1. Chris Johnson
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Ray Rice
4. Maurice Jones-Drew
5. Thomas Jones
6. Cedric Benson
7. Jamaal Charles
8. Knowshon Moreno
9. Joseph Addai
10. Ricky Williams
11. DeAngelo Williams
12. Frank Gore
13. Steven Jackson
14. Beanie Wells
15. Laurence Maroney
16. Rashard Mendenhall
17. Chris Jennings
18. LaDanian Tomlinson
19. Pierre Thomas
20. Fred Jackson
21. Ryan Grant
22. Reggie Bush
23. Ahmad Bradshaw
24. Quinton Ganther
25. Tim Hightower
26. Marion Barber
27. Cadillac Williams
28. Brandon Jacobs
29. Michael Turner
30. Maurice Morris
31. Matt Forte
32. Justin Forsett
33. LeSean McCoy
34. Jason Snelling
35. Ryan Moats
36. Julius Jones
37. Justin Fargas
38. Jerome Harrison
39. Sammy Morris
40. Correll Buckhalter
41. Donald Brown
42. Kevin Faulk
43. Darren McFadden
44. Marshawn Lynch
45. Larry Johnson
46. Shonn Greene
47. Felix Jones
48. Darren Sproles
49. Jerious Norwood
50. Chester Taylor

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Love

Pierre Garcon (IND) – Great match-up and Wayne will be taking it easy.  Even if he plays every snap they wont really be sending Wayne over the middle, but it will just be safe routes that can’t bang him up any further.

Mike Sims-Walker (JAC) - His team is going to be in a shoot out, and he’s been great in home games this season.

Miles Austin (DAL) – Despite losing twice the Cowboys have still had big plays and moderate success on offense.  The Defense is letting them down which only means the passing game will be relevant the whole time.  Austin is a good start this week as well.

Marques Colston (NO) - He’s out of his slump and finding the end-zone.  And on that offense he’s a threat on every play.

Derrick Mason (BAL) – The Bears secondary has been weak and if you think Mason isn’t tough you need to check out his TD grab on Sunday…

Anquan Boldin (ARI) – If Fitz doesn’t see any decrease in play time he will do better than Boldin, but that wont matter much because the Cards are mad and have two soft opponents to beat up on for your playoffs.

Andre Johnson (HOU) – Overshadowed by Marshall’s day Sunday, but I expect Johnson to have a better two game span than Marshall with a good match-up Sunday.

Chris Johnson (TEN) - If VY is banged up these guys still have a chance.  Young changed the attitude in Tennessee since he took over and should he miss time or be limited they will lean on CJ and that is great for you.

Jamaal Charles (KC) – Even when the Chiefs can’t put points on the board or throw the ball really at all, Charles still finds a way to preform quite well in Fantasy terms.

Thomas Jones (NYJ) - Even if Ryan comes back I think Turner doesn’t and the Jets control this game.  Jones has quietly been a top back this year and has a nice match-up for the week I face him in the league I commish!

DeSean Jackson (PHI) - Your definitely going to want to be starting Jackson when he sets the NFL record for most number of 50+ yard TD plays.  Two last week and the 9ers don’t have that good of a secondary.  (they beat the Cards with pressure not coverage.

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) - There likely wont even be anyone for him to split carries with against a great match-up.  This is the match-up you’ve been looking forward to so play him!

Antonio Bryant (TB) – My sleeper pick of the week is Bryant, he is an amazing talent on a team that cannot utilize him well.  Freeman has shown flashes of brilliance this year, and while the last two match-ups were nightmares, Seattle’s pass defense is no one’s nightmare.

Adrian Peterson (MIN) -You gotta love that against a statistically very good rushing D last week.  Favre wont be the focal point of this offense unless they need him to be.  The Carolina secondary is the strength of the defense so why not hand the ball off to Peterson all day?

Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG) - Sleeper pick for sure but Jacobs is a bum so do not be afraid to play Bradshaw in the flex if you need him.

