Week 4 Fantasy Football Primer

We have started a new weekly blog post for you: the Fantasy Football Primer.  Between this and the post for the weekly NFL picks, this gives you the detail we could not possibly give you on our This Week in Fantasy Sports segment on Sports With The StatMan (Saturdays, 11am ET on BlogTalkRadio).

Ahead are our positional rankings for quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and defense/special teams positions.  How is this different than any other prognostication or, for lack of a better term, “guess”?  We break them down into tiers.  We give you a projected amount of points.  Also, for a few of these players, we give a little more information.  Some we talk about on the show, some we do not.

A note on the tiers: if you are in a 10-team league and play two running backs, if you have two tailbacks listed here in the top 20, you are in good shape.  If you have three running backs and you play with a “flex” position, you may want to consider playing your third solid running back at “flex”.  If you see a free agent in the top 20, grab him and don’t look back.

POSITIONAL RANKINGS

QUARTERBACKS

TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 20+ pts)

1. Matt Schaub HOU (vs TEN): 27.10 projected points

2. Drew Brees NO (at GBY): 26.89 ppts

3. Peyton Manning DEN (vs OAK): 21.96 ppts

4. Aaron Rodgers GBY (vs NO): 20.57 ppts

5. Matt Ryan ATL (vs CAR): 20.41 ppts

6. Robert Griffin III WSH (at TBY): 20.00 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 15-20 pts)

7. Joe Flacco BAL (vs CLE): 19.23 ppts

8. Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (vs NE): 18.02 ppts

9. Andy Dalton CIN (at JAX): 16.51 ppts

10. Carson Palmer OAK (at DEN): 16.24 ppts

11. Tom Brady NE (at BUF): 15.98 ppts

12. Eli Manning NYG (at PHL): 15.27 ppts

TIER 3 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – 12-15 pts)

13. Matthew Stafford DET (vs MIN): 14.64 ppts

14. Cam Newton CAR (at ATL): 13.37 ppts

15. Philip Rivers SDG (at KCY): 12.37 ppts

16. Josh Freeman TBY (vs WSH): 12.35 ppts

17. Michael Vick PHL (vs NYG): 12.29 ppts

18. Tony Romo DAL (vs CHI): 12.25 ppts

19. Mark Sanchez NYJ (vs SFO): 12.05 ppts

TIER 4 (“DESPERATE STARTS”: Projected Points – <12 o:p="o:p" pts="pts">

20. Blaine Gabbert JAX (vs CIN): 10.14 ppts

21. Alex Smith SFO (at NYJ): 10.06 ppts

22. Russell Wilson SEA (at STL): 9.49 ppts

23. Jay Cutler CHI (at DAL): 8.85 ppts

24. Kevin Kolb ARZ (vs MIA): 8.44 ppts

RUNNING BACKS

TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 12+ pts)

1. Arian Foster HOU (vs TEN): 33.44 projected points

2. Maurice Jones-Drew JAX (vs CIN): 20.40 ppts

3. BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN (at JAX): 13.86 ppts

4. Jamaal Charles KCY (vs SDG): 12.89 ppts

5. Ray Rice BAL (vs CLE): 12.75 ppts

6. Frank Gore SFO (at NYJ): 12.34 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 9-12 pts)

7. Darren McFadden OAK (at DEN): 11.04 ppts

8. Willis McGahee DEN (vs OAK): 9.58 ppts

9. LeSean McCoy PHL (vs NYG): 9.44 ppts

10. Marshawn Lynch SEA (at STL): 9.42 ppts

11. Andre Brown NYG (at PHL): 9.11 ppts

12. C.J. Spiller BUF (vs NE): 9.09 ppts

13. Fred Jackson BUF (vs NE): 9.01 ppts

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 6-9 pts)

14. Trent Richardson CLE (at BAL): 8.9 ppts

15. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG (at PHL): 8.8 ppts

16. Adrian Peterson MIN (at DET): 8.6 ppts

17. Michael Turner ATL (vs CAR): 8.56 ppts

18. Cedric Benson GBY (vs NO): 7.65 ppts

19. Ryan Mathews SDG (at KCY): 7.15 ppts

20. Michael Bush CHI (at DAL): 7.13 ppts

21. Darren Sproles NO (at GBY): 6.97 ppts

22. DeMarco Murray DAL (vs CHI): 6.91 ppts

23. Doug Martin TBY (vs WSH): 6.38 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – 4-6 pts)

24. Steven Jackson STL (vs SEA): 5.92 ppts

25. Ben Tate HOU (vs TEN): 5.91 ppts

26. Chris Johnson TEN (at HOU): 5.88 ppts

27. Jackie Battle SDG (at KCY): 5.76 ppts

28. Reggie Bush MIA (at ARZ): 5.34 ppts

29. DeAngelo Williams CAR (at ATL): 5.01 ppts

30. Matt Forte CHI (at DAL): 4.57 ppts

31. Ryan Williams ARZ (vs MIA): 4.42 ppts

TIER 5 (“DESPERATE STARTS”: Projected Points – <4 o:p="o:p" pts="pts">

32. Shonn Greene NYJ (vs SFO): 3.78 ppts

33. Rashad Jennings JAX (vs CIN): 3.78 ppts

34. Jonathan Stewart CAR (at ATL): 3.75 ppts

35. Stevan Ridley NE (at BUF): 3.74 ppts

36. Kevin Smith DET (vs MIN): 3.37 ppts

37. Mikel Leshoure DET (vs MIN): 2.65 ppts

38. Mark Ingram NO (at GBY): 2.64 ppts

39. Jacquizz Rodgers ATL (vs CAR): 2.39 ppts

40. Alfred Morris WSH (at TBY): 2.37 ppts

WIDE RECEIVERS

TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 12+ pts)

