Week 13 fantasy roundup

By RotoExperts.com Staff, Special to SI.com

With 112 yards against the Chargers, Roddy White proved again why he is one of the NFL's most effective wide receivers. AP

The RotoExperts.com Staff reviews the Week 13 action through the fantasy lens.

Jacksonville at Houston

Houston's decisive win over Jacksonville was a showcase for rookie running back Steve Slaton, who quelled any lingering doubts about his health by delivering the best game of his career. He totaled 182 yards from scrimmage and scored twice. Now, his owners have nothing more to worry about as their fantasy playoffs begin.

The Houston running back stable is depleted, but Slaton is proving that he can carry a significant workload, and the team has preserved him well. He touched the ball 23 times on Monday night, consistently displaying good vision, quick bursts through holes, and the ability to accelerate into higher gears when he hits the second level of defenders. Such qualities have solidified Slaton as a prime RB2 again as the fantasy postseason begins in many leagues. Gone are the whispers that the smallish-yet-exciting running back was either banged up, hitting the notorious rookie wall, or both.

The Texans lack a true goal-line ballcarrier, as Slaton was denied a possible touchdown on three consecutive attempts late in the third quarter. Yet, he bounced back to score twice in the fourth, including a late 40-yard scoring run against a tired, beaten Jacksonville defense. The long TD served mostly as window dressing by that point, but it was an excellent bonus for Slaton's fantasy owners, further proving his resiliency. You can't keep a determined runner like Slaton out of the end zone for too long, even if he lacks the bulk to punch the ball in when he carries in short space.

Houston will be careful not to overwork Slaton in the final weeks, though. All they really have behind him on the depth chart is Ryan Moats, another small scatback type who isn't nearly as dangerous to opposing defenses. With no other RB on the roster who can truly split time with Slaton, the Texans staff will have to carefully distribute his workload over the course of the final games. You can start him with great confidence during your playoffs, as he has rushed for over 100 yards in two of the past three games and had the best "comforting" week of any RB other than Brian Westbrook.

It was pleasant to see Andre Johnson score for just the second time in seven games. Kevin Walter was held to only 38 receiving yards on two receptions, a disappointing outing when you consider how steady he has been for most of the year. Most wide receivers, even the best ones, have off weeks here and there. Plus, there's a good chance Matt Schaub could return to action next week, which means the ball will be distributed in a more balanced manner among the Houston pass-catchers again. Sage Rosenfels threw for 200 yards, one TD, and an interception. Those aren't terrible numbers, but he has been a big disappointment in Schaub's absence. His shaky decision-making skills are certainly keeping the numbers of Houston's top pass-catchers down a bit overall. Owen Daniels caught only two passes for 25 yards, and his season may be revived if Schaub can return next week.

There's really no reason to own David Garrard in fantasy leagues with the postseason looming. He threw for 287 yards, one TD, and one interception on Monday night, and no owner with true aspirations of winning it all would start him. There are certainly better backups out there, and most smart owners have found an alternative option as a No. 2 fantasy QB by now.

Fred Taylor rushed for 67 yards on nine carries and scored his first rushing TD, but he has been very unreliable this season and won't be useful in most fantasy playoff scenarios, either. Maurice Jones-Drew totaled 71 yards from scrimmage, a respectable performance overall. Matt Jones led all receivers with eight catches for 104 yards and a TD. He has scored only twice this season, but Garrard is doing a good job of targeting him downfield and in the red zone. Jones did a nice job of catching a few high throws, plucking them out of the air like a tall kid taking groceries off the top shelf in the supermarket. Garrard is realizing that he should rely more on Jones, so you can give him strong starting consideration during your fantasy playoffs in larger leagues.

Reggie Williams scored for the second consecutive game, but it was on a garbage time play. While he is getting more key looks from Garrard recently, you really can't depend on Williams during the fantasy postseason. Jerry Porter caught only two passes for 39 yards, but he does command defensive respect, allowing Jones and Williams to get open more often. You shouldn't own Porter, but it will be helpful to the Jacksonville offense if he stays healthy in the final weeks.

