Week 13 was a week of returns for fantasy owners, and not returns from Devin Hester of the Bears or Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns.

These returns came from major contributors to fantasy wins coming back from injury and star players of fantasy seasons past who once took their owners to the promised land of playoff victories and fantasy league championships.

And with the playoffs looming large — some will start in week 14 — having these guys come back and make your team even stronger is really going to mean something down the “one-and-done” stretch.

It all started with the triumphant return of the NFL’s leading rusher, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. Even after missing the last two games with a knee injury, Peterson remained the leading rusher in the game and everyone had to think he would return gingerly at best.

No such luck for teams going against him. A lot of luck (and skill) for those owners who decided to start him. Peterson ran all over the Detroit Lions D, to the tune of 117 yards and two touchdowns. Had he not been splitting time with Chester Taylor, he would have added a third touch and another 20 or 30 yards easy. So, if you are waffling on Peterson for next week, you deserve to be out of the playoffs.

How about the of-late return of LaDainian Tomlinson (RB-San Diego Chargers). He had been pretty MIA since breaking the single-season rushing TD record last year, but has picked a heck of a time to break out.

Tomlinson scampered for 177 yards and two touchdowns in week 13, gaining a ton of fantasy points and the renewed respect of guys who drafted him with the No. 1 pick of the draft.

We also got the chance to see Colts QB Peyton Manning in a revival of his 2006 form. Manning threw four touchdowns for the first time since December of last year and led the Colts to victory. He also did all he could for a fantasy team who never gave up on the best QB in the league, no matter how available Derek Anderson was.

There was also some noise made by guys who are flying under the radar. Namely, Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Bucs wideout, and Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons WR. Galloway didn’t get a touch, but has six on the year. With a new QB throwing to him in week 13, he grabbed 159 yards on the day. Pretty good. Then there was Roddy White, who nabbed more than 100 and a touchdown with a quarterback who would barely be a No. 4 anywhere but Atlanta.

But that’s not what we are here for. Instead, it’s all about where I screwed up and where I steered you right. I made the mistake of telling you to start Denver QB Jay Culter against the Raiders. He threw two picks and only 214 yards. Ugly.

However, I suggested you roll with Cleveland RB Jamal Lewis and, while he wasn’t gangbusters, he did rush for more than 60 yards and caught a touchdown.

Last, if you listened, you took a chance on San Fran wideout Arnaz Battle. He caught 51 yards and even got in the end zone. Not bad, if you needed some flex points in a stretched league.

As for my non-starts, it started with Eli Manning of the New York Giants who was terrible in week 12. He wasn’t much better in a win in week 13, as he committed three turnovers and threw for one touchdown.

I told you to sit Rudi Johnson of the Bengals, but he got in the end zone on a fluke.

Finally, you should have sat Roy Williams of the Lions. He grabbed 85 yards, no touchdowns and an injury in the fourth quarter.

PUT THE CHECK BY THESE GUYS

• Jacksonville QB David Garrard (vs. CAR): He has only thrown one pick in 12 games and is getting a rhythm with his receivers.
• St. Louis RB Steven Jackson (vs. CIN): Jackson is going to play and Cincy can’t stop the run.
• Detroit WR Calvin Johnson (vs. DAL): With Roy Williams hurt, Johnson should get some more looks against the Dallas D.

SEND ‘EM DOWN

• Oakland QB Josh McCown (vs. GB): He might have looked good against Denver, but Green Bay will shut him down. And if JaMarcus Russell plays, it’s even worse.
• New York Jets RB Thomas Jones (vs. CLE): Don’t let his first rushing TD in week 13 fool you. He’s not going to do much against a better Browns D.
• San Diego TE Antonio Gates (vs. TEN): Going out on a limb here, but I think Tennessee will keep Gates out of the end zone.