1. A.J. Green CIN (at JAX): 18.84 projected points

2. Victor Cruz NYG (at PHL): 18.67 ppts

3. Calvin Johnson DET (vs MIN): 16.68 ppts

4. Andre Johnson HOU (vs TEN): 13.54 ppts

5. Julio Jones ATL (vs CAR): 12.96 ppts

6. Vincent Jackson TBY (vs WSH): 12.76 ppts

7. Miles Austin DAL (vs CHI): 12.50 ppts

8. Wes Welker NE (at BUF): 12.41 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 8-12 pts)

9. Torrey Smith BAL (vs CLE): 11.67 ppts

10. Larry Fitzgerald ARZ (vs MIA): 10.97 ppts

11. Brandon Lloyd NE (at BUF): 10.87 ppts

12. Demaryius Thomas DEN (vs OAK): 10.40 ppts

13. Jordy Nelson GBY (vs NO): 10.19 ppts

14. Steve Johnson BUF (vs NE): 9.86 ppts

15. Greg Jennings GBY (vs NO): 9.78 ppts

16. Aldrick Robinson WSH (at TBY): 9.56 ppts

17. Steve Smith CAR (at ATL): 8.24 ppts

18. Percy Harvin MIN (at DET): 8.00 ppts

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 5-8 pts)

19. Jeremy Maclin PHL (vs NYG): 7.89 ppts

20. Santonio Holmes NYJ (vs SFO): 7.62 ppts

21. Roddy White ATL (vs CAR): 7.59 ppts

22. Mike Williams TBY (vs WSH): 7.41 ppts

23. Dez Bryant DAL (vs CHI): 7.11 ppts

24. DeSean Jackson PHL (vs NYG): 6.98 ppts

25. Brandon Marshall CHI (at DAL): 6.38 ppts

26. Damaris Johnson PHL (vs NYG): 6.33 ppts

27. Travis Benjamin CLE (at BAL): 6.31 ppts

28. Marques Colston NO (at GBY): 6.27 ppts

29. Leonard Hankerson WSH (at TBY): 6.12 ppts

30. Eric Decker DEN (vs OAK): 6.06 ppts

31. Dwayne Bowe KCY (vs SDG): 5.85 ppts

32. Denarius Moore OAK (at DEN): 5.83 ppts

33. Anquan Boldin BAL (vs CLE): 5.46 ppts

34. Nate Washington TEN (at HOU): 5.33 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – <5 o:p="o:p" pts="pts">

35. Pierre Garcon WSH (at TBY): 4.93 ppts

36. Malcom Floyd SDG (at KCY): 4.92 ppts

37. Andrew Hawkins CIN (at JAX): 4.89 ppts

38. Lance Moore NO (at GBY): 4.72 ppts

39. Keshawn Martin HOU (vs TEN): 4.67 ppts

40. Robert Meachem SDG (at KCY): 4.56 ppts

TIGHT ENDS

TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 12+ pts)

1. Rob Gronkowski NE (at BUF): 18.26 projected points

2. Jimmy Graham NO (at GBY): 14.57 ppts

3. Vernon Davis SFO (at NYJ): 12.59 ppts

4. Tony Gonzalez ATL (vs CAR): 12.30 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 7-12 pts)

5. Owen Daniels HOU (vs TEN): 10.47 ppts

6. David Ausberry OAK (at DEN): 9.00 ppts

7. Antonio Gates SDG (at KCY): 8.84 ppts

8. Brandon Pettigrew DET (vs MIN): 8.50 ppts

9. Jermaine Gresham CIN (at JAX): 7.50 ppts

10. Jason Witten DAL (vs CHI): 7.40 ppts

11. Fred Davis WSH (at TBY): 7.33 ppts

12. Martellus Bennett NYG (at PHL): 7.20 ppts

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 5-7 pts)

13. Brent Celek PHL (vs NYG): 6.84 ppts

14. Jermichael Finley GBY (vs NO): 6.66 ppts

15. Greg Olsen CAR (at ATL): 6.23 ppts

16. Tony Moeaki KCY (vs SDG): 6.08 ppts

17. Kyle Rudolph MIN (at DET): 5.68 ppts

18. Jared Cook TEN (at HOU): 5.59 ppts

19. Jacob Tamme DEN (vs OAK): 5.37 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – <5 o:p="o:p" pts="pts">

20. Dallas Clark TBY (vs WSH): 4.96 ppts

21. Scott Chandler BUF (vs NE): 3.77 ppts

22. Jeff Cumberland NYJ (vs SFO): 3.60 ppts

23. Anthony Fasano MIA (at ARZ): 3.50 ppts

24. John Carlson MIN (at DET): 3.29 ppts

KICKERS

TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 10+ pts)

1. David Akers SFO (at NYJ): 11.49 ppts

2. Stephen Gostkowski NE (at BUF): 10.54 ppts

3. Jason Hanson DET (vs MIN): 10.32 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 7-10 pts)

4. Shayne Graham HOU (vs TEN): 8.49 ppts

5. Mason Crosby GBY (vs NO): 8.10 ppts

6. Blair Walsh MIN (at DET): 7.57 ppts

7. Justin Tucker BAL (vs CLE): 7.34 ppts

8. Nick Novak SDG (at KCY): 7.33 ppts

9. Matt Bryant ATL (vs CAR): 7.14 ppts

TIER 3 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – <7 o:p="o:p" pts="pts">

10. Sebastian Janikowski OAK (at DEN): 6.89 ppts

11. Lawrence Tynes NYG (at PHL): 6.65 ppts

12. Mike Nugent CIN (at JAX): 6.52 ppts

13. Robbie Gould CHI (at DAL): 6.24 ppts

14. Billy Cundiff WSH (at TBY): 6.06 ppts

15. Dan Bailey DAL (vs CHI): 6.04 ppts

16. Dan Carpenter MIA (at ARZ): 5.67 ppts

17. Rob Bironas TEN (at HOU): 5.63 ppts

18. Greg Zuerlein STL (vs SEA): 5.27 ppts

19. Ryan Succop KCY (vs SDG): 5.17 ppts

20. Matt Prater DEN (vs OAK): 5.15 ppts

21. Connor Barth TBY (vs WSH): 5.11 ppts

22. Garrett Hartley NO (at GBY): 4.83 ppts

23. Jay Feely ARZ (vs MIA): 4.75 ppts

24. Nick Folk NYJ (vs SFO): 4.67 ppts

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 10+ pts)

1.  Bears CHI (at DAL): 11.97 ppts

2.  Seahawks SEA (at STL): 11.64 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 6-10 pts)

3.  Cardinals ARZ (vs MIA): 7.81 ppts

4.  Packers GBY (vs NO): 7.56 ppts

5.  Giants NYG (at PHL): 7.45 ppts

6.  Ravens BAL (vs CLE): 6.88 ppts

7.  Jets NYJ (vs SFO): 6.21 ppts

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 4-6 pts)

8.  Eagles PHL (vs NYG): 5.54 ppts

9.  Texans HOU (vs TEN): 4.99 ppts

10.  Bengals CIN (at JAX): 4.83 ppts

11.  49ers SFO (at NYJ): 4.70 ppts

12.  Falcons ATL (vs CAR): 4.61 ppts

13.  Cowboys DAL (vs CHI): 4.46 ppts

14.  Lions DET (vs MIN): 4.37 ppts

15.  Patriots NE (at BUF): 4.37 ppts

16.  Buccaneers TBY (vs WSH): 4.31 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – <4 o:p="o:p" pts="pts">

17.  Saints NO (at GBY): 3.56 ppts

18.  Bills BUF (vs NE): 3.49 ppts

19.  Broncos DEN (vs OAK): 3.49 ppts

20.  Chargers SDG (at KCY): 3.29 ppts

21.  Vikings MIN (at DET): 3.27 ppts

22.  Redskins WSH (at TBY): 3.06 ppts

23.  Titans TEN (at HOU): 2.71 ppts

24.  Chiefs KCY (vs SDG): 2.61 ppts

WEEK 4 INJURIES

OUT (0% of playing)

RUNNING BACKS

Peyton Hillis KCY (ankle) (Beneficiary: Jamaal Charles)

Beanie Wells ARZ (IR, toe) (Beneficiary: Ryan Williams)

Roy Helu WSH (IR, toe) (Beneficiary: Alfred Morris)

Rashard Mendenhall PIT (knee) (Beneficiaries: Isaac Redman/Jonathan Dwyer)

Brandon Jacobs SFO (knee) (Beneficiary: Kendall Hunter)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Hakeem Nicks NYG (foot, knee) (Beneficiary: Ramses Barden)

Stephen Hill NYJ (hamstring) (Beneficiary: Jeremy Kerley)

Darrius Heyward-Bey OAK (concussion, neck) (Beneficiary:

Kenny Britt TEN (ankle) (Beneficiary: Kendall Wright)

TIGHT ENDS

Aaron Hernandez NE (ankle) (Beneficiary: Rob Gronkowski)

Dustin Keller NYJ (hamstring) (Beneficiary: Jeff Cumberland)

KICKER

Nate Kaeding SDG (right groin) (Beneficiary: Nick Novak)

QUESTIONABLE (50% of playing)

RUNNING BACKS

Reggie Bush MIA (knee) (Possible beneficiary: Daniel Thomas)

Matt Forte CHI (ankle) (Possible beneficiary: Michael Bush)

Bernard Scott CIN (ankle)

Mike Goodson OAK (hamstring)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Pierre Garcon WSH (foot) (Possible beneficiary: Leonard Hankerson)

TIGHT ENDS

Brandon Myers OAK (concussion) (Possible beneficiary: David Ausberry)

PROBABLE (75% of playing)

RB: Darren McFadden OAK (shoulder), Willis McGahee DEN (ribs), LeSean McCoy PHL (rib), Ahmad Bradshaw NYG (neck), Rashad Jennings JAX (knee), James Starks GBY (toe), Evan Royster WSH (knee)

WR: Miles Austin DAL (hamstring), Greg Jennings GBY (groin), Jeremy Maclin PHL (hip), Leonard Hankerson WSH (back), Laurent Robinson JAX (concussion)

TE: Jacob Tamme DEN (groin)

K: Sebastian Janikowski OAK (left groin)

START ‘EM/SIT ‘EM

(number before player name is this week’s positional rankings)

QUARTERBACKS

START: #1 Matt Schaub HOU (vs TEN): Owned in 98%/Starting in 22% of CBSSports.com leagues

START: #8 Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (vs NE): 74 O%/9 St% (CBS)
SIT: #15 Philip Rivers SDG (at KCY): 99 O%/71 St% (CBS)

SIT: #17 Michael Vick PHL (vs NYG): 99 O%/72 St% (CBS)

RUNNING BACKS

START: #3 BenJarvis Green-Ellis CIN (at JAX): 100 O%/84 St% (CBS)

START: #8 Willis McGahee DEN (vs OAK): 99 O%/61 St% (CBS)

SIT: #28 Reggie Bush MIA (at ARZ): 100 O%/91 St% (CBS)

SIT: #40 Alfred Morris WSH (at TBY): 99 O%/78 St% (CBS)

WIDE RECEIVERS

START: #6 Vincent Jackson TBY (vs WSH): 100 O%/69 St% (CBS)

START: #9 Torrey Smith BAL (vs CLE): 100 O%/39 St% (CBS)

SIT: #31 Dwayne Bowe KCY (vs SDG): 100 O%/95 St% (CBS)

SIT: #36 Malcom Floyd SDG (at KCY): 100 O%/72 St% (CBS)

TIGHT ENDS

START: #5 Owen Daniels HOU (vs TEN): 87 O%/42 St% (CBS)

START: #6 David Ausberry OAK (at DEN): 0 O%/0 St% (CBS)

SIT: #13 Brent Celek PHL (vs NYG): 94 O%/66 St% (CBS)

SIT: #14 Jermichael Finley GBY (vs NO): 100 O%/100 St% (CBS)

KICKERS

START: #4 Shayne Graham HOU (vs TEN): 61 O%/47 St% (CBS)

SIT: #22 Garrett Hartley NO (at GBY): 88 O%/87 St% (CBS)

THE BARGAIN BIN

(number before player name is this week’s positional rankings)

Just as our Week 3 Bargain Bin was AFC-centric, our Week 4 Bargain Bin has all but one player coming from the NFC.

QUARTERBACKS

#20 Blaine Gabbert JAX (vs CIN): Owned in 12%/Starting in 0% of CBSSports.com leagues

#22 Russell Wilson SEA (at STL): 40 O%/2 St% (CBS)

WIDE RECEIVERS

#29 Leonard Hankerson WSH (at TBY): 17 O%/4 St% (CBS)

KICKERS

#6 Blair Walsh MIN (at DEN): 40 O%/13 St% (CBS)

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

#16 Buccaneers TBY (vs WSH): 33 O%/2 St% (CBS)

Key:

O% - Percentage that player is owned in CBSSports.com leagues

St% - Percentage that player is started in CBSSports.com league lineups

Week 3 Fantasy Football Primer

We are debuting a new weekly blog post for you: the Fantasy Football Primer.  Between this and the post for the weekly NFL picks, this gives you the detail we could not possibly give you on our This Week in Fantasy Sports segment on Sports With The StatMan (Saturdays, 11am ET on BlogTalkRadio).

