Upgrades *** Waiver Wire - QB Matt Hasselbeck (Sea) - Matt played a nearly flawless game this week at QB showing the potential that Holmgren sought when he went after him. He finished the day with 362 passing yards and 3 TDs against 0 interceptions. He also ran for another 23 yards. *** Waiver Wire - QB Kordell Stewart (Pit) - Although Tommy Maddox could be cleared to play this week, Kordell impressed with a great deal of pressure on him. Kordell was very efficient completing 22 of 26 attempts for 236 yards and a TD. He had no interceptions. He also ran for 40 yards on 11 attempts. Had he failed to perform in this game, he could have seen his status further demoted since Charlie Batch is also on this team. QB Daunte Culpepper (Min) - In the last two weeks, no quarterback has been hotter than Daunte Culpepper. During that span, Daunte has amassed 489 passing yards (4 TDs) and another 107 rushing yards (1 TD). Thought to be in danger of losing his job because of turnovers, he now is minimizing these errors and the results have been stellar. QB Rich Gannon (Oak) - There is no QB hotter than Rich Gannon. He threw for 340 yards and 3 TDs on Sunday and is averaging over 320 passing yards and 2 passing TDs per contest. With three dangerous weapons at WR and a very capable RB who can catch in Charlie Garner, Rich is playing his best football of his career. *** Waiver Wire - QB Chad Hutchinson (Dal) - He threw for 301 yards and 2 TDs this week. He could be somebody worth consideration in keeper leagues. RB Priest Holmes (KC) - How do you upgrade the best fantasy player this season? When he runs for 197 yards (2 TDs) and catches another 7 passes for 110 yards and a TD. Priest is in a world by himself. Consider the following: Priest Holmes has 10 more rushing TDs this season than the following players combined: Edgerrin James, Duce Staley, Michael Bennett and Michael Pittman. Priest already has 1,787 total yards and 20 TDs this year. RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) - Always in a state of flux, Shaun Alexander has enough explosive games that warrants this upgrade. He contributed 143 yards rushing on Sunday (and 2 TDs). Despite his inconsistent games, Shaun has amassed 13 TDs this season. It can be frustrating to play someone who is so inconsistent at times, but as Shaun showed this week, he is one play away from breaking off a huge run. RB Ricky Williams (Mia) - Against a stout rush defense in San Diego, Ricky Williams carried the Dolphins on his back in a critical win for his team. He finished the game with 143 rushing yards and 2 TDs. He added another 8 yards on 2 receptions. With the return of Jay Fiedler looming, Ricky should finish the year strong. *** Waiver Wire - RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) - Tyrone had not been a factor all year, but "broke out" this week with a fine game. He carried 13 times for 82 yards and a TD. Charlie Garner was also able to get his touches (16 runs, 5 catches) which makes Tyrone's effort all the more impressive. *** Waiver Wire - RB Marcell Shipp (Ari) - He inherits the job vacated when Thomas Jones broke his hand late last week. He looked good on Sunday compiling 135 yards on the ground (16 carries) and added another 20 yards with 2 catches. He also scored a TD. RB Tiki Barber (NYG) - Tiki went off on Sunday for 146 rushing yards and a TD. He added another 20 yards with 4 receptions. With the Giants receivers hurt, Tiki is getting his number called a lot lately. RB Clinton Portis (Den) - Over the last two weeks, Clinton Portis has been the third best fantasy running back. We don't think that's a fluke. He looks very good running and is getting a lot of looks. He had 88 yards on 18 carries Sunday in miserable conditions and scored twice. RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) - Curtis had a very productive day and looked like the dominant back of past seasons. He finished the day with 21 carries for 120 yards and a score. He also had a reception for 18 yards. He gets the upgrade because Lamont Jordan (his backup) had a terrible game 13 carries for 27 yards (but did score). Look for Martin to get a bigger percentage of the carries going forward. WR Koren Robinson (Sea) - When Darrell Jackson went down with an injury a few weeks ago, Koren Robinson knew he would draw all the double team coverages. But instead of watching his season go in the tank, he has responded with some great performances. Darrell Jackson returned this week and Koren ate up single coverage exploding for 168 yards and a TD on 8 receptions. WR Hines Ward (Pit) - Over the last two weeks, Hines Ward has been the best fantasy WR by a large margin. His numbers over those two games: 293 yards and 3 TDs. He also added 39 yards on a rush. Plaxico Burress may draw the double teams, but Hines Ward is putting up the numbers as the best WR in Pittsburgh. WR Jerry Porter (Oak) - He is WR option #3 on this high powered offense, but he still gets a