Another wild weekend has passed, with teams asserting themselves as official playoff contenders, while others are still fighting for their playoff lives (Giants, Cowboys, etc). The one thing we do know is that the Packers have solidified themselves as THE team in the NFC, having locked up the No. 1 seed with the win over the Bears on Sunday night. With that said, here are a few guys who should be on the waiver wire this week as we head into (sigh) the last week of the NFL's regular season.
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Flynn - GB: With Week 17's game against the Lions meaning nothing, the Packers could opt to either give Aaron Rodgers a series or bench him completely. That will give Flynn one last chance to prove that he could be a viable starter somewhere else as he heads to free agency in 2012. The Lions could make it a shootout, so pick Flynn up and hope the Pack bench Rodgers to get him ready for their playoff run.
Kyle Orton - KC: The Chiefs may have lost a chance at the playoffs, but Orton still had a decent outing after throwing for 300 yards and a touchdown. The 2 interceptions killed his value, somewhat, but the yardage made up for it. Getting a chance to face his old team the Broncos in Week 17, Orton could be a mid-tier QB2 if you play in a championship this week. He is definitely a strong flex option.
Joe Webb - MIN: With Christian Ponder exiting early with a concussion against the Redskins, Webb put up a so-so performance with 118 total yards from scrimmage, but his three touchdowns were huge. Webb isn't a QB1, but his scrambling ability, especially near the goal-line, makes him an attractive QB2/flex option against the Bears in Week 17 IF Ponder is out.
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RUNNING BACKS
Toby Gerhart - MIN: Adrian Peterson's torn ACL and MCL will not only keep him out for Week 17, but his status for the start of 2012 is very questionable right now since the injury happened so late in the season. With AP out early against the Redskins, Gerhart rushed 11 times for 109 yards. Not only will Gerhart start Week 17 against the Bears, but he will get a huge workload in the process. He may not be the talent Peterson is, but he should be a worthwhile flex to a low-end RB2.
Evan Royster - WAS: I was surprised Roy Helu (toe, ankle) was inactive Saturday after putting in some practice time last week. But not being able to get through pre-game warmups gave Royster the start against the Vikings. I doubt anyone actually used him, so they missed out on his 19 rushes for 132 yards and two catches for 15 yards. The matchup against the Eagles means nothing for either team, but Royster could get the nod again if Helu can't practice at all or is limited. If Royster puts up another big game, this could have an impact on Helu's dynasty value. We all know how Mike Shanahan works.
Ronnie Brown - PHI: Andy Reid says McCoy "tweaked" his ankle against the Cowboys, so there is a chance he may not play in a meaningless game against the Redskins. Brown carried the ball 8 times for 33 yards and could get the start if the Eagles decide to sit McCoy so he doesn't aggravate the injury even more. Personally, I like Dion Lewis' upside and he is the No. 2 on the depth chart, but the Eagles could decide to go with the veteran over the rookie. Lewis didn't have a carry against the Cowboys.
Brandon Saine - GB: I don't know what the Packers plan on doing with their running backs this week. James Starks should get the start, but Saine could be worth an addition in larger leagues. The team may want to see what he has with Ryan Grant entering free agency.
Khalil Bell - CHI: With Marion Barber (calf) out against the Packers Sunday night, Bell outperformed what I thought he could do after garnering 159 total yards in the loss. Bell could see a big workload again in Week 17 against the Vikings.
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Wide Receivers
Randall Cobb - GB: Like Matt Flynn, Cobb could get the start with the Packers locked into home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. In the last two games, Cobb has racked up 6 catches for 75 yards. If he gets the start, he could easily see that total in Week 17 alone. He's a worthy WR3 and has more value in return leagues.
Denarius Moore - OAK: Moore had a big game against the Chiefs, catching 4 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. In his first game against the Chargers, Moore had the best game of his rookie season, reeling in 5 catches for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. He could be in for a big game in the team's second meeting with San Diego in Week 17. With the Raiders still fighting for the AFC West crown, the Raiders have plenty to play for.
James Jones - GB: Jones had a big game against the Bears, catching 5 passes for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jones always had talent, but he is inconsistent and has the case of the drops at the worst times. Jordy Nelson could sit against the Lions, giving Jones that much more fantasy value as a WR3. I know many are wondering why I'm not listing Donald Driver, but I have much more confidence in Jones and Cobb than I do in the over-the-hill veteran.
Brandon LaFell - CAR: LaFell caught 3 passes for a season-high 103 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against the Buccaneers. With the news that he will start over an injured Legedu Naanee (foot) against the Saints, LaFell could be a WR3 to look at on New Year's weekend.
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Tight Ends
Jared Cook - TEN: It may have taken 15 weeks, but Cook finally topped 100 receiving yards in two-straight weeks. After putting up 9 catches for 103 yards in Week 15, Cook followed that up with 8 catches for 169 yards and a score against the Jaguars Saturday. Cook could be worth a look in two tight-end leagues for the Week 17 game against the Texans. It's obvious the Titans want him to be a bigger part of the offense.