WR Reggie Wayne has stepped up his play, just when the Colts needed him most.

Top Performers for Week Thirteen

QB

Tony Romo, Cowboys: How’s this for the American Dream: rise out of obscurity to start for “America’s Team”; lead your team to an 11-1 record, beating the Hall of Famer most people compare you in the process; oscillate between two hot and rich girlfriends (Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson). Uh… what was I talking about here?
Stat Line: 19-30-309, 4 TDs passing; 2-(-2)-0 rushing.

Peyton Manning, Colts: Just keeps on chugging. Amazing how 23 TDs, 3,000+ yards and a 92.5 passer rating constitute a “down” year. Given the injuries, this may be one of Manning’s best overall seasons.
Stat Line: 20-29-288, 4 TDs passing; 3-2-0 rushing.

Luke McCown, Bucs: Took advantage of ridiculous Saints’ playcalling, leading the Bucs to their game-winning drive with no time left on the clock. Will hit the bench as soon as Garcia is ready to get under center.
Stat Line: 29-37-313, 2 TDs passing; 2-34-0 rushing.

Gus Frerotte, Rams: Much better performance for Frerotte this week… then again, considering he fumbled on the last play of the game at the goalline, anything short of accidentally shooting Torry Holt would have been an improvement.
Stat Line: 23-35-311, 3 TDs passing; 2-(-2)-0 rushing.

Vince Young, Titans: Might just be wishful thinking on my part, but it seems as if Young is looking to pass the ball more than to run it lately…if he can make defenses respect his arm this season, he will be unstoppable next season.
Stat Line: 21-31-248, 2 TDs passing; 5-44-0 rushing.

RB

LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers: Still the best overall back in the game, apologies to Westbrook. As the Chargers begin to solidify their AFC West lead, look for the Bolts to get back to basics more—which means plenty of Tomlinson down the stretch.
Stat Line: 23-177-2 rushing; 3-20-0 receiving.

Earnest Graham, Bucs: Gruden will have a happy dilemma on his hands next season when Graham and Caddy Williams will compete for the startong job. Graham is shaping up into a more complete back than Williams.
Stat Line: 22-106-1 rushing; 7-37-0 receiving.

Brian Westbrook, Eagles: Still one of the most dangerous players in the NFL. Had an outstanding fantasy day, and we’re not even counting the one punt he returned 64 yards to set up the Eagles inside the Seahawks’ 20 with time running out—only to have A.J. Feeley toss his third INT of the day to Lofa Tatupu. I can only marvel at the amount of self-restraint that Westbrook exercised in not bitch-slapping the hell out of Feeley.
Stat Line: 21-93-1 rushing; 7-46-0 receiving.

Steven Jackson, Rams: In some weird way, I’m sure some of Jackson’s owners are disappointed to see him do well at this stage of the season—it reminds them of what might have been.
Stat Line: 20-96-1 rushing; 4-71-0 receiving.

Derrick Ward, Giants: Outstanding game by Ward, who took over the lead spot in the Giants RBBC and produced big time. Don’t count on him doing again in 2007, unfortunately, because he broke his leg late in the game and was later placed on IR.
Stat Line: 24-154-1 rushing; 2-29-0 receiving.

< WR

Hines Ward, Steelers: I have to admit that John Madden is right about one thing: I’ve never seen any football player smile on the field as much as Hines Ward does. Put up a great game with Holmes sidelined, and if he can keep up his production after Holmes returns, the Steelers’ offense will look a lot more scary than it currently does.
Stat Line: 11-90-2 receiving.

Roddy White, Falcons: Without much fantasy fanfare, White has put together a solid fantasy season. He is virtually assured of getting his first 1,000 yard season, and he already has a career high in terms of TDs. He isn’t a bad WR3/Flex option in standard leagues.
Stat Line: 10-146-1 receiving.

Reggie Wayne, Colts: Unlike some WR2s, whose effectiveness decreases after the WR1 goes down, Wayne has actually stepped up his performance. Wayne is on pace for career highs in receptions and yards, and just shy of his career high TDs in a season (12).
Stat Line: 8-158-1 receiving.

Terrell Owens, Cowboys: Everyone’s favorite/reviled loudmouth continues to amaze, regardless of your opinion of his rhetoric. Consider this telling stat: in his 12^th NFL season, Owens is maintaining his highest yards per reception average (17.6)—almost a full three yards more than his career average. Wow.
Stat Line: 7-156-1  receiving.

Braylon Edwards, Browns: Finally playing healthy and with a QB that can get him the ball, Edwards is showing why he was the third overall selection in the 2005 draft. The sky is the limit with this kid…
Stat Line: 7-149-1 receiving.

TE

Dallas Clark, Colts: With Harrison out and Gonzalez and Moorehead not really picking up the slack, Clark has stepped in as Manning #2 target.
Stat Line: 7-60-2 receiving.

Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs: Defying all the nay sayers, Gonzalez’ big game last week underscores the outstanding season (72-878-4) he’s put together thus far.
Stat Line: 10-140-0 receiving.

Desmond Clark, Bears: Had a solid game against a team that is notoriously susceptible to good-hands TEs, but the prospects for continued production from Clark are not really there.
Stat Line: 5-76-1 receiving.

Chris Cooley, Redskins: One of the hottest tight end over the past few weeks.
Stat Line: 7-89-0 receiving.

Mercedes Lewis, Jaguars: I’m sure that fantasy owners (and the Jags) expected a lot more from Lewis this season.
Stat Line: 5-42-1 receiving.

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