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This article will take a weekly look at players who are overvalued in a given week. Negative value is when a player offers more long-term value than he does for this week. The basis for this value will be the difference between the Top 200 forward, a look at the top 200 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 negative value players.
Quarterback
Top 200 ranking: 8
Weekly ranking: 14
Difference: -6
Roethlisberger has enjoyed a few monster fantasy games of late, including the garbage-time explosion against New Orleans last Sunday. The game in Cincinnati this weekend looks to be lower scoring and one in which the two division opponents will struggle for points. There are better options this week.
Top 200 ranking: 9
Weekly ranking: 13
Difference: -4
Even with receiver Roddy White expected back in the lineup this week, we do not like Ryan's chances of having a big game against the Packers defense. This is the same defense that held Tom Brady and the Patriots in check a week ago. In addition, consider that Atlanta – a dome team – will be playing outdoors in Green Bay in December. The only hope is garbage time after Green bay mounting a huge lead.
Running Back
Top 200 ranking: 5
Weekly ranking: 9
Difference: -4
Charles is having a solid fantasy season, even while going without a large workload many weeks. The game in Arizona against the stout Cardinals run defense will provide a challenge to the Chiefs running game. Kansas City is coming off the dominating loss on Sunday night and will need the ground attack to be successful in order to rebound. He is still a fantasy RB1 this week, just one without a ton of upside.
Top 200 ranking: 12
Weekly ranking: 23
Difference: -11
McCoy and the Eagles offense will be tested this week as Seattle comes to town. We do not like McCoy's chances of having a huge fantasy day against one of the better defenses in the NFL. The Philadelphia back's ceiling this week is much lower than normal as the Seahawks will be planning to slow down the explosive McCoy and make Mark Sanchez beat them through the air.
Top 200 ranking: 11
Weekly ranking: 14
Difference: -3
Mason is coming off a big performance against the Oakland Raiders a week ago. Many expect him to have another solid game against Washington this Sunday. We are not so sure. The Washington rush defense is solid and the Rams offense struggles when playing outside the Edward Jones Dome. Plus, it Mason struggles for a big workload most weeks.
Wide Receiver
Top 200 ranking: 4
Weekly ranking: 12
Difference: -8
Gordon is a superstar. There is no doubt. However, we do not like his chances of going off against the Indianapolis Colts this week. Indianapolis has an underrated secondary and will look to contain Gordon. Also, Brian Hoyer is expected to start at quarterback for Cleveland. This only adds to the risk of Gordon's fantasy production. He has not been able to throw for big yardage very often. Any possible bad weather could push Gordon down the rankings even further.
Top 200 ranking: 14
Weekly ranking: 21
Difference: -7
Maclin has enjoyed a great season, especially since this is his last year under contract with Philadelphia. We are not expecting a big outing for Maclin with Seattle coming to town. There is a good chance that he will see a lot of Richard Sherman. Maclin will have better fantasy matchups in the coming weeks.
Top 200 ranking: 21
Weekly ranking: 31
Difference: -10
Landry has quietly enjoyed a solid season. The game against the Baltimore Ravens this week could be a tough one for the talented rookie. He is stills startable as a fantasy WR3, but we are requesting owners temper expectations. Baltimore needs to win in order to remain alive in the playoff chase and will be fired up defensively for the contest.
Tight End
Top 200 ranking: 4
Weekly ranking: 13
Difference: -9
Even with the strong play of Fleener while Dwayne Allen was sidelined, there is uncertainty of their respective roles now that Allen appears ready to get back on the field. Each tight end could move dramatically in the Top 200 next week.
Top 200 ranking: 14
Weekly ranking: 18
Difference: -4
Rudolph is still getting up to speed after recovering from injury. The Vikings face a Jets team which has statistically performed well against opposing tight ends.
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.