Ahead are our positional rankings for quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker, and defense/special teams positions.  How is this different than any other prognostication or, for lack of a better term, “guess”?  We break them down into tiers.  We give you a projected amount of points.  Also, for a few of these players, we give a little more information.  Some we talk about on the show, some we do not.

A note on the tiers: if you are in a 10-team league and play two running backs, if you have two tailbacks listed here in the top 20, you are in good shape.  If you have three running backs and you play with a “flex” position, you may want to consider playing your third solid running back at “flex”.  If you see a free agent in the top 20, grab him and don’t look back.

POSITIONAL RANKINGS
QUARTERBACKS
TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 20+ pts)
1. Drew Brees NO (vs KCY): 29.32 projected points
2. Aaron Rodgers GBY (at SEA): 24.83 ppts
3. Matthew Stafford DET (at TEN): 24.16 ppts
4. Eli Manning NYG (at CAR): 22.83 ppts (already played, 17 actual points)
5. Tom Brady NE (at BAL): 21.10 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 18-20 pts)
6. Tony Romo DAL (vs TBY): 19.96 ppts (at home against a team that gave up 500+ yards to Eli Manning last week)
7. Philip Rivers SDG (vs ATL): 19.71 ppts
8. Cam Newton CAR (vs NYG): 18.94 ppts (already played, 9 actual points)
9. Michael Vick PHL (at ARZ): 18.77 ppts (one weapon (Maclin) is out, so look for his running abilities to be on display)
10. Matt Ryan ATL (at SDG): 18.67 ppts
11. Robert Griffin III WSH (vs CIN): 18.00 ppts (if Brandon Weeden can play well against this defense, think of what Griffin can do)

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 15-18 pts)
12. Jay Cutler CHI (vs STL): 17.66 ppts (I think he bounces back here after rock bottom performance last week against the Packers)
13. Matt Schaub HOU (at DEN): 17.34 ppts
14. Carson Palmer OAK (vs PIT): 16.38 ppts (Palmer threw for 373 yards at Miami last week)
15. Alex Smith SFO (at MIN): 16.09 ppts
16. Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (at CLE): 16.05 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – 12-15 pts)
17. Andy Dalton CIN (at WSH): 14.25 ppts
18. Matt Cassel KCY (at NO): 13.28 ppts (the Saints defense have been victimized so far)
19. Ben Roethlisberger PIT (at OAK): 13.04 ppts
20. Mark Sanchez NYJ (at MIA): 12.78 ppts (for the Jets to win, Sanchez has to be a big part of it)
21. Josh Freeman TBY (at DAL): 12.36 ppts
22. Joe Flacco BAL (vs NE): 12.08 ppts (you can throw on the Patriots, but I don’t think he’ll have to)

TIER 5 (“DESPERATE STARTS”: Projected Points – <12 pts)
23. Brandon Weeden CLE (vs BUF): 11.30 ppts
24. Ryan Tannehill MIA (vs NYJ): 9.55 ppts
25. Andrew Luck IND (vs JAX): 9.39 ppts
26. Peyton Manning DEN (vs HOU): 9.14 ppts (the Texans have been murder against opposing quarterbacks so far)
27. Jake Locker TEN (vs DET): 8.76 ppts
28. Russell Wilson SEA (vs GBY): 8.34 ppts
29. Sam Bradford STL (at CHI): 8.34 ppts
30. Blaine Gabbert JAX (at IND): 8.23 ppts 

RUNNING BACKS
TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 13+ pts)
1. Ray Rice BAL (vs NE): 19.58 ppts
2. Arian Foster HOU (at DEN): 15.88 ppts
3. Andre Brown NYG (at CAR): 15.00 ppts (already played, 20 actual points)
4. Trent Richardson CLE (vs BUF): 14.25 ppts (Richardson had a rushing and receiving score in Week 2, look for his success to continue)
5. Reggie Bush MIA (vs NYJ): 13.89 ppts (Bush is second in the NFL in rushing and he is the only way the Dolphins can beat the Jets)
6. Maurice Jones-Drew JAX (at IND): 13.68 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 10 pts)
7. Alfred Morris WSH (vs CIN): 12.83 ppts (look for a bounce-back week from Morris against the Bengals, who have allowed 25.5 points per week on RBs)
8. Michael Turner ATL (at SDG): 12.21 ppts (scored 31 fantasy points in a game against San Diego last year)
9. C.J. Spiller BUF (at CLE): 11.28 ppts
10. Marshawn Lynch SEA (vs GBY): 11.17 ppts
11. Doug Martin TBY (at DAL): 10.94 ppts
12. Darren Sproles NO (vs KCY): 10.77 ppts
13. LeSean McCoy PHL (at ARZ): 10.58 ppts (the Eagles will lean heavily on McCoy with Maclin out and Jackson questionable)
14. Willis McGahee DEN (vs HOU): 10.48 ppts

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 7-10 pts)
15. Kevin Smith DET (at TEN): 9.41 ppts
16. Adrian Peterson MIN (vs SFO): 8.55 ppts (Peterson might get a few points catching the ball because the 49ers run defense is stout)
17. Ryan Mathews SDG (vs ATL): 8.52 ppts (Jackie Battle played well in Mathews’ place, but the Chargers will try to control the clock with Mathews)
18. Chris Johnson TEN (vs DET): 8.48 ppts
19. Donald Brown IND (vs JAX): 8.38 ppts
20. Steven Jackson STL (at CHI): 7.72 ppts (if he plays, he’ll get his yards, but he may be hampered by his groin injury)
21. Jamaal Charles KCY (at NO): 7.63 ppts
22. DeAngelo Williams CAR (vs NYG): 7.19 ppts (already played, 7 actual points)
23. Shonn Greene NYJ (at MIA): 7.16 ppts
24. Darren McFadden OAK (vs PIT): 7.09 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – 5-7 pts)
25. Isaac Redman PIT (at OAK): 6.88 ppts (Mendenhall is out and Dwyer is questionable, Redman had 12 points in a game against Oakland last week)
26. Mark Ingram NO (vs KCY): 6.46 ppts
27. Michael Bush CHI (vs STL): 6.40 ppts (starting for Matt Forte, he might outperform his ranking)
28. Stevan Ridley NE (at BAL): 6.31 ppts (don’t look for much for a second-year back in Baltimore in primetime)
29. Frank Gore SFO (at MIN): 6.25 ppts
30. DeMarco Murray DAL (vs TBY): 6.08 ppts
31. Ben Tate HOU (at DEN): 5.92 ppts
32. BenJarvus Green-Ellis CIN (at WSH): 5.46 ppts

