It's championship week in fantasy.

If you have made it this far, you likely need a waiver-wire acquisition as much as Brandon Weeden needs another two-interception game.

If you play in a 16-team league and are hoping to find a flex starter -- which is one of the few scenarios I can imagine in which a league finalist would be searching for a starter at this point in the season -- there could be an intriguing choice at running back in Week 16.

It's a risky move -- Curtis Brinkley, anyone? -- but running back has been such a crapshoot this season (see Brown, Bryce; Mathews, Ryan and countless other examples) that nothing would surprise me.

Mathews' season ended the way it started -- with a broken clavicle -- which will sideline the Chargers running back and one of the season's biggest busts for the final two games.

Enter Brinkley, who had six carries for 42 yards and caught three passes for 14 yards last week.

Don't get too excited. Brinkley has averaged 3.2 yards per carry and has 214 yards rushing in his three-year career.

The matchup, however, is favorable -- at the Jets -- as is the fact Ronnie Brown (hamstring) is also injured.

If Brown returns this week, he is the best play among San Diego's running backs, but the guess here is he won't be a factor because of his injury.

Jackie Battle, who has four TDs this season and would have seemed to be the choice to replace Mathews, had only three carries for 2 yards last week.

Norv Turner appears to favor Brinkley. Or maybe the soon-to-be-fired coach was confused and thought Battle was in the game the entire time.

Regardless, Brinkley is our top-ranked running back this week, thanks in part to the Jets ranking 29th against the run. New York is allowing 138.7 rushing yards per contest, 4.5 yards per carry and has given up the fifth-most TDs on the ground (15).

Again, Brinkley is no more than a desperation flex play in a deep league. If that describes your team, I'd go with him unless Brown is said to be healthy heading into Sunday's game.

On to our rankings for the week.

As always, we rank players who are available in more than half of the leagues on ESPN.com, and we usually aim for 40 percent ownership or lower.

QUARTERBACKS
1. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (owned in 27.3 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Sam Bradford, Rams (38.2)
3. Kirk Cousins, Redskins (2.2)
4. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (9.5)
5. Nick Foles, Eagles (4.9)
Dropped out: Brandon Weeden, Browns
Just missed the cut: Jake Locker, Titans (7.4 percent); Chad Henne, Jaguars (5.8)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Curtis Brinkley, Chargers (0.3 percent)
2. Montell Owens, Jaguars (11.0)
3. Jackie Battle, Chargers (12.8)
4. Joique Bell, Lions (33.8)
5. Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons (25.8)
Dropped out: David Wilson, Giants (now owned in 74.5 percent of the ESPN leagues, which is too obvious); Marcel Reece, Raiders; Alex Green, Packers
Just missed the cut: Danny Woodhead, Patriots (28.2 percent); Green (29.5); Bilal Powell, Jets (7.2); Mike Goodson, Raiders (2.7)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Brandon Gibson, Rams (13.2 percent)
2. Leonard Hankerson, Redskins (38.9)
3. Rod Streater, Raiders (2.0)
4. Golden Tate, Seahawks (17.8)
5. Santana Moss, Redskins (38.2) 
Dropped out: Danario Alexander, Chargers (now owned in 53.3 percent of the ESPN leagues); Josh Gordon, Browns (46.2 percent, also too obvious); Jason Avant, Eagles; Kendall Wright, Titans
Just missed the cut: Greg Little, Browns (14.0 percent); Avant (1.3)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (29.8)
2. Brandon Myers, Raiders (32.3)
3. Dallas Clark, Buccaneers (25.3)
4. Dwayne Allen, Colts (2.2)
5. Anthony Fasano, Dolphins (2.5)
Dropped out: Joel Dreessen, Broncos; Clay Harbor, Eagles
Just missed the cut: None

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15

Browns rookie receiver Josh Gordon is averaging 17.4 yards per catch.

In his last two games, he has 14 receptions for 202 yards and one touchdown.

He has five TDs in his last nine contests.

In the latter span, he has 35 catches for 639 yards and five TDs -- a 16-game pace of 62 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine scores.

All of which isn't to hammer home the point Tom Heckert shouldn't lose his job to Mike Lombardi (of course he shouldn't), but to say Josh Gordon is a fantasy starter.

Yes, your Cleveland Browns have a fantasy starter other than Trent Richardson and Phil Dawson.

On draft day, you would be elated if I told you your No. 3 fantasy receiver would finish the season with more than 60 catches, more than 1,100 yards and end the campaign with nine TDs.

