Welcome to Mad Murphy’s power rankings, where I rank the top 7 players at each position. The Lions and the Packers are the only undefeated teams remaining but the best game this weekend will be between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton has proved he will put up the points necessary to keep any game close. New Orleans should put up more than 40 points in this contest and Cam will be forced to create some drama. I’m expecting to see a lot of offensive fireworks and Brees to calmly lead a game winning drive in the end to seal it. Below you will find my picks this week for the top 7 fantasy performers at each skill position.
QB:
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (at ATL) – Rogers has been pretty much lights out all season and is coming off a career performance.
2. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (vs. NO) – Newton proved something to me last week on the road against the Bears. He’s a bona-fide fantasy star now and a must start regardless of matchup.
3. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (at DEN) – Rivers could have a break out game against Denver’s poor secondary and should put up huge numbers.
4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (at CAR) – Brees will shred Carolina’s defense in a shootout.
5. Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI) – You have to love the way he has been engineering comebacks this season.
6. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Hawks (vs. GB) – “Matty Ice” will put up huge yardage numbers at the very least.
7. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at SF) - Josh Freeman is too good to be stopped by the Niners. He should have his way on 3rd down all day long.
RB
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (vs AZ) – Peterson should have one of his better days this season against the Cardinals.
2. Ryan Matthews, San Diego Chargers (at DEN) – This guy has been a machine through 4 weeks and Denver won’t slow him down.
3. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (at Buffalo) – With Andy Reid calling plays, he is fantasy gold.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CIN) The Bengals have stout run defense, but MJD should find some holes.
5. Arian Foster, Houston Texans (vs. OAK) – He’s just warming up and should have big day.
6. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills (vs. PHI) – Should be another shootout, but Fitzgerald will be finding Jackson out of the backfield.
7. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders (at HOU) – The Raiders are the most consistent rushing team in the NFL and McFadden makes them go.
WR
1. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI) – He is the most uniquely talented player in the NFL, bar none.
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (at MIN) – Will get a ton of targets against the Vikings.
3. Wes Welker, New England Patriots (vs. NYJ) – Brady loves him; so you should too.
4. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers (vs. NO) – Smith gets open even against the top cover guys and Newton is definitely not afraid to throw it.
5. Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills (vs. PHI) – Can’t bet against him.
6. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants (vs. SEA) – Nicks should have Brandon Browner covering him — who gave up 11 catches for 127 yards to Julio Jones last week.
7. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons (vs. GB) – Roddy should bounce back this week, but I’m marking him lower because of how many targets Julio Jones is now commanding.
TE
1. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (vs. NYJ) – Guy is a monster as long as Brady is throwing it.
2. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers (at ATL) – Most talented pass catching TE in the NFL.
3. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (at CAR) – Brees finds Jimmy with consistency and the Saint’s offense is always clicking.
4. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons (vs. GB) – Tony is having a monster year, keep starting him.
5. Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI) – Stafford has been relying on Pettigrew recently to move the chains.
6. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans (vs. OAK) – Oakland will be keying on Arian Foster and should leave some room in the middle for Daniels to operate.
7. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (vs. NO) – Has scored two weeks in a row and Newton appears to be looking for him in the red zone.
Defense/Special Teams
1. Detroit Lions (vs. CHI) – They will make a league wide statement at Chicago this weekend.
2. San Diego Chargers (at DEN) – Denver is abysmal.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at SF) – Tampa’s defense has been very solid these last few games. They should be able to rattle Alex Smith.
4. New York Giants (vs. SEA) – The Giants are at home against an NFC West opponent.
5. Green Bay Packers (at ATL) – Should force at least 2 turnovers.
6. Houston Texans (vs. OAK) – Texans are gaining strength based on what I saw last week at Pittsburg.
7. Minnesota Vikings (vs. AZ) – Vikings defensive line is still good and they are at home (against an NFC West opponent).