TIER 5 (“DESPERATE STARTS”: Projected Points – <5 pts)
33. Pierre Thomas NO (vs KCY): 4.17 ppts (which of the Saints RBs will be the top scorer this week: my money is on Sproles with Ingram second)
34. Peyton Hillis KCY (at NO): 4.13 ppts
35. Beanie Wells ARZ (vs PHL): 3.50 ppts (Ryan Williams is questionable, so the door may be open for Wells)
36. Jackie Battle SDG (vs ATL): 3.24 ppts (Ryan Mathews is back in the lineup, so Battle goes back to being a backup)
37. Cedric Benson GBY (at SEA): 2.55 ppts
38. Chris Ivory NO (vs KCY): 2.10 ppts
39. Mike Tolbert CAR (vs NYG): 1.76 ppts (already played, 4 actual points)
40. Ryan Williams ARZ (vs PHL): 1.70 ppts

WIDE RECEIVERS
TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 12+ pts)
1. Jordy Nelson GBY (at SEA): 15.67 ppts
2. Calvin Johnson DET (at TEN): 15.23 ppts
3. Victor Cruz NYG (at CAR): 14.12 ppts (already played, 4 actual points)
4. Julio Jones ATL (at SDG): 12.83 ppts (probable with a thigh injury, but he should rebound nicely)
5. Marques Colston NO (vs KCY): 12.39 ppts (if Brees has a big day, Colston will be the top receiver)

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 8-12 pts)
6. Steve Smith CAR (vs NYG): 11.02 ppts (already played, 8 actual points)
7. Percy Harvin MIN (vs SFO): 10.27 ppts
8. Dez Bryant DAL (vs TBY): 8.43 ppts (Dallas receivers look to get hot against the Bucs)
9. Miles Austin DAL (vs TBY): 8.43 ppts
10. Dwayne Bowe KCY (at NO): 8.38 ppts (camp holdout Bowe had a 100-yard week against Buffalo last week)
11. Larry Fitzgerald ARZ (vs PHL): 8.18 ppts (the main man for the Cards in the battle of 2-0 teams against Philadelphia)
12. Brandon Marshall CHI (vs STL): 8.13 ppts
13. DeSean Jackson PHL (at ARZ): 8.13 ppts
14. Malcom Floyd SDG (vs ATL): 8.10 ppts

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 5-8 pts)
15. Roddy White ATL (at SDG): 7.86 ppts
16. A.J. Green CIN (at WSH): 7.86 ppts
17. Michael Crabtree SFO (at MIN): 7.28 ppts (is Crabtree becoming dependable? He has started the year with 7 and 6 catches)
18. Wes Welker NE (at BAL): 7.18 ppts (Welker will be a larger focal point in the offense with Aaron Hernandez out)
19. Vincent Jackson TBY (at DAL): 6.78 ppts (it could be an aerial assault in Dallas today and Vincent Jackson has the height to go up and get Josh Freeman’s passes)
20. Andre Johnson HOU (at DEN): 6.69 ppts
21. Mike Wallace PIT (at OAK): 6.14 ppts
22. Steve Johnson BUF (at CLE): 6.00 ppts
23. Darrius Heyward-Bey OAK (vs PIT): 5.37 ppts
24. Demaryius Thomas DEN (vs HOU): 5.32 ppts
25. Antonio Brown PIT (at OAK): 5.28 ppts
26. Greg Jennings GBY (at SEA): 5.15 ppts (Jennings is questionable with a groin injury suffered in Week 1 and goes up against a surprisingly tough Seattle defense)

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – 3-5 pts)
27. Brandon Lloyd NE (at BAL): 4.81 ppts
28. Reggie Wayne IND (vs JAX): 4.59 ppts
29. Nate Washington TEN (vs DET): 4.58 ppts
30. Lance Moore NO (vs KCY): 3.96 ppts
31. Dexter McCluster KCY (at NO): 3.94 ppts
32. Laurent Robinson JAX (at IND): 3.61 ppts
33. Justin Blackmon JAX (at IND): 3.10 ppts
34. Denarius Moore OAK (vs PIT): 3.02 ppts

TIER 5 (“DESPERATE STARTS”: Projected Points – <3 pts)
35. Brandon LaFell CAR (vs NYG): 2.99 ppts (already played, 2 actual points)
36. Kevin Ogletree DAL (vs TBY): 2.83 ppts
37. Steve Smith STL (at CHI): 2.73 ppts
38. Torrey Smith BAL (vs NE): 2.42 ppts
39. Randy Moss SFO (at MIN): 2.25 ppts
40. Robert Meachem SDG (vs ATL): 1.96 ppts
 
TIGHT ENDS
TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 16+ pts)
1. Rob Gronkowski NE (at BAL): 20.01 ppts
2. Jimmy Graham NO (vs KCY): 17.88 ppts
3. Brandon Pettigrew DET (at TEN): 16.53 ppts (Tennessee has allowed 31 points per game to opposing tight ends)

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 10-16 pts)
4. Vernon Davis SFO (at MIN): 13.95 ppts
5. Antonio Gates SDG (vs ATL): 12.78 ppts (Gates is probable, but I’m sure he wants to get back in there after Dante Rosario scored three times last week)
6. Brent Celek PHL (at ARZ): 12.38 ppts (Celek, an afterthought at fantasy draft time, is pivotal to Vick’s success)
7. Jermichael Finley GBY (at SEA): 11.25 ppts (if he can hold on to the ball, he’ll be valuable in this one)
8. Jason Witten DAL (vs TBY): 10.42 ppts
9. Fred Davis WSH (vs CIN): 10.35 ppts (Davis is off to a slow start, but Cincinnati has allowed 14.5 points per game against opposing TEs)