Hate

Roddy White (ATL) - Revis island… its like a Bye week when your starting QB is playing…

Ryan Grant (GB) – Against the Steelers there is no RB that I love.  Despite their troubles defending the run is what they do.

Matt Forte (CHI) - You hate him too… and versus the Ravens?! Sit him!

Jason Snelling (ATL) – That Jets defense will confuse the array of back-ups the Falcons will likely be playing with.

LeSean McCoy (PHI) -If you own him you hate him by now and do not need my urging to sit him down!

Jonathan Stewart (CAR) – Expectations even need to be lowered for Williams, but you’re gonna have to start him.  Minnesota’s Defense is even more tough and confident with Winfield back!

Eli Manning and Steve Smith (NYG) – All the Skins do is defend the pass and they are used to playing Eli and Smith.

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Well, what a week for Fantasy Playoffs to begin!  Lots of Studs this week so lets get right to it! Oh yea, there are plenty of Duds too! =P

Studs

Eli Manning (NYG) - Top Fantasy QB honors in a loss Sunday against the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.  He looked very good with three TD passes and just shy of 400 yards.  He did lose two fumbles, but that is largely a protection issue and with those stats it’s easy to forgive.

Chris Johnson (TEN) – Ok, we expected it, but not quite this big, huge week from CJ this Sunday.  Likely was enough to push you through this round of the playoffs.

Adrian Peterson (MIN) – A lot of readers asked about potentially benching Peterson this week and I did everything in my power to convince you not to do this.  Peterson is set to go off any week regardless of match-up, let alone the fact that despite the impressive numbers the Bengals had defending the run, they really hadn’t faced too many elite backs this season.

Ryan Grant (GB) – Wow! No one saw this big of a game coming from Grant as he totaled 137 yards and two scores.  Grant remains a great RB2 down the stretch, but Rodgers wont see that little production again, which is bound to hurt Grant’s chances of finding the end-zone twice.

Frank Gore (SF) – Despite the offense having become more of a passing oriented attack over the past few weeks, when the 9ers dominated the Cardinals on Monday night they did it on the shoulders of Frank Gore.  It looked like this round one pick was going to cost his owners dearly in the playoffs as he was utilized less and facing a team that destroyed the Minnesota Vikings and Adrian Peterson just last week.  However with San Francisco apparently rededicated to the run, Gore managed 167 yards and a TD.  Keep trusting him, because this offense is learning balance quickly.

Jamaal Charles (KC) – His team had trouble scoring, but not because of him.  Charles broke off a 70+ yard TD run Sunday for the Chiefs only time in the end-zone.  Despite the failures of his team Charles will still help you in the playoffs if the match-up is good.

Quinton Ganther (WAS) – OK, so if you were in a bind this week and you went with Ganther you were rewarded.  His match-up was great, and he got the job done.  However you can’t expect him to be able to score like that on other teams, so do you really want a RB that can only manage 50 yards against Oakland and in a GREAT week for him only sees 3 targets in the passing game?  I wouldn’t and neither should you.  Also if you wanted to start Ganther over a struggling star then it likely came back to bite you anyways, many people asked about him over the likes of Gore and Grant (and a few too many even thought he was a better play than Peterson).

Reggie Bush (NO) – Bush finally made a statement that he is healthy again this week with his 19 point fantasy day Sunday.  He will remain a great flex play through the playoffs, as he is the 4th receiving option in that offense.  For those keeping track Meachem is 5th so yes, he is a better play than Meachem in the flex.

Brandon Marshall (DEN) – Making a strong statement for being a top 3 fantasy football receiver next season with a record breaking performance on Sunday.  Marshall was targeted 28 times and hauled in 21 of them for 200 yards and two scores.  Enough said.

Andre Johnson (HOU) – This performance will take a back seat to Marshall’s but lets be honest this was a ridiculous game as well. 11 catches 193 yards and two scores as well.

DeSean Jackson (PHI) – Jackson has tied an NFL record for most 50+ yard TD plays in a season.  This is one heck of an explosive receiver that was a bargain deal where he was drafted in every league.  Oh, and he is going to remain dynamic the rest of the season.

