Week 14 Wrap Up

Stars

Brian Westbrook - For the second straight week, Brian Westbrook heads the list of Stars for the week.  This is starting to look less like the Fantasy Factor and more like the "Brian Westbrook Blog".  In a big surprise to the defending champs, he gained over 200 total yards and scored 2 TDs.  Who needs practice when you're as talented as B-West?  Next week, the Eagles host the Cleveland Browns.  Can he do the three-peat?

(Photo by Bill Kostroun / AP)

Matt Schaub - In his first game back since Week 9, the Pittsburgh native showed that cold weather only makes him better.  Schaub threw for over 400 yards and 2 TDs in the Texans 24-21 victory over Green Bay. 

Chris Johnson - Making his second straight appearance in the Stars club, Johnson rushed over 1000 yards for the season with his 136 yard, 1 TD performance against the Browns.  Johnson should keep it rolling as he has the Texans next week and the Colts two weeks after that.  Its a shame that LenDale White keeps stealing his TDs, otherwise Johnson could very easily be in the top 3 of fantasy performers.

Pierre Thomas - If you're not a Saints fan or missed Week 17 of last season, you probably have no idea who Pierre Thomas is?  He's third on the Saints depth chart, but with Deuce nearing a suspension and Reggie Bush easing back into his role as starting tailback, Thomas has picked up the slack and has done it in a big way.  In a critical divisional matchup with Atlanta, Thomas rushed for over 100 yards and scored two big 4th quarter TDs to lead his team to victory.  Everytime he's used, he racks up big numbers, which begs the question... why don't the Saints use him more?  He's Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister rolled into one.

Steelers Defense - Not that this comes as any surprise to Pittsburghers, but this is one GREAT defense.  After watching James Harrison plow his way through the Cowboys line to stop Tashard Choice on 4th and inches, you knew right then, that the defense was not going to allow a loss today.  This was the Dallas Cowboys offense, one of the best in the league.  No, they didn't have Marion Barber, but Choice played amazing, maybe even better than Barber would have done.  Considering the Steelers had and still have the toughest schedule in the league and how well this defense is playing, they have to be one of the best I have ever seen.  Three INTs, a fumble recovery and a TD.  Funny, I read somewhere that was going to happen.

Stumblers

Marshawn Lynch - When the Bills don't make the playoffs this year, they can point to one man.  Lynch ran for just 31 yards on 13 carries against the Dolphins this week.  With JP Losman under center, its not really his fault.  The Dolphins just needed to load up the box and force Losman to beat them.  But come on, its the Dolphins. 

Tony Romo - By far, Romo's worst performance of the season.  Not a great time for it either (fantasy playoff time).  It was against the best defense in football, but interceptions were just brutal.  The receivers were not looking for the ball and they couldn't have occurred at a worse time.  When you play against a defense like the Steelers, you need to be more careful with the football and Romo couldn't have been more careless.

Brett Favre - If you had Favre in your lineup this week, let me ask you something...  Why?  Didn't you learn when he choked against the Bengals and Raiders.  Didn't you learn last week when he finished with a 60.9 QB rating at home against the Broncos?  Favre wasted another soft matchup by blowing it against the 49ers.  He finished with just 137 yards passing, zero TDs and 1 INT and a 60.8 QB rating. 

Steven Jackson - The fans of St Louis rejoiced as their best / highest paid player took the field for the second straight week.  That's the first time that has happened since early October, back when they had a snowball's chance.  With the Cardinals having trouble stopping the run lately, the Rams could smell the upset.  The smell of an upset quickly turned into the smell of burning though as Jackson rushed for just 64 yards and lost two fumbles as the Rams got creamed 34-10. 

LaDainian Tomlinson - When you're considered to be one of the best in the game and are known for mopping up the floor with the Raiders and you only get 91 yards and a TD, its a disappointment.  Some people consider that to be a decent fantasy game, but 15 points at home against the Raiders when you're LaDainian Tomlinson, to me, is a sub par performance.  Next week, he's headed to Kansas City.