That's how productive Gordon has been since Week 5, which makes it puzzling he is available in more than 62 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com.

If you play in a league in Northeast Ohio, there is very little chance Gordon is available on the waiver wire.

If you were fortunate enough to claim him in past weeks, play him as your third receiver.

If you're reading this in Pennsylvania, New York or somewhere else -- I hear this blog is huge in Australia -- put in a claim on Gordon today.

On to our rankings for the week.

As always, we rank players who are available in more than half of the ESPN leagues, and we usually aim for 40 percent ownership or lower.

Note: We analyzed the value of Giants running back and most-coveted pickup of the week David Wilson on Monday.

QUARTERBACKS
1. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (owned in 22.0 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Nick Foles, Eagles (3.9)
3. Chad Henne, Jaguars (7.0)
4. Brandon Weeden, Browns (8.1)
5. Sam Bradford, Rams (38.6)
Dropped out: None
Just missed the cut: Jake Locker, Titans (7.6 percent)

RUNNING BACKS
1. David Wilson, Giants (41.1 percent)
2. Montell Owens, Jaguars (8.8)
3. Alex Green, Packers (31.9)
4. Marcel Reece, Raiders (38.6)
5. Joique Bell, Lions (10.2)
Dropped out: James Starks, Packers; Jacquizz Rogers, Falcons
Just missed the cut: Rogers (28.4); Bilal Powell, Jets (3.1)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Danario Alexander, Chargers (27.2 percent)
2. Josh Gordon, Browns (37.9)
3. Jason Avant, Eagles (0.5)
4. Golden Tate, Seahawks (17.0)
5. Kendall Wright, Titans (14.8) 
Dropped out: T.Y. Hilton, Colts (now owned in 56.7 percent of the ESPN leagues); Chris Givens, Rams
Just missed the cut: Givens (17.3); Davone Bess, Dolphins (16.9); Santana Moss, Redskins (37.5); Donnie Avery, Colts (16.3); Brandon Gibson, Rams (12.3)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Brandon Myers, Raiders (35.1 percent)
2. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (29.5)
3. Joel Dreessen, Broncos (7.2)
4. Clay Harbor, Eagles (0.1)
5. Dallas Clark, Buccaneers (5.3)
Dropped out: Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars; Benjamin Watson, Browns; Tony Moeaki, Chiefs
Just missed the cut: Lewis (20.5); Watson (4.2)

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14

Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck get the accolades, and deservedly so, for their phenomenal, somewhat unprecedented rookie seasons.

Often lost in the discussion is Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson, whose 95 rating is better than Luck's 76. Wilson also has thrown for more touchdowns than Luck (19 to 17) and has been picked off eight fewer times (eight, to Luck's 16).

I'm not saying Wilson is better than Luck, who is on pace to throw for 4,795 yards and has added five TDs on the ground.

I'm saying Wilson should be owned in far more than 17.8 percent of the ESPN leagues, and he is a decent starting option in deeper leagues.

If you've made your league's postseason, which likely begins this week, you probably don't need a QB.

If you do and Wilson is available, here are two numbers to consider: nine and zero, as in the number of touchdown passes and interceptions for the Seattle QB in his last four games.

In his last five contests, Wilson has thrown for 1,114 yards, 11 TDs and one interception.

This week, the Seahawks will play the Cardinals, who rank third against the pass and have more interceptions (18) than TD passes allowed (16). On paper, or your iPhone, the matchup might not look great, but I wouldn't worry about Wilson suddenly turning into Seneca Wallace.

In Week 15, Seattle will play at Buffalo, which is No. 13 vs. the pass but has given up 21 TD tosses, compared to 10 picks.

There are two more rookies in our top five at QB this week -- the Browns' Brandon Weeden and the Eagles' Nick Foles -- but Wilson is clearly the best option.

On to our rankings for the week.

As always, we rank players who are available in more than half of the ESPN leagues, and we usually aim for 40 percent ownership or lower.

