This year fantasy owners should be thankful for the multiple servings of monster fantasy performances that proved a great compliment to the turkey and mashed potatoes on Thursday. Chris Johnson, LenDale White, Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Donovan McNabb, and Brian Westbrook all handed in ridiculous stat lines on their holiday at the office.

A Baltimore blowout, a Green Bay-Carolina game that went down to the wire, and three one-sided weekday affairs made Week 13 an interesting chapter in the NFL’s saga of 2008.

Big Bertha’s back with the great and the gross of Week 13 NFL action.  

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
B-West was evidently fed up with everyone putting a fork in him and the Birds. On Thanksgiving day he ran for 110 yards and two scores. He added three catches for 20 yards and two receiving touchdowns. If McNabb can continue to hold onto the football and head coach Andy Reid continues to give Westbrook some touches he might be able to produce just in time for a playoff run. 

Runners-Up

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
Williams ran for four scores against the Packers on Sunday. This performance further solidified his status as Carolina’s number one back. He’s been scoring touchdowns left and right and has the quickness necessary to break away from the line of scrimmage for huge plays. He should continue to plead his case for Sleeper of the Year with some big stat lines down the stretch.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Showed he doesn’t suck all the time with a four score performance on Turkey Day. His 260-yard game on Thursday likely won’t be replicated as he heads into the Meadowlands to face the Giants on Sunday. Also, he didn’t turn the ball over on Thanksgiving; something he’s sure to do this week and after. Still though, nice showing in Week 13 but not quite good enough to edge out teammate Brian Westbrook.

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Romo showed he’s close to 100 percent with a huge showing on Thanksgiving. Problem is, those numbers are inflated because the Boys played Seattle at home. But 331 yards and three touchdowns combined with the re-emergence of tight end Jason Witten could mean big things for Romo owners through the ‘08 finale.

MOST SURPRISING PERFORMANCE

Mark Clayton, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Hell of a one-handed catch. Five catches for 164 yards and a receiving touchdown coupled with some help for rookie QB Joe Flacco in the form of a 32-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason landed Clayton in prime position to take home Week 13’s Most Surprising Player Award.

Runners-Up

Cleveland Browns D/ST
The Browns held Peyton Manning to 125 yards passing. They also picked him off twice. Considering that Manning is the face of the NFL and the Browns are the NFL’s 26th ranked defense, this was startling.

LenDale White, RB, Tennessee Titans
Heading into Week 13 White had been complaining about playing time. His complaints may have been valid considering in Week 11 and 12 White combined for 15 carries for 51 yards. He’s been a staple of the Titans redzone offense all year and broke out of a funk as soon as he got his touches. Granted it did come against a Lions team that, in all honesty, will go down in history as the worst team ever. But, 23 carries for 106 yards and two scores is a good day at the office regardless of the opponent.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Berrian went for 122 yards including a 99-yard touchdown catch. A huge catch that swung the momentum in favor of Minnesota and helped the Vikings come back and beat the Bears. A much needed big game as the Vikings and Berrian owners are vying for playoff spots.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE

Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Only 125 yards. Zero touchdowns. Two picks. Piss poor day. Manning needs to get it together so his owners can sneak into the playoffs despite wasting a first round pick on Manning in ’08.

Runners-Up

Brett Favre, QB, New York Jets
Favre’s Jets were the team to beat heading into a Week 13 matchup with Denver. Favre had thrown 20 TD passes through the first 12 weeks but couldn’t toss one for a score against the NFL’s 27th-ranked pass defense. Favre’s numbers have been relatively consistent in ‘08 but a big dud in Week 13 may have fantasy owners taking his name in veign as they’re left out in the cold during playoff time.

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers
Took 12 carries for only 39 yards as second-on-the-depth-chart Brandon Jackson showed him up against the Panthers on Sunday. Grant has no-showed quite a bit this season and has thrown his hat into the “biggest bust of ‘08″ ring as well.

Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins
Portis came into Week 13 still a little banged up and was facing a tough Giants defense. Never-the-less, 22 yards and no score isn’t going to keep fantasy owners happy. Especially since games like this and a few absences due to injuries have cooled Portis MVP talks.

CUTTABLE PLAYER

Plaxico “Cheddar Bob” Burress, WR, New York Giants
After accidentally shooting himself in the leg Friday night, Burress forced everyone in America to compare him to the character from 8 Mile. Regardless of the injury and its effect on the wideout, Burress is facing weapons charges because he didn’t have a concealed weapons permit. He’s looking at some jail time so his NFL future is up in the air. The event seems to be a fitting end to a 2008 that was littered with off-the-field problems for the former pro-bowler. Another candidate for Bust of the Year.

WAIVER WIRE SPECIAL

Leon Washington, RB, New York Jets
He only ran for four yards in Week 13, but he caught three passes for 60 yards. He’s scored half of his six TDs in the past three weeks and the Jets have San Francisco, Buffalo, and Seattle left on the schedule this fantasy season. He’s a good option for a flex position especially if you’re in need of a replacement because one of your receivers shot himself over the weekend.

DREAM LINEUP
QB - Donovan McNabb, PHI
RB - DeAngelo Williams, CAR
RB - Brian Westbrook, PHI
WR - Mark Clayton, BAL
WR - Anquan Boldin, ARI
TE - Jason Witten, DAL
K - Rod Bironas, TEN
D/ST - Tennessee Titans

NIGHTMARE SQUAD
QB - Peyton Manning, IND
RB - Ryan Grant, GB
RB - Clinton Portis, WAS
WR - Dwayne Bowe, KC
WR - Laveranues Coles, NYJ
TE - Antonio Gates, SD
K - Shaun Suisham, WAS
D/ST - Arizona Cardinals

HIGHLIGHT REEL (Best Play)

Week 13 proved to be crucial for many teams in the NFL. Same can be said for many fantasy teams. A few guys showed up in big ways to make some things happen over the weekend.

The “GAME-CHANGER” Award

Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings found themselves down 7-0 and the Bears were on the doorstep. A controversial decision to go for it on fourth-and-goal left Allen and the Vikings defense out there to make a big stop. Allen came up huge by dragging Matt Forte down from behind forcing a turnover-on-downs. The next play was an exclamation point in the form of a Bernard Berrian 99-yard touchdown catch. The Vikings ran away with it from there.

The “COUGH IT UP” Award

James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
For the second straight week Harrison is taking home hardware in the form of the “COUGH IT UP” Award. On Sunday Harrison forced two Matt Cassel fumbles as the Steelers worked over the Pats.