Value Plays - Week 13

  Posted 11/28 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

This article will take a weekly look at players who could provide positive value in a given week. The basis for this value will be the difference between the Top 250 forward, a look at the top 250 players with the whole season in mind, and the weekly rankings. Both of these are from the Footballguys.com subscriber content. An emphasis will be on the players with the largest differences between the season outlook and this week only. Also, a preference will be given to differences for the higher ranked players. Some of these differences will be due to injury, matchup of the week, or short-term situation. Now, let's take a look at this week's value players.

Quarterbacks

Kurt Warner

• Top 250: 11
• Weekly Ranking: 2
• Difference: + 9

Warner moves up from QB19 to QB11 on the Top 250 list, but is still a big value play against the Browns this week. The Cleveland Browns pose a great matchup for Warner and the Cardinal offense. The former Ram and Giant had a great game last week against San Francisco and looks to have another in week thirteen.

A.J. Feeley

• Top 250: 36
• Weekly Ranking: 14
• Difference: + 22

Feeley had a very good game against the New England Patriots on Sunday night. Donovan McNabb will be back soon. This week, Feeley faces the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has a good pass defense, but Feeley should be a strong spot starter this week. He has good weapons and should be productive.

Vince Young

• Top 250: 16
• Weekly Ranking: 12
• Difference: + 4

Vince Young has been playing better as of late. He has been hooking up with Justin Gage often. This week, the former Longhorn gets his hometown Texans. Houston gave up big production to Derek Anderson in week twelve and offer a good matchup for Young.

Jason Campbell

• Top 250: 20
• Weekly Ranking: 10
• Difference: + 10

Jason Campbell has been playing better. This week, he faces the Buffalo Bills. The former Auburn star has been spreading the ball around to more receivers the last couple of games. Campbell is a fantasy starter this week and could surprise. The Bills will be focused on stopping Clinton Portis and the running game, leaving Campbell a chance to strike off of play action.

Running Backs

Jamal Lewis

• Top 250: 12
• Weekly Ranking: 4
• Difference: + 10

Jamal Lewis has played well this season. Last week, he had a big game against the Houston Texans. This week, he faces the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona gave up a huge game to Frank Gore last week. This matchup makes Lewis a must start for fantasy owners this week. Lewis has played surprisingly well in some game this season. His fantasy numbers reflect the former Tennessee Volunteer's ability to find the endzone.

Justin Fargas

• Top 250: 19
• Weekly Ranking: 10
• Difference: + 9

Justin Fargas has surprised many with his play this season since taking over for Lamont Jordan. This week, he faces the weak run defense of the Denver Broncos. The Broncos struggle stopping opposing runners. Fantasy owners can expect the former backup to have a good game.

Ryan Grant

• Top 250: 18
• Weekly Ranking: 8
• Difference: + 10

Ryan Grant has been a pleasant surprise since taking over for the injured DeShaun Wynn. This week, Grant and the Packers face the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. The versatility of Grant allows him to produce good fantasy points even against a good defense like the Cowboys. The Packers are giving Grant plenty of carries every game.

Earnest Graham

• Top 250: 17
• Weekly Ranking: 6
• Difference: + 11

Graham has played well since taking over for Cadillac Williams. This week, he gets a great matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The Buccaneers will try to control the game with a strong running game. The former Gator will get plenty carries and opportunities to score against the Saints.

Kolby Smith

• Top 250: 23
• Weekly Ranking: 12
• Difference: + 11

Kolby Smith exploded last week against the Oakland Raiders. The rookie is the only back left in the Chief Backfield. With Brodie Croyle under center, the Chiefs will look for Smith to carry a heavy load against the Chargers this week. San Diego has had injuries to its defensive line. This is a surprisingly good matchup for the rookie from Louisville.

Wide Receivers

Deion Branch

• Top 250: 25
• Weekly Ranking: 7
• Difference: + 18

Branch is back from injury just in time. Fellow receiver, D.J. Hackett, re-aggravated his ankle injury last week. With the lack of a running game, the Seattle offense will rely heavily on the former Patriot to make plays against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Larry Fitzgerald

• Top 250: 8
• Weekly Ranking: 2
• Difference: + 6

Fitzgerald exploded last week against San Francisco. He was helped by the hail mary catch at the end of the first half, but still was very productive. This week, Fitzgerald and the Cardinals face the Cleveland Browns. This could be a high scoring game. Kurt Warner has been hot and looks to the former Pitt star to make plays. This game will be no different.

Donald Driver

• Top 250: 13
• Weekly Ranking: 8
• Difference: + 5

Driver has put together two good games in a row. This week, Driver and the Packers face the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. The Cowboys have a good defense, but Favre is expected to air it out like he has so far this season.

Wes Welker

• Top 250: 16
• Weekly Ranking: 11
• Difference: + 5

Wes Welker has been one of the biggest surprises this season. This week, he matches up against the nicked up Baltimore secondary. Tom Brady has looked to the former Dolphin for the big catch when he needed it. Welker is a fantasy starter this week and should have a very good game. He can be looked at as a low-end fantasy WR1 this week.

Derrick Mason

• Top 250: 30
• Weekly Ranking: 15
• Difference: + 15

Derrick Mason is on pace for 100 receptions this season. With Mark Clayton injured and ineffective, Mason has picked up the slack. Also, Demetrius Williams is out. The former Titan will be looked on for production as the Ravens try to keep up with the high-powered New England patriots. Mason should have some good garbage time production.

Tight Ends

Chris Baker

• Top 250: 22
• Weekly Ranking: 14
• Difference: + 8

Baker has been involved in the offense the last couple of weeks with the absence of Laveranues Coles. With the matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Baker makes for a low end starting tight end. Baker has enjoyed some good games with Kellen Clemens under center and is always a threat to catch redzone touchdowns.

Tony Scheffler

• Top 250: 14
• Weekly Ranking: 9
• Difference: + 5

Scheffler has emerged the last couple of games just like at the end of last season. He and quarterback Jay Cutler are on the same page. The matchup against the Oakland Raiders is a good one for the young tight end. He is startable this week given the matchup. The injuries to the running backs only help Scheffler's viability this game.

Kicker

Neil Rackers

• Top 250: 13
• Weekly Ranking: 5
• Difference: + 8

Rackers will benefit from the high-scoring game against the Cleveland Browns. Even though he missed a costly field goal last week, the Cardinals will rely on the veteran. The Browns do not have a strong defense and the Cardinals could have a big scoring game. This has the makings of a good game for the Arizona kicker.

Team Defense

Detroit Lions

• Top 250: 22
• Weekly Ranking: 6
• Difference: + 16

The Detroit Lions defense gets a great matchup this week against the Minnesota Vikings. Any chance to face Tarvaris Jackson is a good matchup, especially if the Lions can get a lead. With Adrian Peterson limited, the Lions should have a good chance to cause turnovers and possibly score this week.