	@CLE	33	29	31
33. Nigel Bradham, LB, Phi	@SEA	35	33	34
33. Chad Greenway, LB, Min	ARI	32	36	34
35. Joe Thomas, LB, GB	@WAS	31	38	34.5
36. Elandon Roberts, LB, NE	@SF	27	44	35.5
36. D'Qwell Jackson, LB, Ind	TEN	40	31	35.5
38. Danny Trevathan, LB, Chi	@NYG	44	30	37
39. Jordan Hicks, LB, Phi	@SEA	42	37	39.5
40. Blake Martinez, LB, GB	@WAS	39	41	40
41. Malcolm Smith, LB, Oak	HOU	41	42	41.5
42. Jonathan Casillas, LB, NYG	CHI	45	40	42.5
43. Chandler Jones, LB, DE, Ari	@MIN	50	39	44.5
44. Frank Clark, LB, DE, Sea	PHI	46	46	46
45. Dee Ford, LB, KC	TB	48	45	46.5
46. Kevin Minter, LB, Ari	@MIN	47	49	48
47. Dont'a Hightower, LB, NE	@SF	37	NR	48.5
48. Nathan Stupar, LB, NO	@CAR	38	NR	49
49. Keenan Robinson, LB, NYG	CHI	43	NR	51.5
49. Vincent Rey, LB, Cin	BUF	NR	43	51.5

Top defensive backs for Week 11

Rank, Player, Team	Opp	MC	JM	Avg.
1. Landon Collins, S, NYG	CHI	1	1	1
2. Kenny Vaccaro, S, NO	@CAR	2	5	3.5
2. Karl Joseph, S, Oak	HOU	5	2	3.5
4. Tony Jefferson, S, Ari	@MIN	6	4	5
5. Morgan Burnett, S, GB	@WAS	4	7	5.5
5. Kam Chancellor, S, Sea	PHI	3	8	5.5
7. Antoine Bethea, S, SF	NE	9	3	6
8. Harrison Smith, S, Min	ARI	7	10	8.5
8. Clayton Geathers, S, Ind	TEN	8	9	8.5
10. David Amerson, CB, Oak	HOU	10	14	12
11. Johnathan Cyprien, S, Jac	@DET	20	6	13
12. Jason McCourty, CB, Ten	@IND	12	15	13.5
13. Rodney McLeod, S, Phi	@SEA	16	12	14
14. Eric Weddle, S, Bal	@DAL	18	13	15.5
15. Marcus Peters, CB, KC	TB	11	21	16
16. Corey Graham, S, Buf	@CIN	27	11	19
16. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Was	GB	21	17	19
18. DeShawn Shead, CB, Sea	PHI	23	16	19.5
19. Reggie Nelson, S, Oak	HOU	17	23	20
19. Bradley McDougald, S, TB	@KC	22	18	20
21. Andrew Sendejo, S, Min	ARI	19	24	21.5
22. Shawn Williams, S, Cin	BUF	25	19	22
23. Eric Berry, S, KC	TB	13	32	22.5
24. Perrish Cox, CB, Ten	@IND	14	34	24
25. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Min	ARI	15	37	26
26. Kurt Coleman, S, Car	NO	24	31	27.5
27. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, GB	@WAS	31	25	28
27. Patrick Chung, S, NE	@SF	28	28	28
29. Trumaine Johnson, CB, LA	MIA	32	30	31
30. E.J. Gaines, CB, LA	MIA	34	33	33.5
31. Vonn Bell, S, NO	@CAR	30	40	35
31. Chris Conte, S, TB	@KC	44	26	35
33. Daryl Worley, CB, Car	NO	37	43	40
33. Mike Adams, S, Ind	TEN	NR	20	40
35. Malcolm Jenkins, S, Phi	@SEA	NR	22	41
36. James Bradberry, CB, Car	NO	26	NR	43
37. Harold Jones-Quartey, S, Chi	@NYG	39	48	43.5
37. Eric Reid, S, SF	NE	NR	27	43.5
39. Orlando Scandrick, CB, Dal	BAL	29	NR	44.5
39. Earl Thomas, S, Sea	PHI	NR	29	44.5
41. Janoris Jenkins, CB, NYG	CHI	43	47	45
42. Glover Quin, S, Det	JAC	49	44	46.5
42. Josh Norman, CB, Was	GB	33	NR	46.5
44. Richard Sherman, CB, Sea	PHI	35	NR	47.5
44. Donte Whitner, S, Was	GB	NR	35	47.5
46. Tony Lippett, CB, Mia	@LA	36	NR	48
46. George Iloka, S, Cin	BUF	NR	36	48
48. D.J. Swearinger, S, Ari	@MIN	48	49	48.5
49. Kevin Byard, S, Ten	@IND	NR	38	49
50. Logan Ryan, CB, NE	@SF	NR	39	49.5

Rex Ryan: Sammy Watkins not ready to practice

Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan says at his presser on Monday that Sammy Watkins is eligible to return to practice this week, but isn’t quite ready yet.

In 2015, Watkins played and started in 13 games accumulating 60 recep ons for 1,047 yards and 9 touchdowns, and tallied his first ever 1,000 yard receiving year. In 2014, he started all 16 games, and finished his rookie campaign with 65 receptions for 982 yards and six touchdowns.

"I just met with Sammy. He feels fantastic," Ryan said. "But we're going to be smart with him until he can be back out there."

Week 10 Injuries: Fitzgerald leaves in 1st half, comes back, breaks records

The Arizona Cardinals were dealt what they probably thought was a serious blow to their lineup when Larry Fitzgerald left Sunday's game against the San Fransisco 49ers.

Fitzgerald left the game late in the first half after being flipped and landing on his neck following a 7-yard catch. He went to the locker room with a Cardinals trainer just before halftime but returned in the third quarter.

In the game, Fitzgerald became the 12th receiver in NFL history to reach 14,000 receiving yards. He also passed James Lofton for 11th all-time. He is now the third-youngest player to reach the 14,000 yard milestone.

Fitzgerald also passed Terrell Owens to move into 6th on the NFL's all-time catch list.

Other Key Injuries: Jordan Howard (RB, CHI), Eric Kendricks (LB, MIN), Xavier Rhodes (CB, MIN), Mario Williams (DE, MIA), Phillip Gaines (CB, KC), Kyle Long (G, CHI), Jake Long (LT, MIN).