Derrick Mason (BAL) - You see that play? He has my attention and respect now however, he won’t be upgraded too much as he is limited by the shaky play of Joe Flacco, but he will remain a very good flex or WR3 play.

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) – Nicks wont be a regular in your starting lineup during the playoffs but he had a huge game and might make a flex appearance and definitely in deep formats.

Dallas Clark (IND) – Not much for yardage this week, but three TD grabs is almost unheard of for a TE that isn’t Vernon Davis.

Fred Davis (WAS) – He’s available in too many leagues, Miller just got a concussion (his 2nd this season).

49ers (D/ST) – I still can’t believe they shut down that offense last night.  Warner got ONE point.

Duds

Randy Moss (NE) – negative points (-1) from a guy you start every week regardless of match-up is a tough beat in the playoffs.  If your still in it then your still starting Moss.

Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) – It was the Browns.  Be concerned if your still in the playoffs.

Mike Sims-Walker (JAC) – Hopefully you didn’t play him due to his injury, but I would have played him and would have been burned.

Greg Olsen (CHI) – Two weeks in a row, is Fred Davis available?

Mario Manningham (NYG) – Was on my dump-list, and even in a shootout he can’t perform barely at all.

Steven Jackson (STL) – Bad week I admit, you have better? Doubt it!

Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN) – TE’s are inconsistent, with as many TD passes as he’s got he’s earned a down week.

Donald Driver (GB) – You’ve seen all across the league that as the play of the QB drops so does the production of the WR.  This is just the first week Rodgers has slipped, and he didn’t so much as he wasn’t needed.  Jennings might be an issue, but Driver’s stock doesn’t change.

Kurt Warner (ARI) – Easiest match-up possible on the rebound so if your still around then he’ll still be ok.

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) - IT WAS THE BROWNS!!! WHATS GOING ON IN PITTSBURGH? Honestly, i don’t know but Santonio Homes is the only one playing well.

Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) – Just hope he’s healthy, ignore the bad week as I’m sure you were planning on.

LeSean McCoy (PHI) - Stick a fork in him, he’s done.  Westbrook might be coming back this week, and you can’t entrust him with your entire season.

Aaron Rodgers (GB) – He just wasn’t needed to make plays.  Grant took the first play for the Packers to the house and they controlled the game through the run ever since.

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Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals – This match-up premiers two of the toughest run defenses in the league.  The Vikings have a ridiculously large and powerful defensive line that is adept and both run stopping and pass rushing.  The Bengals are more of a group of unknowns than Jared Allen and the Williams’ in the middle for the Vikes, but they rank 2nd in the league vs the run and 4th in the league in overall defense.  We may not have expected them to be this good, but they are well coached and playing as a cohesive unit, something most defenses no longer due (Baltimore!).  Two premiere RBs face two premiere run defenses so how do us analysts rank these guys?  Well its sure tough but there is a reason you drafted Peterson first overall and that was to play him!  Peterson is still a top10 back despite the match-up problems and has to be started.  Benson is also a top 10 back this season but he falls a little farther past 15 but above 20.  You are likely still playing him, however if you were lucky enough to draft Ray Rice and Ricky Williams you could very well have better options.  As far as passing goes, Favre looks to be falling out of my top 10 at QB this week and not because of his age.  I think the Vikings match-up really well here and I think that AP will get the best of this Bengal D that hasn’t faced too many elite backs so far this season.  If the Vikings do not game plan to beat these guys in the running game and succeed I fear for how deep into the playoffs they can really go.  The Vikes secondary can be thrown on, so I also think that if the Bengals are going to win it has to be in a shootout through the air.  This wont be easy as Palmer hasn’t been playing like his old self this season (though quite good), he is merely managing the game they hope to win by running the ball over 30 times with Benson.

San Diego Chargers vs Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys seemed to have solved their offensive woes as they ad a good outing last week in a tough divisional loss to the Giants.  The Cowboys have a tough schedule and the playoffs are a must if people like Wade Phillips and Tony Romo if they hope to be employed next year.  Unluckily for them they are facing a red hot Chargers team that needs to maintain their winning ways now that Denver is out of its losing streak.  I do not think that either defense is so good that there are any offensive players devalued by their match-up.  On the contrary this should be a decently high scoring affair and the likes of Rivers, Austin, and Jackson see a slight increase in their stock this week.

