It is now week 14 of the 2013 season and most fantasy leagues are transitioning into their playoff brackets. So let’s take a look back at some of the top fantasy performances of 2013. I’ve been able to trim my list to a top 10 performances but there were so many that I wish I could put in the list. Like the week one performances from Victor Cruz, Anquan Boldin, and Colin Kaepernick. Michael Vick barely missed the top 10 with his week two performance, 428 passing yards and a sweet 34.52 fantasy points. Other players on my honorable mention are Antonio Brown, Tom Brady, and Alshon Jeffery who all had stellar individual performances this year. But lets kick it off with my pick for the number 10 performance of the 2013 season.
10. Aaron Rodgers 480 yards, four touchdowns and 34.90 fantasy points in Week 2
Rodgers lit up the Washington Redskins in week two getting his team a win 38-20. This game was a perfect storm for Rodgers and the Packers and a nightmare for the Redskins. The Packers were looking for revenge after losing week one against the 49er’s and the Redskins defense was…..will still is struggling. The stage was set up perfectly for Rodgers to go off and rack up the fantasy points.
9. Bobby Rainey 163 rushing yards, three total touchdowns and 34.70 fantasy points in Week 11
Rainey had more points in week 11 than he did the rest of the season and all of last year combined. In this game against the Atlanta Falcons he scored the only three touchdowns he’s tallied in his two year career. Rainey tallied two touchdowns on the ground and 1 through the air in the performance of his life.
8. Marvin Jones 122 receiving yards, four touchdowns and 36.20 fantasy points in Week 8
Jones had a career day against the New York Jets in week 8. He pulled in a career high eight catches along with 122 yards. What really made the day special for Jones and the Bengals was his four receiving touchdowns, that helped the team capture a 49-9 blowout win.
7. Calvin Johnson 14 catches for 329 yards, one touchdown and 36.90 fantasy points in Week 8
Johnson is the best receiver in the game and he made it known in week 8 against the good ole Dallas Cowboys.
With Dallas receiver Dez Bryant throwing some fuel on the fire before the game Johnson was no doubt marking his territory as top receiver in the NFL.
He went off for 329 yards on 14 catches.
He fell seven yards short of Flipper Anderson’s single game record, but he was able to see Bryant through a temper tantrum at the end of the game.
6. Josh Gordon 261 receiving yards, two touchdowns and 38.10 fantasy points in Week 13
The Cleveland Browns were thinking about trading Gordon at the deadline, but I think they’re pretty happy they didn’t. Gordon has turned into one of the best young receivers in the league. His week 13 performance against Jacksonville might not save his teams season, but it’s a sign of things to come. He’s had a good season and has gone over 20 fantasy points a couple times this just happens to top the others. Watch out for Gordon in the future he’ll be a very productive receiver in the future.
5. Andre Johnson 229 yards, three touchdowns and 40.90 fantasy points in Week 9
Johnson is one of the best receivers in the league, and he has proved it this year as the team around him has not performed well. In week 9 Johnson did his best to put the team on his back as he went crazy on Colts defense. He racked up 229 yards and three touchdowns but the Texans still came up short by three points. It will be interesting to see if Johnson stays in Houston next year after they find themselves back on the bottom of the NFL.
4. Tony Romo 506 passing yards, five touchdowns and 40.94 fantasy points in Week 5
Romo and the Cowboys stood up to the big sheriff and the Denver Broncos.
Romo went over 500 yards passing and tallied up 5 throwing touchdowns.
The Cowboys and Broncos each went over 40 points and the Cowboys and Romo had a chance to win in the final minutes of the game.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys it ended when Romo threw an ugly interception and the Broncos winning 51-48.
3. Eric Decker 174 yards, four touchdowns and 41.40 fantasy points in Week 13
Decker awoke from a 4 week slumber where he hadn’t really done much. Before the game last week against the Kansas City Chiefs many were saying Decker should be sat or was a low end second receiver for fantasy based on his struggles. Well I hope you started him because he went big for Denver picking up 174 yards on eight catches and four touchdowns. Thanks to his performance the Broncos have put a choke hold over the Chiefs and the division.
2. Nick Foles 406 yards, seven touchdowns and 45.64 fantasy points in Week 9
Foles who was a back up quarterback to start off the year has played so well since coming in for Vick. In Week 9 he made history tying the NFL record for touchdowns in a game with 7. What’s so amazing about Foles week 9 performance and his 2013 season is that he has yet to throw an interception. He currently has 1791 yards and 19 touchdowns in eight games. The Eagles are currently battling for the NFC East division title but if they don’t make the playoffs Foles should no doubt find himself in the Pro Bowl this year.
1. Peyton Manning 462 yards, seven touchdowns and 46.28 fantasy points in Week 1
Manning started the season out with one of the best performances of the season and maybe his career. He torched the Ravens defense for 462 yards and a NFL record tying 7 touchdown passes. Manning and the Broncos started off hot with this 49-27 rematch of last years “Miracle at Mile high” game.
The Broncos explosive offense carried them to the season opening win and has made them the Super Bowl favorites for the AFC. Manning has had one of the best individual years in NFL history. With four games left and at the pace he’s going, he has the chance to finish with over 50 touchdown passes and over 5,500 yards. Can’t wait to see how the rest of the season and the playoffs with go for Manning and Denver.