Each week Studs & Duds will take a look at the best and worst match-ups from around the NFL and choose four players that could mean the difference between fantasy success or failure.
Based on the scoring system established by Yahoo!'s Flames and Lames, Studs and Duds hit a speed bump in week 13. After going 3-5 in last week's picks, S&D's season record now stands at 53-51. Do you have some of your own Studs and Duds in mind? If so, put your picks and predictions (no explanation for picks necessary) in the comment section below and see if you can beat us at our own game.
Studs
Jason Campbell / QB / Washington Redskins - (vs. Raiders) Campbell hasn't been a viable fantasy option for most of the year, but that will all change this week. The Redskins are facing an Oakland team that's coming off a huge win against the Steelers, but that doesn't mean their defense is any better than the 29th overall rank they've earned so far in '09. Campbell had a solid game against New Orleans last week, and he'll carry his success into this week. He'll use his legs to get it done too, and you can expect him to tally multiple scores. If you're looking for a way to keep your team's championship hopes alive then Campbell is the way to go.
Prediction: 21-34, 256 passing yards, 3 total touchdowns, 1 interception, 24 rushing yards
Terrell Owens / WR / Buffalo Bills - (vs. Chiefs) T.O. couldn't continue his solid games streak in Week 13, but you can expect him to bounce back this week. He'll face a weak Kansas City pass D that has allowed 21 touchdowns and only picked off eight passes. The Chiefs don't really have anyone that has enough size to stick with Owens, so it's likely he should have his way with the K.C. secondary.
Prediction: 9 receptions, 86 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
Laurence Maroney / RB / New England Patriots - (vs. Panthers) Maroney's streak of six straight games with a touchdown ended last week against Miami. Week 14 will see him start a new streak though, as the Patriots close out the season against some rather weak run defenses. This week he'll face off against the Panthers who have the 26th ranked rush D, while sporting the sixth ranked pass D. That means Maroney will get plenty of carries as the Pats likely won't be able to get much done through the air.
Prediction: 21 carries, 98 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 14 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
Todd Heap / TE / Baltimore Ravens - (vs. Lions) The Lions once again have the worst ranked pass D, and that means good things for any Ravens players who can catch. Heap hasn't put up a studworthy game since the second week, so for all intensive purposes, he's due. There's nothing like a game against Detroit to get back on the right track. Heap is a physical TE, so he should be able to muscle his way into multiple catches and a score.
Prediction: 6 receptions, 51 yards, 1 touchdown
Duds
Brett Favre / QB / Minnesota Vikings - (vs. Bengals) Favre's MVP type season hit a speed bump last week against Arizona, and it's not likely he'll get things rolling again against Cincinnati. The Bengals have the fourth ranked overall defense and it's likely they'll keep the pressure on the Vikings and Favre for most of the day. Favre broke down at the end of last season, and although that's not likely to happen this year, he is going to struggle more than he has so far. The Bengals will show why they're a solid playoff team, and don't be surprised if they deal the Vikings their third loss of the year.
Prediction: 21-42, 243 passing yards, 2 touchdown, 3 interceptions, 2 rushing yards
Calvin Johnson / WR / Detroit Lions - (vs. Ravens) Johnson has caught a touchdown in his last three games, but will come up empty on Sunday. Detroit will have its hands full with the Ravens who are fighting for a playoff berth, and you can be sure that their annually strong defense will make sure they don't lose this one. They'll play this game very physical, and that will create plenty of problems for the Lions offense. Don't be surprised if Detroit totals somewhere below 200 total yards on the day. With Detroit likely to struggle, their star wide out won't have much of an opportunity to make his fantasy owners happy.
Prediction: 2 receptions, 39 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns
Brandon Jacobs / RB / New York Giants - (vs. Eagles) Jacobs finally had another productive fantasy day last week to the tune of 113 total yards and two scores. With the Giants facing the Eagles this week though, he will once again let his owners down. Philly has the seventh ranked rush D and they will surely plug any holes Jacobs will try to use. Jacobs isn't the same running back everyone is used to, and his fortune isn't going to change during this tough divisional game.
Prediction: 13 carries, 34 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns
Antonio Gates / TE / San Diego Chargers - (vs. Cowboys) Ever since S&D picked Gates to be a stud in week 12; he's strung together two monster games. With that said, he's due to hit the wall against Dallas in week 14. Although Dallas has the 20th ranked pass D, they usually don't allow too many scores. In fact, in terms of points per game against, they rank fifth. That means that even if Gates can pull in a few catches, he isn't likely to get a touchdown. Without a score it will be hard for him reach stud worthy status.
Prediction: 6 reception, 47 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns
