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It would be easy enough to drop Peyton Manning in as the number one quarterback this year and worry about slotting the rest after that, but that doesnt have to be automatic either. Yes, Manning is coming off a career-best season, one for the ages, but after three consecutive seasons with more than 5,000 yards passing, Drew Brees can make a reasonable claim for top spot too. No matter which one is on top -- and I have Brees -- they are a cut above the rest at the position. The way that passing has evolved in the NFL, there are now lots of quarterbacks who can throw for 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns -- there were eight last season -- but Manning and Brees were the only ones north of 5,000 yards and 35 touchdowns, so consider them Tier One. After that, Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers are accomplished passers. Over the past three seasons, Stafford ranks second (behind only Brees) with 14,655 passing yards and that gives him a slight edge on Rodgers, who ranks second in that time (again behind Brees) with 101 touchdown passes. Those are still elite options but, after that, the warts start to become a little more apparent, even among quality options. Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton are brilliant runners and while thats a potential fantasy goldmine for yardage and touchdowns, it also presents a risk of injury. Working in Kaepernicks favour is that he has an improved receiving corps, with a healthy Michael Crabtree and newcomers Stevie Johnson joining Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis, Kaepernick doesnt lack weapons. Newton, on the other hand, requires a leap of faith, because his supporting cast is suspect, at best. Tight end Greg Olsen is a good one, but Newtons No. 1 wideout appears to be Jerricho Cotchery, a 32-year-old who had a nice season (46 REC, 602 YDS, 10 TD) last year, as Pittsburghs number three receiver, but he has one 1,000-yard receiving season in his career and last year was the only time in Cotcherys career that hes had more than half a dozen touchdowns in a year. On the other side, the Panthers have rookie Kelvin Benjamin, a 6-foot-5, 240-pounder who had a big year (54 REC, 1011 YDS, 15 TD) at Florida State, but its asking a lot to expect the 28th pick in the draft to immediately make an impact. In any case, these are some challenges that Newton faces as he tries to match the production of his first three seasons. They arent the only accomplished running quarterbacks. Further down the draft list, Robert Griffin III -- who ought to benefit from the addition of wide receiver DeSean Jackson -- and Russell Wilson, maybe with a healthy Percy Harvin at his disposal, have appeal as well. After a breakout performance last season, during which he threw for 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 13 games (10 starts), Nick Foles has exciting potential, if not the longest track record in the league. Andrew Luck has the pedigree, as a first overall pick, and has thrown for more than 8,000 yards with 46 touchdowns in his first two seasons. Its tempting to go for that potential. For more established options, maybe look to Atlantas Matt Ryan, who is likely to bounce back with a healthy Julio Jones in the lineup and Tom Brady has to be considered. Even though his passing touchdowns declined last year, to 25 his lowest since 2006, Brady has thrown for more than 4,300 yards in four of the past five seasons and the Patriots offence is still focused on him. Beyond that top dozen, there are proven veterans, like Andy Dalton, Tony Romo, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger, all of whom have been able to put up big numbers, just not with the same kind of consistency. Romo has, in fact, been pretty consistent in his production but, coming off back surgery, hes perhaps a little riskier than in previous years. Among the younger quarterbacks looking for a breakthrough, maybe Ryan Tannehill, Geno Smith or E.J. Manuel are ready to move up, but they are still second-stringers, at best, for fantasy purposes. As for rookies Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Teddy Bridgewater, keep an eye on them and be prepared to work the waiver wire, but none of the three appear to be set for big production right off the start. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Fantasy Football Report powered by Coors Light. Keith Tkachuk Jersey . 