MVN: Most Valuable Network

After an off-the-hizzie week 12 in which NFL teams posted a combined total of 837 points, scoring in week 13 fell faster than General Motors stock; a relatively meager 661 points was the result and fantasy players doubtlessly saw their point totals drop. In the words of the immortal Johnny Carson, that's "weird, wild stuff." Let's review:

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning seems determined to make me look bad. After I made him my number two choice at the quarterback position in week 13 against the dismal Cleveland Browns, he proceeded to squeeze out a festering turd on the carpet of Browns Stadium. Fantasy-wise, I have no idea what to do with him for the rest of the year.

Nobody predicted a four-touchdown outburst from the likes of Carolina Panthers workhorse DeAngelo Williams, but four of my five recommendations at running back finished among the top six rushers in week 13. Buffalo Bills RB Marshawn Lynch disappointed by failing to enter the end zone (though 134 yards on 16 carries is nothing to shake a stick at), but Thomas Jones, Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson all rang up huge scores for fantasy owners. Admittedly, this is not rocket science, but... you're welcome.

He continues to lose carries to Williams, but Panthers rookie Jonathan Stewart has a knack for showing us why he is a future stud. On only four carries, Stewart ran for an incredible 58 yards. He is definitely going to be high on my wish list come 2009.

While we are on the subject of the Panthers, former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith has still got mad skills. For evidence of such, look no further than his ridiculous circus catch inside the ten-yard line near the end of the fourth quarter. The play put the Panthers in position to win the game and showcased why he still belongs in the discussion of most talented receivers in the NFL. His fantasy stats are not as sexy as some other players, but he is a solid number two receiver.

I own Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian in one of my fantasy leagues and the dude is absolutely infuriating. He seems to have either an awful game or an amazing one, with no games in between. At this point, you have to start him as a low-end number two or number three receiver and then just hold your breath and hope for 99-yard touchdown passes.

Another running back to keep you eye on for next season is Pittsburgh Steelers number two Mewelde Moore. The 26-year-old Tulane product has filled in nicely for injury-prone, manhood-questionable starter Willie Parker and could come cheaply in 2009 drafts. However, Parker's four-year contract expires at the end of 2009 and he could be motivated to perform next season. We will monitor this situation in the months to come.

Speaking of free agency, the class of the free agent pool in '09 is almost certainly going to be New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs. The guy is a monster with fleet feet and soft hands and will command big dollars this off-season. Solid backup Derrick Ward will also be a free agent next year and that could bode well for Ahmad Bradshaw's draft status next season.

Just when you thought it was safe to pronounce him dead, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb showed the football world why you can never count him out. Out of town for Thanksgiving, I spent the day at a house without the NFL Network and had to keep up with the Cardinals-Eagles bloodbath through ESPN and the internet. I could not believe my eyes when I loaded my fantasy league and saw that he had 260 yards and four touchdowns. Wow -- thank goodness I was not facing him.

Did anyone start Denver Broncos running back Peyton Hillis last week? The rookie out of Arkansas, playing in only his fifth game, rolled up 129 yards on 22 carries against the New York Jets and scored his fourth touchdown in the last three games. In fact, since week nine Hillis has AVERAGED 14 fantasy points per game. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is talking as though he is very interested in keeping Hillis involved in the offense. Pick him up if you have the roster space, especially as Denver faces the Kansas City Chiefs and their 31st-ranked rushing defense in week 14.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten got back in the saddle in week 13 by catching nine balls for 115 yards and a touchdown. If he can stay even moderately healthy, he will be a lock for five to eight fantasy points per week in the fantasy playoffs. I was a little worried about him, but he is back to being a must-start.

On the tight end front, Broncos end Tony Scheffler has got to be starting in all fantasy leagues now that we have reached playoff time. He has had some injury problems this year and his performance has tended towards inconsistent, but upcoming matchups against KC and Buffalo and at Carolina and San Diego bode well for his status moving forward.

Buffalo Bills kicker Rian Lindell hung me out to dry after I made him my number pick for week 13. Floating on air after I accurately predicted his four field goals in week 12, my brief man-crush on him sunk my kicker predictions faster than a German U-boat. On the flip side, I made Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas my number two for week 13 and he paid off handsomely. Who know when kickers are involved?

Out of my five defense/special teams picks for week 13, four of them ended up in the top seven of fantasy units. I only went wrong with the New York Giants, who were solid but unspectacular against the hapless Washington Redskins offense. In terms of actual performance, the Indianapolis Colts surprised with an excellent performance against the Cleveland Browns. I cannot recommend them in the coming weeks, but it just goes to show how fantasy football is just one big crapshoot.