Quarterback
MVP: Peyton Manning (Broncos)
It was fitting that Peyton Manning broke the single-season passing touchdown record with another excellent game. Manning threw for 400 yards and 4 TD's on the great Texans passing defense on Sunday afternoon. 2013 has been a dream season for Manning, who continues to perform at freakish levels at age 37. Manning definitely led a majority of his owners to victory this week and is probably responsible for fantasy football titles this year than anyone else.
Honorable Mentions: Andy Dalton (Bengals), Colin Kaepernick (49ers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Matt Ryan (Falcons)
LVP: Philip Rivers (Chargers)
Philip Rivers put up a rare dud at the worst possible time for his fantasy owners. Rivers manged only 201 yards, a TD and an INT against a Raiders defense that is absolutely horrid. Rivers surprised a lot of people (myself included) with his resurgence this season but he ended up being a disappointment when he was needed the most in the world of fantasy football.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Jay Cutler (Bears), Tony Romo (Cowboys)
Running Back
MVP: LeSean McCoy (Eagles)
Huge shocker: LeSean McCoy gouged the last-ranked Chicago Bears rush defense on Sunday night. McCoy displayed his dual-threat ability throughout the entire game racking up 162 total yards and 2 TD's. McCoy has really flourished in Chip Kelly's offense and been lights-out all season long. In my eyes, he's all but a lock for a top 3 pick in next year's fantasy drafts.
Honorable Mentions: DeMarco Murray (Cowboys), Donald Brown (Colts), Joique Bell (Lions), Eddie Lacy (Packers)
LVP: Matt Forte (Bears)
With the Eagles beating the Bears senseless on Sunday night, Matt Forte really didn't have much of a chance to do anything. The normally consistent Forte only had 13 touches (9 carries, 4 receptions) for 54 yards. Even though it was mostly out of his hands, Forte's underwhelming performance still stings especially since the Eagles are a very beatable defense and he had been coming off three straight games with 100+ yards.
Dishonorable Mentions: Giovani Bernard (Bengals), Reggie Bush (Lions), Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars), Lamar Miller (Dolphins)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Eric Decker (Broncos)
While all 3 healthy top Broncos receivers had a good game on Sunday, Eric Decker especially delivered the goods with 10 catches for 131 yards and 2 TD's. Decker has had a huge December that more than made up for his weak November and justified his status as a weekly WR2 and confirms him a relatively-high draft choice for next season.
Honorable Mentions: A.J. Green (Bengals), Pierre Garcon (Redskins), Roddy White (Falcons), Demaryius Thomas (Broncos)
LVP: Mike Wallace (Dolphins)
The Dolphins got straight-up embarrassed by the Bills on Sunday. While the entire Dolphins offense was abysmal, Mike Wallace's 38-yard performance was the most disappointing. Wallace had looked great for 4 of the last 5 games and was facing a Bills secondary that has been getting torched by wideouts all year long. Wallace was up-and-down all season long but he has started to click with Ryan Tannehill of late and could end up having a huge year next season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Calvin Johnson (Lions), Brandon Marshall (Bears), Alshon Jeffrey (Bears), Andre Johnson (Texans)
Tight End
MVP: Julius Thomas (Broncos)
Julius Thomas was at the receiving end of Peyton Manning's record-breaking touchdown on Sunday and headlined yet another subpar week for tight ends in the NFL this year. Thomas has been the biggest surprise this year going from unknown third-stringer to top 5 tight end over the course of a single season. As long as Manning is around and excelling, Thomas should continue to put up good numbers.
Honorable Mentions: Jimmy Graham (Saints), Tony Gonzalez (Falcons), Jermaine Gresham (Bengals), Martellus Bennett (Bears)
LVP: Vernon Davis (49ers)
What the hell happened to Vernon Davis this week? One of the very few breakout tight ends of 2013 did not the deliver the goods this week by failing to bring in a catch this week against the weak Falcons defense. This is especially odd since Davis has been such an integral part of the 49ers offense this season and he was completely ignored by Colin Kaepernick in this game. This blemish aside, Davis has been money in 2013 and should be one of the few tight ends to go in the first 5 rounds of fantasy drafts next season.
Dishonorable Mentions: Jason Witten (Cowboys), Delanie Walker (Titans), Heath Miller (Steelers), Dennis Pitta (Ravens)
Defense
MVP: New England Patriots
It's about damn time the Patriots defense woke up. After failing to deliver the goods since their triumphant performance against the Broncos last month, the Patriots defense was dominating against the Ravens on Sunday. The Patriots registered 4 sacks, 3 INT's, a fumble recovery and 2 touchdowns on the afternoon and just outright dominated the Ravens from start to finish. The Patriots defense was ultimately a middling fantasy pick this season but they certainly had moments of dominance.
Honorable Mentions: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams
LVP: Cleveland Browns
Now on the other end of the spectrum: The Browns defense was coming off a strong performance against the Bears last week before going right back to their disappointing ways against the Jets this week. The Browns couldn't even muster a sack or takeaway against a team that is known to turn the ball over like it's going out of style. The Browns defense has ultimately improved in the real game this season, but their value in fantasy football is still very little at the moment.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers
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