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 8-10 pts)
10. Jermaine Gresham CIN (at WSH): 9.13 ppts
11. Tony Gonzalez ATL (at SDG): 9.02 ppts
12. Dennis Pitta BAL (vs NE): 8.68 ppts (Pitta is getting most of the looks in Baltimore at the tight end spot over Ed Dickson)
13. Jared Cook TEN (vs DET): 8.17 ppts
14. Coby Fleener IND (vs JAX): 8.00 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – 5-8 pts)
15. Martellus Bennett NYG (at CAR): 7.46 ppts (already played, 19 actual points)
16. Owen Daniels HOU (at DEN): 7.34 ppts
17. Kyle Rudolph MIN (vs SFO): 6.20 ppts
18. Scott Chandler BUF (at CLE): 5.88 ppts (25 points scored this season in the first two weeks)
19. Dallas Clark TBY (at DAL): 5.73 ppts
20. Todd Heap ARZ (vs PHL): 5.53 ppts
21. Heath Miller PIT (at OAK): 5.06 ppts

TIER 5 (“DESPERATE STARTS”: Projected Points – <5 pts)
22. Kellen Davis CHI (vs STL): 4.60 ppts
23. Anthony Fasano MIA (vs NYJ): 4.17 ppts
24. Lance Kendricks STL (at CHI): 4.16 ppts
25. Ed Dickson BAL (vs NE): 3.61 ppts
26. Jacob Tamme DEN (vs HOU): 3.44 ppts (the Texans have shut down the opposition’s passing game)
27. Greg Olsen CAR (vs NYG): 3.39 ppts (already played, 16 actual points)
28. Marcedes Lewis JAX (at IND): 3.20 ppts
29. Will Heller DET (at TEN): 3.16 ppts
30. John Carlson MIN (vs SFO): 3.09 ppts
 
KICKERS
TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 10+ pts)
1. David Akers SFO (at MIN): 12.72 ppts (Akers has length, opportunity, and the 49ers will put some points up)
2. Stephen Gostkowski NE (at BAL): 11.27 ppts
3. Justin Tucker BAL (vs NE): 11.13 ppts (a 56-yarder put Tucker on the map, now he gets to prove himself in primetime)
4. Sebastian Janikowski OAK (vs PIT): 10.60 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 8-10 pts)
5. Jason Hanson DET (at TEN): 9.68 ppts
6. Shayne Graham HOU (at DEN): 9.58 ppts (Graham may benefit from the rarified air in Denver this week)
7. Dan Carpenter MIA (vs NYJ): 9.10 ppts
8. Mike Nugent CIN (at WSH): 8.85 ppts
9. Garrett Hartley NO (vs KCY): 8.71 ppts
10. Billy Cundiff WSH (vs CIN): 8.70 ppts
11. Matt Bryant ATL (at SDG): 8.68 ppts
12. Rob Bironas TEN (vs DET): 8.55 ppts
13. Nate Kaeding SDG (vs ATL): 8.19 ppts

TIER 3 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – <8 pts)
14. Alex Henery PHL (at ARZ): 7.98 ppts
15. Mason Crosby GBY (at SEA): 7.84 ppts
16. Greg Zuerlein STL (at CHI): 7.75 ppts
17. Blair Walsh MIN (vs SFO): 7.69 ppts
18. Jay Feely ARZ (vs PHL): 7.57 ppts
19. Phil Dawson CLE (vs BUF): 7.38 ppts
20. Josh Scobee JAX (at IND): 6.45 ppts
 
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
TIER 1 (“ELITE”: Projected Points – 10+ pts)
1.  Bears CHI (vs STL): 10.35 ppts

TIER 2 (“SOLID STARTS”: Projected Points – 6-10 pts)
2.  Texans HOU (at DEN): 6.97 ppts (the Texans D goes up against Manning, but pass defense is their strength)
3.  Packers GBY (at SEA): 6.77 ppts (do you think the Seahawks will put up 27 points again?)
4.  Jets NYJ (at MIA): 6.5 ppts (the defense is hungry against a team with a rookie quarterback)
5.  Giants NYG (at CAR): 6.4 ppts (already played, 20 actual points)
6.  Cardinals ARZ (vs PHL): 6.4 ppts (the Eagles have turned the ball over 9 times in the first 2 games)
7.  Browns CLE (vs BUF): 6.23 ppts
8.  Lions DET (at TEN): 6.16 ppts
9.  Eagles PHL (at ARZ): 6.15 ppts
10.  Ravens BAL (vs NE): 6.02 ppts

TIER 3 (“MATCHUP STARTS”: Projected Points – 5-6 pts)
11.  Falcons ATL (at SDG): 5.95 ppts
12.  Buccaneers TBY (at DAL): 5.81 ppts
13.  49ers SFO (at MIN): 5.76 ppts
14.  Bills BUF (at CLE): 5.68 ppts
15.  Steelers PIT (at OAK): 5.63 ppts (the Steelers shut the Jets down in the second half showing a good offense is the best defense)
16.  Patriots NE (at BAL): 5.56 ppts
17.  Seahawks SEA (vs GBY): 5.19 ppts

TIER 4 (“FRINGE STARTS”: Projected Points – <5 pts)
18.  Chiefs KCY (at NO): 4.85 ppts
19.  Broncos DEN (vs HOU): 4.83 ppts
20.  Redskins WSH (vs CIN): 4.63 ppts
 
WEEK 3 INJURIES
OUT (0% of playing)
RUNNING BACKS
Ahmad Bradshaw NYG (neck) (Replacement: Andre Brown)
Matt Forte CHI (ankle) (Replacement: Michael Bush)
Fred Jackson BUF (knee) (Replacement: C.J. Spiller)
Jonathan Stewart CAR (ankle) (Replacement: DeAngelo Williams)
Rashard Mendenhall PIT (knee) (Replacement: Isaac Redman)
Jahvid Best DET (PUP, concussion) (Replacement: Kevin Smith)

WIDE RECEIVERS
Jeremy Maclin PHL (hip) (Replacement: Damaris Johnson)
Hakeem Nicks NYG (foot) (Replacement: Ramses Barden)
Jerome Simpson MIN (suspension, eligible to return in Week 4) (Replacement: Michael Jenkins)

TIGHT ENDS
Dustin Keller NYJ (hamstring) – originally ranked #13 among TE (Replacement: Jeff Cumberland)
Aaron Hernandez NE (ankle) (Replacement: Michael Hoomanawanui)

DOUBTFUL (25% of playing)
RUNNING BACKS
Rashad Jennings JAX (knee) (Backup to Maurice Jones-Drew)

WIDE RECEIVERS
Pierre Garcon WSH (foot) (Replacement: Leonard Hankerson)