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MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Jamie McGinn had two goals and an assist, and Colorado beat the Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Saturday.LOS ANGELES -- When the nets finally cooled down at Staples Center, the Houston Rockets had a choice. They could be excited about their highest-scoring game of the year, or dismayed at their worst defensive effort in more than five months. James Harden and the Rockets chose to draw motivation from both sources for their playoff push after a prolific night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Terrence Jones and Harden scored 33 points apiece, and the Rockets beat the Lakers 145-130 on Tuesday night for their third straight victory. Chandler Parsons scored 19 points for the Rockets, who used a 49-point third quarter to solidify their hold on fourth place in the Western Conference standings despite their second-worst defensive performance of the year. Still, Houston won the opener of a three-game road trip without injured Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley, scoring with stunning ease against the Lakers laughable defence. "We had it going," said Harden, who had 12 assists and hit three 3-pointers. "We still gave up too many points, more than we wanted to, but we still got it going. Tonight was a tough game, a weird game." Jones scored 23 points during a dominant first half, while Harden contributed 18 points during an overwhelming third quarter for the Rockets, who made 18 of their 24 shots and hit seven 3-pointers to go ahead 115-90. Jones, who limped off the court with cramps, and Harden both sat out the fourth quarter of the Rockets third win over the Lakers this season. Rookie Isaiah Canaan matched his career high with 15 points for Houston (52-25), which leads Portland by 2 1/2 games with a game in hand for fourth place in the West. "When you go up like that, its hard to stay locked in (defensively)," Parsons said. "But we can do a better job of that. Weve just got to keep going and lock up homecourt advantage and get ready for the playoffs." Steve Nash moved into third place on the NBAs career assists list for the miserable Lakers (25-53), who tied the franchise record for losses in a single season with their worst defensive performance of the year. Afterward, Nash said his season might be over after playing through another twinge of pain in his troublesome hamstrings. "I just wanted to hang on and get this over with," the two-time NBA MVP said. "All of this is beyond my aspirations and wildest dreams. To be in that company is phenomenal." After matching the 1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers 53 losses in a 72-game season, coach Mike DAntonis injury-riddled team will finish with the clubs most losses since moving to Los Angeles in 1960.dddddddddddd Nick Young scored 32 points and Jodie Meeks added 30 for the Lakers, who have lost five straight. Jordan Farmar had 15 points and eight assists in his return from a 10-game injury absence with a strained groin for the Lakers, who allowed 143 points by Minnesota 11 days ago. "We talk about schemes and different ways to play things, but it just seems like guys on other teams score too easily," Farmar said. "It just comes down to heart. It comes down to pride. Guys have to want it." Howard, nursing a sprained left ankle, didnt play in the Rockets second visit to the Lakers home court since he spurned the 16-time NBA champions as a free agent last summer for less money in Houston. The fans still booed and shouted "Coward!" at Howard, who came out to the Rockets bench late in the first quarter wearing bright pink pants. The home crowd gave a standing ovation to Nash when he passed Mark Jackson late in the first half with a long outlet pass to Meeks for his 10,335th career assist. The 40-year-old Nash, who is expected to return to the Lakers next season, trails only assists leader John Stockton (15,806) and Jason Kidd (12,091) in league history. Nash finished with three points and five assists in 13 minutes, sitting out the second half in just his 15th game of the season. The Lakers were down to just nine healthy players for their latest loss, playing without injured Pau Gasol, Chris Kaman, Xavier Henry and Kent Bazemore. Nash, Farmar and Young played through injury problems to suit up. Nash catalyzed a 22-8 run in the second quarter by the Lakers, who briefly took the lead before Houston went into halftime up 66-61. The Rockets made a 28-6 run in the opening minutes of the third quarter. NOTES: Late in the fourth quarter, the Lakers announced general manager Mitch Kupchak has agreed to a multiyear contract extension. The clubs longtime personnel boss had one year left on his contract. ... The Clippers scored 137 points against Houston in the fourth game of the season. ... Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. was at Staples Center to promote his rematch with Manny Pacquiao on Saturday in Las Vegas. Andy Garcia, Jason Biggs, Jenny Mollen and Robbie Keane watched at courtside. ' ' '