Kansas City at Oakland

Tyler Thigpen failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time since being named the Chiefs starter. He also rushed for 48 yards. Consider the poor outing just a minor speed bump for Thigpen, who has two bottom-feeder defenses, Denver and San Diego up next on the schedule. As expected, Dwayne Bowe had a tough afternoon with Nnamdi Asomugha all over him, and Mark Bradley, who figured to see increased looks, didn't have a single catch. As with Thigpen, write this game off as just a tough matchup with a good secondary. Bowe is still a reliable WR2 going forward, and Bradley can be useful as a flex play. Larry Johnson received his highest workload since Week 4, carrying the ball 24 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. Johnson has been at his best when given 20-plus carries this season (four times), averaging 121.2 rushing yards and scoring all four of his touchdowns in those games. With a very fantasy-friendly schedule coming up, Johnson should be able to continue to approach those numbers, so consider him a high-end RB2.

JaMarcus Russell completed only 35 percent of his passes for 132 yards and failed to throw a touchdown. In terms of full-time starting quarterbacks, Russell ranks as one of the worst from a fantasy perspective. He shouldn't be owned in anything but dynasty leagues. Zach Miller had five catches for 79 yards against Kansas City; he is about as consistent as they come at the tight end position. Justin Fargas had 82 yards on 18 carries and scored his first touchdown of the season. He continues to see twice as many carries as Darren McFadden, and has emerged as a good RB3 option. McFadden failed to expand on his productive outing two weeks ago, rushing seven times for just 13 yards. He did have three catches for 50 yards. His time will come, but for now, keep him on lockdown.
-- Chris Ryan

Atlanta at San Diego

Philip Rivers had a miserable day, completing 17-of-30 passes for 149 yards and no scores. It was the second time in three games that he's been held without a touchdown pass, and the yardage total was his lowest of the season. Rivers has definitely struggled of late, but when he's on, he's one of the top quarterbacks in fantasy. He should remain a weekly starter unless an incredible matchup for your backup dictates otherwise. Surprisingly, Malcom Floyd led all Chargers with five catches for 59 yards, while Chris Chambers had one catch and two yards. Vincent Jackson did not have a reception. Floyd is worth picking up, but with so many options on the Chargers, combined with the uncertainty surrounding all three receivers, none is worth starting at this point. LaDainian Tomlinson rushed 14 times for 24 yards, although he did score a touchdown and contributed another 42 yards on five catches. Tomlinson is still finding ways to consistently put up double-digit fantasy days, and should still be looked on as a RB1. After not throwing a scoring pass in his last two games,

Matt Ryan bounced back with two touchdown tosses, and his 207 yards marked the seventh consecutive outing that he's topped the 200-yard plateau. Don't expect monster numbers from him, but as a steadying force, "Matty Ice" is a fine play. Roddy White remains his top target (six receptions for 112 yards), but Ryan's starting to get other guys involved as well. After returning a punt for a touchdown and running in for another score last week, Harry Douglas caught a touchdown pass against the Chargers. He only finished with three catches for 13 yards however, and still isn't worth more than an add in deeper leagues. Michael Jenkins had his worst game of the season, catching only one ball for 22 yards. Consider him a matchup play in your flex spot over the last few weeks. If you're really scraping the bottom of the barrel at tight end, you may be able to find some value in Justin Peelle. In his first game as the starter, he caught three passes for 38 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown.
-- C.R.

Baltimore at Cincinnati

Speaking of surprising rookie quarterbacks, how about Joe Flacco? He completed 19-of-29 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals, and has now thrown multiple scores in four of his last five games. Unfortunately, his schedule over the next couple of weeks (Washington and Pittsburgh), isn't exactly conducive to great fantasy numbers. Flacco shouldn't be started as anything other than a QB2 if your league allows it. Mark Clayton took advantage of a disinterested Cincinnati secondary, and posted a career high 164 yards on five catches (he also threw a 32-yard touchdown). Clayton has caught long touchdowns in back-to-back weeks, but Derrick Mason -- who had six grabs for 91 yards and a score -- is still the go-to guy. Clayton should be added in all formats, but is not quite worthy of starting consideration. Le'Ron McClain received the most carries out of the Ravens running backs for the second straight week, totaling 86 yards on 25 attempts. Ray Rice saw some action as well, catching four balls and rushing for 41 yards on 11 carries. Despite being healthy, Willis McGahee saw no playing time. John Harbaugh claimed that decision was "strategic," and that McGahee is simply being rested for the stretch run. It's impossible to decipher which running backs Harbaugh will go with on a week-to-week basis, making all three ownable, but not startable.