Denver Broncos vs Indianapolis Colts - This is the best chance there is left in the regular season for the Colts to add a notch to the loss column; Orton has come back from his injury pretty well, Marshall is making plays for him in the passing game, and Moreno and Buckhalter are both good backs that are making the most of their chances.  The Broncos are a complete football team that is well coached, but the Colts have Manning and that has been the only coach to make much of a difference.  The players I like in the game are the usual players for each team, Manning, Wayne, Moreno and Marshall.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants – I love when two teams from this division play, they are always fun to watch so if you get the chance I recommend it.  Brian Westbrook is potentially going to be playing in this game, and this devalues LeSean McCoy, and couple that with his limited use last week, and his future gets murky.  He is still a great flex play this week or a RB2 if you are hurting from injuries at the moment.  DeSean Jackson looks to be returning as well this week, and should do just fine in the same role you were using him before.  Manningham has been a huge flop as of late so you aren’t using him, but Smith has been seeing a bump in productivity as he has seen at least 7 points in each of the last four weeks.  Smith is coming fresh off a 110 yard performance last week and should be a solid WR2 spot this week as we should see a fair share of scoring.

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Studs

Tony Romo (DAL) – Even though it was December and the Cowboys lost, Romo out preformed all other QBs in Fantasy Football last week!  The Cowboys still need to find answers going down the stretch, but primarily on the defensive side of the ball.  Romo has some pretty average defenses coming up, and with the teams being the Chargers and Saints we can be sure that the Boys’ll be throwing plenty.  The Redskins are the opponent in Week 16 for most super bowl games in Fantasy which is not a great match-up, I’m sure most of you are still having nightmares about the last Cowboys Redskins game!

Kurt Warner (ARI) – If you risked starting Warner last week good for you!  The Cards got a big win over one of the NFC’s top teams, and really made a statement about their chances going into the playoffs.  They did not look like a Super Bowl contender in the early half of the season but all that matters is how you finish.  The next three match ups are against the NFLs 27th, 16th, and 32nd ranked passing defenses in that order.  These teams are (again, in order) the 49ers, the Rams, and the Lions.  The Rams are still a soft match-up for any passing game despite their surprisingly high rank, can’t ask for any better match-ups from your best QB!

Brandon Jacobs (NYG) – If you started Jacobs in week 14 then you are a braver man (or woman) than I.  Even in this big statistical game where he ended up the top Fantasy RB in the league he looked terrible with the ball.  Jacobs’ rushing stats were not enough to break double digits even with his rushing TD, but on one beautifully set-up screen play Jacobs found a whole to go 74 yards for a score (13 fantasy points of his 22 point total).  Jacobs is not the answer to your fantasy team or the New York Giants and should not be counted on as a starter in the playoffs.

Knowshon Moreno (DEN) – Moreno put up the highest fantasy point total of his rookie season this past week against the Chiefs (20 points).  He may not yet be an auto start, but consider that he plays the Chiefs again in Week 17 if that is when your Super Bowl is, as well as the Raiders in Week 15.  Moreno should definitely crack your starting lineup in those games, and probably even in his other match-ups next week vs the Colts and in Week 16 when he faces the Eagles.  Also if you were wondering Buckhalter still made an impact with 113 yards Sunday, but I still can’t see him threatening Moreno’s value as he gets most the carries and the goal line duties.

Robert Meachem (NO) – My apologies to any of you who asked about Meachem over the past week.  It has been easy to excuse his big games as a result of Colston being shut down, but after five of them it just cannot be ignored any more.  It is very difficult to talk about why the 5th weapon in any offense is a reliable fantasy play (Colston, Henderson, Thomas, Bush being who I feel are more valuable players), but numbers do not lie.  Meachem has 7 catches, four TDs and 43 more yards than number one receiver Marques Colston over the last five games.  I talk a lot about the short memory fantasy owners need to have, and Meachem owners should start to get excited.  This can’t mean that Meachem is the new top fantasy receiver in New Orleans, but it sure makes him the number 2 option over Henderson.