QUESTIONABLE (50% of playing)
RUNNING BACKS
Mike Goodson OAK (hamstring)
Steven Jackson STL (groin) (Possible replacement: Kyle Richardson)
Brandon Jacobs SFO (knee)
Taiwan Jones OAK (ribs)
James Starks GBY (toe)
Shane Vereen NE (foot)

WIDE RECEIVERS
Doug Baldwin SEA (shoulder)
Marques Colston NO (foot)
Greg Jennings GBY (groin)
Brandon Lloyd NE (thigh)
Dexter McCluster KCY (shoulder)

KICKERS
Sebastian Janikowski OAK (left groin)

PROBABLE (75% of playing)
QB: Drew Brees NO (ankle), Blaine Gabbert JAX (glute), Mark Sanchez NYJ (lower back)
RB: Jamaal Charles KCY (knee), Jonathan Dwyer PIT (toe), Marshawn Lynch SEA (back), Trent Richardson CLE (knee), Bernard Scott CIN (hand), Daniel Thomas MIA (concussion), Beanie Wells ARZ (knee), Ryan Williams ARZ (knee)
WR: Miles Austin DAL (hamstring), Randall Cobb GBY (hamstring), Austin Collie IND (head), DeSean Jackson PHL (hamstring), Calvin Johnson DET (ankle), Julio Jones ATL (thigh), Greg Little CLE (back), Sidney Rice SEA (rest), Emmanuel Sanders PIT (knee), Mike Wallace PIT (groin), Roddy White ATL (knee)
TE: Antonio Gates SDG (ribs), Heath Miller PIT (abdomen), Dante Rosario SDG (calf), Jason Witten DAL (abdomen)

NOTES: Are you serious?  Sidney Rice is on the injury report for “rest”?  A little more important are the minor nagging injuries to Miles Austin and Antonio Gates.  Also, is Mark Sanchez’s lower back going to open a door for Tim Tebow to step in for the Jets?  Both starting wide receivers in Atlanta are probable and the top two running backs in Arizona are also probable.
 
START ‘EM/SIT ‘EM
(number before player name is this week’s positional rankings)
QUARTERBACKS
START: #18 Matt Cassel KCY (at NO): Owned in 33%/Starting in 5% of CBSSports.com leagues
SIT: #26 Peyton Manning DEN (vs HOU): 100 O%/60 St% (CBS)

RUNNING BACKS
START: #15 Kevin Smith DET (at TEN): 98 O%/51 St% (CBS)
START: #25 Isaac Redman PIT (at OAK): 82 O%/24 St% (CBS)
SIT: #24 Darren McFadden OAK (vs PIT): 100 O%/86 St% (CBS)
SIT: #32 BenJarvis Green-Ellis CIN (at WSH): 100 O%/85 St% (CBS)

WIDE RECEIVERS
START: #17 Michael Crabtree SFO (at MIN): 94 O%/44 St% (CBS)
START: #29 Nate Washington TEN (vs DET): 82 O%/12 St% (CBS)
SIT: NR Danny Amendola STL (at CHI): 100 O%/60 St% (CBS)
SIT: NR Eric Decker DEN (vs HOU): 100 O%/59 St% (CBS)

TIGHT ENDS
START: #9 Fred Davis WSH (vs CIN): 78 O%/27 St% (CBS)
SIT: NR Jacob Tamme DEN (vs HOU): 93 O%/43 St% (CBS)

THE BARGAIN BIN
(number before player name is this week’s positional rankings)

Our Week 3 Bargain Bin has a few interesting choices and though all players in the NFL were evaluated, all players this week are on AFC teams.

QUARTERBACKS
#16 Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (at CLE): Owned in 63%/Starting in 9% of CBSSports.com leagues
#20 Mark Sanchez NYJ (at MIA): 28 O%/2 St% (CBS)

RUNNING BACKS
#3 Andre Brown NYG (at CAR): 88 O%/71 St% (CBS)
#38 Jackie Battle SDG (vs ATL): 32 O%/5 St% (CBS)

WIDE RECEIVERS
#32 Laurent Robinson JAX (at IND): 44 O%/5 St% (CBS)
NR Andrew Hawkins CIN (at WSH): 45 O%/20 St% (CBS)

TIGHT ENDS
#13 Dustin Keller NYJ (at MIA): 41 O%/1 St% (CBS)
#19 Scott Chandler BUF (at CLE): 35 O%/20 St% (CBS)

KICKERS
#7 Dan Carpenter MIA (vs NYJ): 22 O%/6 St% (CBS)

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
#7 Browns CLE (vs BUF): 14 O%/6 St% (CBS)

Key:
O% - Percentage that player is owned in CBSSports.com leagues
St% - Percentage that player is started in CBSSports.com league lineups

Fantasy Baseball: Week 15 Primer

WEEK 15 PRIMER

Weekly Best

Weekly Best - Hitters

• All Hitters
1. CF Andrew McCutchen PIT (46 pts - .517/.548/.931, 15-29, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 BB, 3 K)
2. 3B Kevin Youkilis CHW (40 pts - .478/.571/.913, 11-23, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 1 2B, 5 BB, 3 K)
3. LF Tyler Colvin COL (40 pts - .308/.357/.923, 8-26, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 SB)
4. 2B Neil Walker PIT (36 pts - .481/.548/.926, 13-27, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 6 2B, 4 BB, 5 K, 1 CS, 1 GDP)
5. CF Mike Trout LAA (36 pts - .364/.407/.773, 8-22, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 4 SB)

• Hitters Owned by <50% (O%) of CBSSports.com Leagues
1. LF Tyler Colvin COL (40 pts/49 O% - .308/.357/.923, 8-26, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 SB)
2. LF Justin Ruggiano MIA (31 pts/20 O% - .393/.433/.857, 11-28, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 8 K, 1 SB, 2 GDP)
3. RF Garrett Jones PIT (30 pts/24 O% - .385/.370/.731, 10-26, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 3 2B, 5 K)
4. LF Delmon Young DET (30 pts/46 O% - .308/.321/.769, 8-26, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K)
5. 1B Casey Kotchman CLE (29 pts/9 O% - .450/.500/.800, 9-20, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 1 2B 2 BB)

