It's playoff time---in fantasy football that is.
Teams with first-round byes had nothing to worry about, while others were battling just to stay in the championship hunt. The toughest thing for teams with byes is when a player has a phenomenal game that doesn't count, but you can't lose if you don't play.
Quarterbacks had some big games in Week 14, but it was the running backs that ruled the statistics, including New York Giants first-round pick David Wilson, who scored three touchdowns.
Scoring for this article is based on a Yahoo fantasy league with one point per reception, one point for every 30 passing yards, one point for 10 rushing yards, one point for 10 receiving yards and six points per touchdown.
QUARTERBACK
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Newton was a fantasy disappointment for the majority of the season, but he has proved to be a valuable commodity down the stretch, especially in this first playoff week.
The second-year pro had his third-straight 30-point performance and was the top-scoring quarterback with 37.17 points. He threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and also had 116 yards rushing with one touchdown. He had an impressive 72-yard touchdown run and the Panthers upset the Falcons to give Atlanta its second loss of the year.
Newton has the ninth-most points in fantasy and is only second behind wide receiver Calvin Johnson in total points over the past four weeks. He also has been careful with the ball, throwing zero touchdowns compared to eight touchdowns over the same stretch.
As a dual-threat, Newton is as important of a fantasy player as Robert Griffin III. He puts up solid quarterback numbers and also has the potential to rush for over 100 yards every week. He has a favorable matchup against a low-rated San Diego defense next week and has a chance for another 30-point outing.
RUNNING BACK
David Wilson, New York Giants
It's about time David Wilson.
After fumbling on the first carry of his NFL career, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has taken it slow with running back David Wilson. He has been stellar returning kicks (more on that in a second), but barely factored into the running game.
After an injury to running back Andre Brown, Coughlin was forced to turn to Wilson this week, to the joy of any fantasy owner lucky enough to start him (and in a league that gives points for return touchdowns).
Wilson had a huge game, gaining a team-record 327 all-purpose yards, including a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He also added his first 100-yard rushing game of his career and had two scores to put up 28 fantasy points against the New Orleans Saints.
Wilson should be an essential pickup in any league and is owned in about 30 percent of Yahoo fantasy leagues. He had only his second double-digit fantasy point day for the season and his first since he posted 10.40 against Cleveland on Oct. 7. Coming into the game, Wilson had only 18.63 fantasy points the entire season.
It wasn't a surprise that he rushed well, considering the Saints give up the second-most fantasy points to running backs, but it was a huge bonus with the success on the kick returns. If Wilson can continue to rush the ball well and maybe break off another return touchdown this season, he would become a very valuable commodity going into next year.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
It's amazing that Adrian Peterson had major surgery on his knee less than a year ago, because he loks healthier than he has ever been in his entire life.
The Vikings running back has already rushed for more yards than he has since 2009 and is on pace for a career-high season total. He has been the most valuable and consistent running back in fantasy football this year and proved it again on Sunday by posting 30.47 points, the fourth-most of any player.
Peterson has rushed for a league-leading 1,446 yards this season and added 154 yards and two touchdowns. He added two receptions for 16 yards and has 246 fantasy points through 13 weeks. Peterson has rushed for at least 100 yards in seven straight games and has eight touchdowns during that time.
He is the highest-scoring running back in fantasy and has scored in double-digits every game this season. He hasn't scored less than 18 fantasy points since Week 5 and had a season high 33 last week against Green Bay.
Next week Peterson has another favorable matchup against the St. Louis Rams and is an essential start for any team who owns him. He could be the one player that could help deliver a league championship.
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Lynch has been nearly as good as Peterson this season and posted 31.40 points to lead all running backs in scoring. He rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns, posting at least 100 yards for the fifth time in seven games.
Next week Lynch faces another weak defense in the Buffalo Bills and has scored four touchdowns over the past two games. Lynch has posted double-digit fantasy points in six of the past seven games.
Lynch is one of the most consistent fantasy backs in all of football and has had only one single-digit scoring game this year. Apart from Peterson, there is no better fantasy back than Lynch.
WIDE RECIEVER
Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
Marshall was the top fantasy wide receiver this week after posting 26.67 points and has been one of the most valuable in the league. He caught 10 balls for 160 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Vikings and has posted double-digit fantasy points in nine of the past 10 games.
Jay Cutler leaving Sunday's game with a neck injury could be devastating for Marshall's value the rest of the way, but he has been amazing this season, setting the Bears' single-season record with 101 receptions.
The Bears have a tough divisional matchup against Green Bay next week, but the game is at home, which could help tip things in Marshall's favor. He caught a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Jackson Campbell, which could be a sign of things to come if he starts next week.
Honorable Mentions:
Danario Alexander, Wide Receiver Chargers
Stats: 7 receptions, 88 yards, 2 touchdowns
Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants
Stats: 259 yards passing, 4 touchdowns
Rooddy White, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 9 receptions, 117 yards, 1 touchdown