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) – In Fantasy Football terms Boldin actually out preformed Fitz on Sunday, but this duo was 1 point apart and both inside the top 5 at WR this week.  Fitz continues to be Warner’s favorite target as he was thrown to 12 times (catching 8 of them) against the Vikings for 143 yards and a score.  Boldin caught one fewer pass on three fewer targets but got two TDs to go along with his 98 yards.  I mentioned the very good match-ups Warner has already so I won’t repeat them, I’ll just say you don’t want to play against either receiver down the stretch!

Pierre Garcon (IND) – A career day for this young Colts receiver on Sunday.  This guy has quite the future ahead of him as long as he is on the field with Manning, but this season he will be near impossible to rely on as a WR1 or WR2 at any point.  For those of you in deeper formats or with flex positions feel free to use Garcon as a WR3 or flex play in the playoffs as his 136 yard performance vastly over shadowed star Reggie Wayne’s 48 yard day!

Jermichael Finley (GB) – Since his injury earlier this season Finley has been a beast.  I have seen numerous games where the Packers motion him around to create the ideal match-up and expose the defense and when executed properly Finley is a monster.  I think Finley will follow a pretty similar career path as Marques Colston down the line (do you remember being able to play Colston as either a WR or a TE? I do!) as long as he stays healthy.  Monday night Finley caught seven passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns proving that he deserves a shot on any Fantasy Football roster in the playoffs.

Duds

Adrian Peterson (MIN) – 5 pts – The whole team struggled, and to get out of this funk, you should see a heavy dose of AP to force teams to focus more on him and leave the passing game open.  Still no worries for AP down the stretch.

Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) – 7 pts – What can ya say other than a win is a win.  The Jags pulled a close win from the Texans on Sunday and did so with a pretty disappointing performance from both their offensive stars.  MJD is still a top 3 RB.

Frank Gore (SF) – 3 pts – Gore owners have to be worried as they watch Smith develop and the offense migrate towards a pass first philosophy.  If you have another option think about it long and hard because Gore’s production is slipping fast.

LeSean McCoy (PHI) – 2 pts – I have no clue what to make of the RB situation in Philly other than to say that McCoy is the best healthy back there.  You’re not dropping him, and you will likely still be playing him this week, but lets hope he gets the ball next week!

Greg Olsen (CHI) – 0 pts – Two bad teams met Sunday and the Bears won, kind of.  17-9 was the score of this game, and if I was a Bears fan I would be looking for a rock to climb under right about now.  Forte was the only bright spot this week as Olsen was blanked.

Felix Jones and Marion Barber (DAL) – 1 pt each – How bout them Cowboys in December?! We all thought Romo’s name would be on this side of my list this week lets admit it, but both RB’s in Dallas got just one fantasy point this week.  Neither can be trusted through the playoffs, but I would play Jones in a flex spot if the match-up was right.  The Cowboys win when he gets the ball, end of story.

Mike Sims-Walker (JAC) – 1 pt – MSW is still a WR3 or flex play down the stretch but the whole offense is inconsistent, even in a win.

Ray Rice (BAL) – 4 pts – You don’t likely have a better option and I’m not worried about Rice down the stretch either.  Neither team wanted to win much last night judging by the penalties, and with so many long distances to go for a first down Rice just wasn’t able to be a factor in THIS game.

Reggie Wayne (IND) – 4 pts – What can I say, Sunday was the Garcon show… Wayne is still Manning’s go-to-guy so he can be yours as well, still an auto-start.

