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This article will take a weekly look at players who could provide value in a given 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 Insider 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.
Quarterback
Top 200 ranking: 10
Weekly ranking: 7
Difference: +3
Newton is coming off a big game passing and running the football and looks to have another favorable matchup in Green Bay. We expect the Panthers to need to pass often in order to keep up with the prolific Packers offense. This game could be a shootout with each team struggling to stop – or even slow down – the other.
Top 200 ranking: 18
Weekly ranking: 11
Difference: +7
Flacco is coming off a monster game against Tampa Bay and gets another soft defense from the NFC South. The Ravens passer has dominated NFC teams and get the Atlanta Falcons at home this week. Atlanta has not been strong on defense. With Torrey Smith complementing Steve Smith, this could be another high scoring game for the Ravens. The Falcons have the firepower to keep up so this could end up as a game with each team scoring in the 40s, and fantasy owners doing well.
Running Back
Top 200 ranking: 6
Weekly ranking: 3
Difference: +3
Ellington has played well since taking over the primary back role in Arizona. The plus matchup against the Oakland Raiders leads us to rank the young ball carrier over some of the NFL's premier running backs. The game looks to be one in which the Cardinals control, leaning heavily on the running attack in the second half. Even in last week's contested matchup, Oakland ceded big yardage to San Diego's Branden Oliver, an undrafted rookie making his first start.
Top 200 ranking: 45
Weekly ranking: 21
Difference: +24
The rookie suffered through a tough game against the Eagles last Sunday night. The contest was out of reach early and Williams adds very little in the passing game. We expect the Giants to look to establish the running game early against the Cowboys this week. This is a game New York can win if the running attack gets going. Rashad Jennings is out of action at least one more game.
Top 200 ranking: 19
Weekly ranking: 14
Difference: +5
Thomas is coming off the bye week and the Saints travel to meet the Lions. We expect New Orleans to be playing from behind most of the game, leaving the good-receiving Thomas ample of pass targets … even if Mark Ingram is back healthy. New Orleans will not be able to run the ball on Detroit and will be forced into dumping the ball of to the backs (e.g., Thomas) without a healthy Jimmy Graham.
Wide Receiver
Top 200 ranking: 23
Weekly ranking: 11
Difference: +12
Sanu is the only healthy starting receiver playing for the Bengals against the Colts this week. A.J. Green is still out with the toe injury. The Indianapolis secondary is not strong and Sanu could have another big game. He should get plenty of targets. There is no reason for Sanu to still be available on the waiver wire, like he is in some leagues. Sanu is a legitimate threat to finish in the Top 20 at his position.
Top 200 ranking: 24
Weekly ranking: 14
Difference: +10
Randle assumes the primary receiver role as Victor Cruz out for the season. The Giants face the Cowboys in a game in which the underdog will pass enough to give Randle an opportunity for a big outing. Randle is the type of receiver who could heat up the rest of the season if he gets strong quarterback play.
Top 200 ranking: 19
Weekly ranking: 8
Difference: +11
Tate has assumed the top receiver role since Calvin Johnson was forced out of action. The matchup against the defenseless New Orleans Saints should make the ex-Seahawk a great start this week. We like his chances at topping the 100-yard mark once again. The Lions have few play-makers and will rely on Tate to have a big game. In fact, he might be the difference between a win and and a loss.
Tight End
Top 200 ranking: 13
Weekly ranking: 6
Difference: +7
Reed looked to be back to full form against the Cardinals last week. He gets a great matchup against the Titans this Sunday. Tennessee is the team you want your fantasy tight end to face. Last week, Reed led Washington in pass targets and has a great chance to do so once again.
Top 200 ranking: 11
Weekly ranking: 4
Difference: +7
Cameron and the Browns get a great matchup against the Jaguars this week. The young tight end looks to be dealing with the shoulder injury well enough to lead his team in receiving, like last week in the blowout victory against the Steelers. Jacksonville has a porous defense and will allow Cameron to roam the middle of the field.
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.