lot of looks especially near the endzone. This week he had 5 catches for 67 yards and 2 TDs. Last week he did not even have a catch. But if teams continue to try and deny both Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, Jerry Porter will have some big games. *** Waiver Wire - WR Dennis Northcutt (Cle) - Because the Browns use 4 different receivers (and all are good), Dennis sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. But he is capable of making the big play as he demonstrated on Sunday. Over the last two weeks, Dennis is the 9th best WR. Definitely someone that could be worth spot play with favorable matchups. WR Chad Johnson (Cin) - He has emerged as the go-to receiver in Cincinnati. And since the Bengals are usually trailing, Chad is getting a lot of looks. He did not score on Sunday, but did manage 152 yards on 7 receptions. WR Marvin Harrison (Ind) - Wow. What can you say about a wide receiver who already has 100 catches after week 12? This guy is a machine. Over the last two weeks, he has managed 25 receptions alone. He is the best WR in football bar none. He seems to never have a bad game. *** Waiver Wire - TE Matt Schobel (Cin) - Some of you may not have known that the Bengals had a tight end. That's because in years past they would rarely use one. They still don't throw a lot to the TE, but Matt usually gets 3-4 passes a game. This week he made the most of those looks with 37 yards and a score. Somebody to consider in very deep leagues that require a TE. *** Waiver Wire - TE Billy Miller (Hou) - He has quietly amassed 111 yards (no TDs) over the last two games. That is more than any other TE other than Jeremy Shockey (who had a huge Week 11 game). PK Mike Vanderjagt (Ind) - When you kick a game tying 54 yard field goal to force overtime, you are good. When you win the game with a 51 yard field goal in overtime, you are great. When you do all of this while it's snowing, you are the MAN. And you get put on our upgrade list. Mike had been struggling some this year (compared to previous dominant seasons). He has the confidence of his coaches, team-mates and the fans after this superb performance on Sunday night. Downgrades QB Rodney Peete (Car) - His team looks terrible and so does he. He completed 6 of 11 passes for 64 yards and 2 INT on Sunday. He did not throw a TD. He is old and the team looks as if they won't make the playoffs. The Panthers will likely play Fasani and Weinke to determine where they are at for next year. Let me help them…..You need a QB. All the ones you have are terrible. QB Jeff Blake (Bal) - Against a team considered weak against the pass, Blake could only manage 109 yards on 24 attempts. The Titans clamped down on Blake and he was able to only complete 11 passes (12 if you count his one INT). He did not throw a TD. QB David Carr (Hou) - The fact that he is alive after consistently getting pressured and sacked is amazing. There is no denying this kid has heart and will likely be great. But with the patchwork line he has this year, he has little chance each week. He finished the day 10 for 23 for 103 yards. He did manage to scramble for 54 yards. But somehow he guided his team to victory and that says a lot about his character and long-term potential. QB Brett Favre (GB) - Two bad games in a row. We are not ready to stick a form in Brett Favre, but he is affected with the knee brace. Over the last two weeks, Brett has only 1 rush attempt for 17 yards. During this span, he ranks as the 18th best fantasy QB. RB Thomas Jones (Ari) - He fractured his hand late last week at his house and is lost for the remainder of the season. RB Lamar Smith (Car) - 8 carries for 16 yards. Enough said. Had Deshaun Foster not got hurt, Lamar Smith would have been on the pine long before now. Teams are stacking the box against Smith as well because they do not fear the non-existent passing attack. RB Lamont Jordan (NYJ) - He managed to get a TD, but only had 27 yards on 13 carries. This against the same Buffalo defense that Curtis Martin shredded for 120 yards. WR Antonio Bryant (Dal) - Over the last two weeks, Antonio he has managed just 4 receptions for 56 yards. Until he shows more consistency, he is not worth any consideration in your lineup. WR Reggie Wayne (Ind) - 4 catches and 16 yards over his last two weeks. While Marvin Harrison breaks all of the reception records, look for every other Indianapolis receiver to suffer. WR Peter Warrick (Cin) - He has only 4 catches (73) yards over the last two games. Kitna is favoring WR Chad Johnson and TE Matt Schobel. TE Daniel Graham (NE) - Christian Fauria and Cameron Cleeland have cut into the action and left Daniel Graham holding the clipboard. Daniel has just one catch for 17 yards in the last two games. TE Marcus Pollard (Ind) - Whereas Marvin Harrison caught 25 passes in the last two games, Marcus Pollard caught just 2. And just 14 yards total too. He is clearly an after-thought right now in the Colts' offense.