• Hitters Owned by <25% (O%) of CBSSports.com Leagues
1. LF Justin Ruggiano MIA (31 pts/20 O% - .393/.433/.857, 11-28, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 8 K, 1 SB, 2 GDP)
2. RF Garrett Jones PIT (30 pts/24 O% - .385/.370/.731, 10-26, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 3 2B, 5 K)
3. 1B Casey Kotchman CLE (29 pts/9 O% - .450/.500/.800, 9-20, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 1 2B 2 BB)
4. RF Andruw Jones NYY (25 pts/1 O% - .333/.333/.905, 7-21, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, 3 K, 1 GDP)
5. 3B Casey McGehee PIT (25 pts/11 O% - .385/.429/.654, 10-26, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 4 2B, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 GDP, 1 HP)

Weekly Best - Pitchers

• All Pitchers
1. SP Jered Weaver LAA (56 pts - 2-0, 2/2 GS/QS, 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 15 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 7 K)
2. SP James McDonald PIT (50 pts - 2-0, 2/2 GS/QS, 1.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 14 IP, 8 H, 5 BB, 14 K)
3. SP Homer Bailey CIN (50 pts - 2-0, 2/2 GS/QS, 2.45 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 14.2 IP, 12 H, 1 BB, 15 K)
4. SP Bronson Arroyo CIN (45 pts - 3-hit CG shutout, 1 BB, 8 K, W, QS)
5. RP Kenley Jansen LAD (42 pts - 3 SV, 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)

• Pitchers Owned by <50% (O%) of CBSSports.com Leagues
1. SP Bronson Arroyo CIN (45 pts/38 O% - 3-hit CG shutout, 1 BB, 8 K, W, QS)
2. SP Bartolo Colon OAK (39 pts/33 O% - 0-0, 2/2 GS/QS, 1.23 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 14.2 IP, 12 H, 1 BB, 8 K)
3. RP Casey Janssen TOR (37 pts/48 O% - 3 SV, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K)
4. SP Chris Tillman BAL (36 pts/13 O% - 8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, W, QS)
5. SP Jeff Karstens PIT (35 pts/9 O% - 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, W, QS)

• Pitchers Owned by <25% (O%) of CBSSports.com Leagues
1. SP Chris Tillman BAL (36 pts/13 O% - 8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, W, QS)
2. SP Jeff Karstens PIT (35 pts/9 O% - 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, W, QS)
3. SP Zach McAllister CLE (32 pts/15 O% - 1-0, 2/1 GS/QS, 2.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 11.2 IP, 12 H, 3 BB, 13 K)
4. RP Scott Downs LAA (32 pts/27 O% - 2 SV, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)
5. SP Freddy Garcia NYY (31 pts/14 O% - 1-0, 2/1 GS/QS, 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 12 IP, 11 H, 2 BB, 9 K)

Weekly Best statistics are for the games of Week 14 (July 2-8, 2012)

Hot Pick-Ups

• Shallow Leagues
• LF Tyler Colvin COL - Colvin came up with the Cubs and has resurfaced in fantasy relevance with Colorado and if he hits, he'll find at-bats. But, he has Carlos Gonzalez, Michael Cuddyer, and Dexter Fowler taking up spots in the outfield.  With Todd Helton going on the DL, perhaps Cuddyer will play some first base to give Colvin some at-bats.
• SP Jose Quintana CHW - Coming out of the All-Star Break, Quintana is 3-0 in his last 5 starts with a 2.04 ERA, a WHIP of 0.99, and 27 strikeouts.  Although he has only 9 starts this season, he has a foothold on a rotation spot for the next few weeks with John Danks out until August.

• Deep Leagues
• LF Justin Ruggiano MIA - How much stock do you put into a guy like Ruggiano?  He is 30 with 195 at-bats on his resume entering this year, but in 85 at-bats for the Marlins this year, he is .388/.459/.741 and four double-digit fantasy scoring weeks.  Ride the wave while it lasts.
• SP Carlos Villanueva TOR - Villanueva's history was that of a prospect starter turned into a long reliever that had 27 starts for Milwaukee over 5 seasons. Now in his 2nd year in Toronto, he is back in the rotation after 13 starts last year.  In his last two appearances, which were his first 2 starts of the year, he has struck out 13 in 11 innings, going 1-0 with 3 earned runs allowed.

• Hot Drops
• SP Garrett Richards LAA - After four great starts (2-0, 1.69 ERA, 1.31 WHIP), he fell back to Earth quickly with 12 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings against Toronto and Baltimore.  Dan Haren is on the DL, so Richards may get one more start, but Richards, as well as Brad Mills, are on the outside looking in at the Angels rotation that still has Jerome Williams taking up one of the spots for now.
• SP Carlos Zambrano MIA - Zambrano is a victim of the overall disdain for anyone wearing bright orange, blue, and yellow.  In fact, in Big Z's last four starts, he has lasted at least 5 innings and has not allowed more than 4 earned runs in any of those starts.  But, he's 0-2 in that span and has not won since June 3rd and the Marlins have gone 10-21 since Zambrano's last victory.

Injuries

• Here are the players who have returned to action from the DL in the past week:

Player	Date	Days Since Last Game
Holland, Derek SP TEX	7/7/2012	32
Dempster, Ryan SP CHC	7/8/2012	23
Sweeney, Ryan RF BOS	7/7/2012	21

• Here are some of the players who are scheduled to come back in Week 15 (days missed are as of Friday, July 13th):

Player	Days Missed
Cain, Lorenzo CF KC	93+
Ellsbury, Jacoby CF BOS	90+
Bonifacio, Emilio SS MIA	55+
Hernandez, Ramon C COL	50+
Markakis, Nick RF BAL	44+
Kemp, Matt CF LAD	43+
Ethier, Andre RF LAD	15+

2-Start Pitchers

• No 2-start pitchers in Week 15

Schedule Stars

Easy Street

• San Francisco (.384) - vs HOU (7/13-7/15)
• L.A. Dodgers (.388) - vs SDG (7/13-7/15)
• Arizona (.388) - at CHC (7/13-7/15)
• Philadelphia (.391) - at COL (7/13-7/15)
• Texas (.414) - at SEA (7/13-7/15)

Tough Draw

• LA Angels (.612) - at NYY (7/13-7/15)
• Seattle (.605) - vs TEX (7/13-7/15)
• Miami (.590) - vs WSH (7/13-7/15)
• Milwaukee (.565) - vs PIT (7/13-7/15)

• NY Yankees (.558) - vs LAA (7/13-7/15)