Fantasy Footnotes: Peterson proving worthy of top pick; early waiver targets
Every gameday during the regular season, theScore's fantasy editors recap the most important news and notes from around the league.
On the day Adrian Peterson passed O.J. Simpson to enter the top 20 on the NFL's all-time rushing list, the Vikings tailback proved he's still the best running back in football - both the fantasy variety and real-life.
Peterson was selected with the first overall pick in many fantasy drafts this summer, and he's proven that was the right call in a year littered with first-round busts.
The arguments against taking Peterson first were obvious: he's 30 years old and he hadn't played football in a year. Running backs at his age tend to see their production fall off a cliff.
But Peterson is no typical running back.
After dropping 158 yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons, Peterson expanded his lead in the rushing race and drew within one score of Falcons tailback Devonta Freeman for the league lead in rushing scores.
With Freeman still sidelined with a concussion and breakout star Todd Gurley's shine fading (the rookie hasn't topped 100 yards rushing in four straight games), it's Peterson who has the best chance to put his fantasy owners on his back and drag them to a championship win.
Notable Fantasy Lines
Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
345 yards passing, 5 TDs, 14 yards rushing
That's a career-high in touchdown tosses for Wilson. He's catching fire at just the right time.
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
300 yards passing, 4 TDs
It's incredible what Rivers is doing with such a terrible offensive line in front of him.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
330 yards passing, 3 TDs
It will be interesting to see how high Carr is drafted next season. Is he a top-five fantasy passer?
Drew Brees, QB, Saints
228 yards, INT
Brees failed to throw a touchdown for the first time this season.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
158 yards rushing, 29 yards receiving, 2 TDs
He's still the best running back in fantasy football and real-life football, too.
Spencer Ware, RB, Chiefs
114 yards rushing, TD
Ware looks like a force and could cut into Charcandrick West's carries when the latter returns from injury.
Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons
110 yards rushing, FUM
Coleman, filling in as starter for Devonta Freeman, had a touchdown run called back on a penalty. He may have scored another if not for an embarrassing fumble.
Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins
2 yards rushing, 11 yards receiving
Is it possible to get yet another coaching change in Miami?
Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks
145 yards receiving, 3 TDs
If you're one of the very few owners who started Baldwin, congratulations.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills
158 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Watkins' boom-or-bust season was definitely in boom mode.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Jets
131 yards receiving, 2 TDs
The Dolphins had no answer for the Jets' passing game. Eric Decker scored a touchdown, too.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Giants
142 yards receiving, TD
Beckham's final stats aren't stunning, but go watch the touchdown he caught again. Unreal.
Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
56 yards receiving
Even with the Vikings' secondary decimated by injuries, Jones had a very quiet afternoon.
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
51 yards receiving
The Seahawks largely kept Brown in check, which led Ben Roethlisberger to look elsewhere.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
36 yards receiving
Fantasy owners expected much, much more against the NFL's worst defense.
Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
53 yards receiving, 2 TDs
He's getting healthy again, which means he could finish the season very strong.
Injury Ward
Jimmy Graham, TE, Seahawks
Graham was carted off with a cast on his leg after his knee bent awkwardly on a deep pass. The injury had the look of a season-ender.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals
Eifert left after suffering what the team described as a stinger and did not return. The NFL's touchdown leader told reporters after the game that he's OK.
Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals
Johnson took a shot to the knee and headed to the locker room. Backup Andre Ellington left soon after with a foot injury, leaving rookie David Johnson to carry the load.
Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars
Hurns was stretchered off the field after a scary play that saw him go limp as he hit the field. He was later diagnosed with a concussion.
Waiver Wire Targets
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Bills
If Taylor was dropped in your league after a few sub-par performances, scoop him up. Sammy Watkins alone could be enough to make Taylor a viable starter.
Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins
Lamar Miller rushed for two yards on Sunday. With their playoff hopes quickly dying, it's possible the Dolphins will turn their rushing attack over to the rookie Ajayi to see what he can do.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions
Don't forget about Abdullah just because he played on Thanksgiving. The rookie looked good and has earned a bigger share of the carries in the Lions' backfield.
Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers
Wheaton's unlikely to have another day as big as his 201-yard, one-touchdown outburst again this season. He's still a fringe FLEX option at best.
Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers
Funchess had a quiet Thanksgiving, but is growing into a significant role in the Panthers' offense.
Dontrelle Inman, WR, Chargers
Inman was targeted a season-high nine times in Week 12, turning them into 65 yards and a touchdown. With Philip Rivers playing as well as he is, Inman could continue to have WR3/FLEX value.
Rashad Greene, WR, Jaguars
Allen Hurns caught seven touchdowns opposite Allen Robinson, but is expected to miss time with a concussion. Greene will take over Hurns' role.