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Titans @ Colts – I am so excited to sit down and watch this game Sunday,  it is hard to think that we can even be talking about this match up when one team is 11-0 and the other started 0-5, but how can we not?! We are about to have sooooo many questions answered about Vince Young and his red hot Titans.  I cannot expect the Titans to win it, but what if they do!? We would not be able to argue that they weren’t SUPER BOWL contenders let alone playoff bound.  The Colts have not displayed the Dominance that the Saints have but they are winning every game on the fortitude and genius of Manning.  But what about the Fantasy Relevance of the players?  Wayne and Manning are auto starts, and Addai has been so productive you probably don’t have a better option for your RB2 spot so no worries there.  Garcon is a flex play or a WR3 if your league starts that many, and he should get more credit for how well he does in that offense.  On the other side of the ball Young is not really a good fantasy option here unless it’s a 2 QB league or you’re counting on someone who ends up inactive, but I think Kenny Britt is the most relevant Titan this week.  He is an interesting flex play here as if the Titans win Britt will find the end zone.  No question CJ is the home run hitter, but you cannot stay in a ball game with Peyton Manning unless you get big plays from your passing game.

Eagles @ Falcons – Both teams are suffering some key injuries that really rob us of an even better match-up, however both teams are also fighting to make the Playoffs and the Falcons realistically can’t lose with back-up QB Redman taking the snaps and a week after rushing Michael Turner back too fast and causing him to re-injure his ankle.  The Eagles are missing starting RB Westbrook and start WR Jackson both with concussions.  White had decent production with Redman last weekend so I do not downgrade him too much, just some for the match-up.  The win here for the Eagles will give them the inside track to the Wild Card round and keep them in the hunt for the division.  I am very unsure about the Falcons RB situation this week, Snelling got minimal work and Norwood looked pretty good, so I am expecting a time share between the two making it a coin flip for who is the better start.  Eagles WRs Avant and Maclin both see big upside as they are facing a very soft Falcons secondary that ranks among the worst in the NFL.  Both WRs were active in the passing game even with Jackson in the lineup so McNabb will have little issues getting used to them.  McCoy has done very well as a fill in for Westbrook and remains a solid RB2 start till Westbrook comes back and takes some snaps away from him.

Cowboys @ Giants – Alright readers it’s December so we all know what that means!  Snow falling on Sundays, Fantasy Football playoffs are here, Egg Nog, and absurd amounts of terrible QB play in Dallas.  Romo is facing a division rival in the month of December so I don’t much like the Cowboy’s chances here, but for the sake of Fantasy Football I remind you all once again to have a very short memory!  All we care about is the last three weeks really, and while that’s not that good for Romo I think it levels out your expectations and gives him a chance to meet them.  Miles Austin is slated to have a big game and I agree, the only other player with upside around that city right now is Felix Jones as they are finally using him as the home run hitter he ought to have been all season.  Bottom line is that we get to watch the Cowboys make the playoffs this month or we get to watch the melt down and find a new head coach and starting QB in the off season, great entertainment either way.  As for the Giants, Eli wasn’t anyone’s starting QB at this point in the season anyways but with his foot injury we need to downgrade the wide outs a little bit.  Jacobs has been a huge disappointment so far and productivity from him would help this team down the stretch tremendously.  Unfortunately Jacobs has shown none of the talent he did last season and I have no reason to expect anything to improve.

Vikings @ Cardinals – Hard not to get excited about two playoff bound teams meeting at the end of the season, it’s a preview of coming attractions!  Warner has come back to limited participation in practice Wednesday but is still splitting the snaps with Leinart in case he cannot go.  Options in Warner’s place if he doesn’t go are Alex Smith and Vince Young.  Tough match-up for the Duo of Cardinals RBs this week, you should find a better option.  Peterson had an off game and had pretty bad production until the Vikes were putting the game on ice late with the running game.  Favre remains a trusted start this week as I do not think the Cards can with stand the balanced attack the Viking offense has this season.  I think Minnesota is stronger in all three phases of the game and should win impressively.

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Matt Ryan hurt his foot while being sacked in the first half on Sunday.  He looked very unsteady on his feet on the sideline and went back to the locker room, I have heard nothing on his return as of yet.

Adrian Peterson is officially active for the Vikings late game today.

Kurt Warner is officially listed as inactive

DeSean Jackson was hurt on a 6 yard grab early in the 2nd half.  His return is probable.

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