On the Rise, On the Fall - Week 13 Dec 1, 2008 | More

Welcome to Week 13 of “On the Rise, On the Fall.” Throughout the season, I will discuss players whose stock is rising and others who are not having the same luck. I will avoid naming the obvious studs – Marshawn Lynch, Roddy White, etc – and will keep to players whose performance was not as foreseeable.

On the Rise

Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals : If he wasn’t before, Breaston should now be considered a weekly start, especially with the Cardinals’ upcoming schedule. He continues to make plays and have a good amount of receptions per game. The next two games include home dates with St. Louis and Minnesota. Expect Breaston to rack up the yards and catches in those games yet again.

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams : Jackson’s back! His return is just in time for the playoffs. With games @ Arizona, vs. Seattle, and vs. San Francisco on tap, Jackson could make up for his time lost with a few big playoff games. Check the post-game and practice reports this week to make sure he did not have any setbacks.

Brandon Jackson, RB, Packers : This depends on the status of Ryan Grant, but he looked much more impressive on Sunday. He ran for 80 yards on 11 carries while Grant ran for 39 yards on 12 carries before leaving the game with an injury. The Packers season took a hit with their home loss to Carolina, but Jackson can still help you through the fantasy playoffs.

Studs of the Week

Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles: A four-TD, 130 total yard Thanksgiving performance will earn you the Stud of the Week. It was a shame that some owners kept him on their bench because of the injury concern.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: What a steal he has been for owners who stayed patient with his split with Jonathan Stewart. All four of his touchdowns came on one-yard runs (two of which Steve Smith brought to the one on big catches) and he could have had five TDs had Jake Delhomme not stolen a bootleg TD from the one. He received 21 carries compared to Stewart’s four and will face the Buccaneers in a huge NFC South showdown on Monday Night Football.

On the Fall

Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants : Yup, shooting yourself in the leg will deem you “on the fall.” When I first heard this, I said you wouldn’t see Burress in Giant blue again. With all that has happened since the initial report, I believe that even more. He was an important piece to the Giants championship last season, but expect New York to move on without him.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns : I had him “on the rise” a few weeks back as I expected Brady Quinn to be under center. However, that is no longer the case. Derek Anderson’s season appears to be over, but even before his injury, things were not looking good for Braylon. His upcoming schedule includes dates with the Titans and Eagles. If you need the roster space, feel free to do what Braylon does best and drop him.

Duds of the Week

Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: The weather wasn’t exactly cooperative, but 15/21 for 125 yards and two interceptions? That won’t cut it against the Browns. He also was unable to get in on a 4^th-and-goal QB sneak in the first half. The Colts offense did not reach the endzone once yet they managed to win the game. Expect big rebound performances from Peyton in the next two games in the dome against the Bengals and Lions.

Buffalo Bills : Congratulations on being the first East coast team in the league to lose to a West coast team at home! For those who thought the Bills were still alive after that win in Kansas City, think again. How do you put up just three points against the 49ers? How does your kicker hit the same upright twice in the same game? So many questions, so little answers.

One Week Wonder

Mark Clayton, WR, Ravens : Clayton had an impressive catch and throw on Sunday, but he has not been consistent this year with only a few good games. Joe Flacco is the real deal, but with tough matchups ahead (Redskins and Steelers), don’t expect Clayton to put up even half of these numbers. Plus, Mason is still the No. 1 target in Baltimore.

That’s all for this week’s edition. If you have any questions or comments, e-mail me at pags2122@yahoo.com. Thanks for all of your e-mails so far!