QUARTERBACKS
1. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (owned in 17.5 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Chad Henne, Jaguars (8.5)
3. Brandon Weeden, Browns (7.5)
4. Sam Bradford, Rams (38.8)
5. Nick Foles, Eagles (3.5)
Dropped out: Colin Kaepernick, 49ers (owned in 45.7 percent of the ESPN leagues, which makes him too obvious of a choice for this list); Christian Ponder, Vikings
Just missed the cut: Jake Locker, Titans; Ponder; Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

RUNNING BACKS
1.James Starks, Packers (7.0 percent)
2. Montell Owens, Jaguars (0.0)
3. Joique Bell, Lions (9.5)
4. Jacquizz Rogers, Falcons (32.9)
5. Alex Green, Packers (23.9)
Dropped out: Bryce Brown, Eagles (68.8 percent, which is too obvious); Knowshon Moreno, Broncos (48.8 percent, see Jennings); Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers (41.2, see Brown and Moreno); Rashad Jennings, Jaguars
Just missed the cut: Bilal Powell, Jets (1.8); Justin Forsett, Texans (0.8)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. T.Y. Hilton, Colts (33.6 percent)
2. Danario Alexander, Chargers (26.8)
3. Josh Gordon, Browns (25.6)
4. Golden Tate, Seahawks (10.0)
5. Chris Givens, Rams (3.1) 
Dropped out: Jeremy Kerley, Jets; Andre Roberts, Cardinals; Davone Bess, Dolphins
Just missed the cut: Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers (3.7 percent); Kendall Wright, Titans (13.4); Bess (19.8); Brandon LaFell, Panthers (18.0); Donnie Avery, Colts (8.4); Kerley (37.1)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Brandon Myers, Raiders (22.1 percent)
2. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars (18.7)
3. Benjamin Watson, Browns (5.6)
4. Dallas Clark, Buccaneers (5.2)
5. Tony Moeaki, Chiefs (0.7)
Dropped out: Dustin Keller, Jets; Dennis Pitta, Ravens; Dwayne Allen, Colts
Just missed the cut: Coby Fleener, Colts (12.2 percent); Pitta (30.4); Allen (2.8)

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13

Maybe you're like me and you get excited when fall Tuesdays roll around.

Your league's standings are updated.

You set your lineup for the coming week.

Better yet, it's time to browse the waiver wire and look for help.

This week, the latter is about as exciting as any contrived debate involving Skip Bayless.

Most of the quality options have been picked up, and there aren't many recent, significant injuries aside from the quarterbacks. (If Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder injury has you interested in Byron Leftwich, you are a much more optimistic person than me. In fact, you might be a little crazy.)

Thus, before we get to our picks for the week, we'd like to remind you that Beanie Wells returned to practice for the Cardinals last week.

He isn't included in the rankings below because he is owned in 47.9 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com (we prefer to go lower than that), but Wells remains a somewhat-sneaky acquisition in some formats.

He is on the injured reserve/designated to return list because of a toe injury, but he is expected to be back next week.

Yes, he's an injury waiting to happen (a total of 30 games played the last three seasons), but he was productive at times in 2011 (1,047 yards rushing, 4.3 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns), and he should assume the featured role in Arizona's LaRod Stephens-Howling-led backfield upon his return.

Aside from Raiders point-per-reception machine Marcel Reese, there isn't a better option among the running backs in the rankings that follow.

Have I mentioned the rankings include Tim Tebow? Let's say the QB options are a little scarce. (Jason Campbell, anyone?)

QUARTERBACKS
1. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (owned in 17.2 percent of the ESPN leagues)
2. Nick Foles, Eagles (0.5)
3. Christian Ponder, Vikings (25.6)
4. Sam Bradford, Rams (39.5)
5. Tim Tebow, Jets (10.2)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Marcel Reece, Raiders (12.3 percent)
2. James Starks, Packers (5.7)
3. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals (24.4)
4. Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers (31.3)
5. Joique Bell, Lions (10.5)
Just missed the cut: Chris Ivory, Saints (2.5 percent); Danny Woodhead, Patriots (27); Daryl Richardson, Rams (9.5); Jacquizz Rogers, Falcons (11.4)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Cecil Shorts, Jaguars (15.7 percent)
2. Donald Jones, Bills (1.7)
3. Golden Tate, Seahawks (6.9)
4. Donnie Avery, Colts (11.1)
5. Kendall Wright, Titans (16.9)
Just missed the cut: Danario Alexander, Chargers (0.1 percent); Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers (6.3); Davone Bess, Dolphins (20.3); Josh Gordon, Browns (34.1); Andrew Hawkins, Bengals (13.5); Laurent Robinson, Jaguars (26.4); Brandon Stokley, Broncos (11.8)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Brandon Myers, Raiders (17.8 percent)
2. Dwayne Allen, Colts (2.5)
3. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (30.3)
4. Dustin Keller, Jets (32.9)
5. Joel Dreessen, Broncos (8.2)

Past waiver-wire picks: Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 10