By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

As the playoff time begins, it’s important to solidify your backups in case your starters get some late-season rest. This will probably be the case for those of you who have Frank Gore on your team, as he hasn’t been at full-strength for a while.

Fortunately, his backup Kendall Hunter should provide some production, and you should consider picking him up. The Niners already locked up the NFC West and are now playing for playoff seeding, so even though their games are still meaningful, Gore doesn’t necessarily need to have big days these last few weeks. He’s been the team’s workhorse for several seasons now, but Hunter showed he is a capable runner himself this season.

Hunter’s stats aren’t impressive (82 carries for 322 yards and two touchdowns), but he has made the most of his chances during his rookie season, and when Gore was struggling early this year, there was even talk of Hunter cutting into Gore’s carries. Gore ultimately proved he could handle a starter’s workload, but Hunter has still gotten consistent reps and has caught 11 passes for 149 yards, demonstrating that he can use his quickness as a receiver as well.

Hunter has probably not made many headlines on the national scene, but you should capitalize on that and pick him up if he is available in your league. Chances are Gore will not receive 20 carries a game, and any reps he doesn’t get should go to Hunter. He’s solidified himself as the No. 2 running back in San Francisco, and his value should be at its peak now that the 49er starters could rest in preparation for the playoffs.

One of the most challenging aspects of the fantasy playoffs is figuring out which starters to bench. If Gore is on your team, read up on his updates and pick up Hunter as insurance. If Gore looks like he’ll play, you’ve still got one of the league’s best on your team. If he doesn’t play, you’ll put yourself in the best position to get points he would normally pick up by starting Hunter.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

After the 2009 season, we highly recommended Vikings receiver Percy Harvin for you to pick up in the 2010 fantasy draft.

He followed up his rookie season with another great year in 2010, and he has really emerged as one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers this season. Those of you that have him on your team have been reaping the rewards as of late. After not getting in the end zone through the air for the first 10 weeks of the season, Harvin has caught four touchdowns in the past three weeks, including two in the Vikings’ 35-32 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. Harvin had his best receiving stats of the year in that game, catching eight passes for 156 yards. He has clearly become a favorite target for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. Harvin has caught at least six passes in the last four games, and has a touchdown in the last three. He’s at 59 catches for 710 yards and four touchdowns for the year, and going off of his recent production, he should end this season with career-high totals in all those categories.

Combine his receiving skills with his kick return abilities, and you’ve got yourself an elite scoring threat. He’s run back one kick return for a touchdown this season, and got his name in the record books with a 104-yard run in week 12, which is the longest non-scoring play in NFL history. He also has a rushing touchdown this season, so he can really impact a game in many ways.

There are quite a few playmakers in the NFL who can score at any time in one particular situation. Whether it’s a deep-threat receiver or a kick returner who can take it the distance at any time, these types of players are pretty common. The player who has all these qualities, however, is rare. Consider Harvin in that class. After three years of playmaking as a receiver and kick returner, it’s time to put Harvin in that elite group of guys who must be accounted for by both defenses and special teams. Darren Sproles is probably the only other player who fits this mold, but other than him, there really isn’t anyone else who can put up solid offensive numbers while also returning kicks with the best of them.

If you didn’t draft Harvin this season, make sure to get him next year and for many years to come. You won’t regret it.

A season ending injury to Jamaal Charles means there are some carries and waiver wire opportunities in Kansas City. Jones and McCluster should only be considered flex options at this time with upside once Matt Cassel settles down. There are plenty of other injury concerns as well, Felix Jones, Steven Jackson, and Arian Foster. All are to be left benched until further notice later in the week.

Here is a breakdown of week three fantasy running back rankings.

1. LeSean McCoy-
Andy Reid has heightened McCoy’s impact per play even more in 2011. McCoy is going to be a weekly fantasy beast, a sure lock for dependability like Brian Westbrook use to be. A PPR and yardage monster, that is finding his way into the end zone.

2. Chris Johnson
This should be the week Johnson gets things going and gives fantasy owners that spent their first round pick on him a sigh of relief. If he doesn’t contribute to an expected breakout outing, opposing fantasy owners may want to try and probe a request to Johnson owners and try to steal him away.

3. Adrian Peterson
Detroit’s defensive line is halting opposing rushers with ease. Peterson will be up for the challenge as he is every week. Look for Peterson to do more damage on screens to offset the pass rush happy Lions young defense.

4. Ray Rice
It was disappointing to see the Ravens offense inefficiency against the Titans. Rice was contained in the second half vs. the Titans and that’s when the Ravens chances diminished to win the game.

5. Maurice Jones-Drew
The Jaguars are the laughing stock of the NFL currently for their poor decision to trade Garrard. They’ll do everything they can to try and win this game to get the spotlight of their organization. Expect long drawn out drives with a ton of carries from MJD.

6. Jahvid Best

7. Ahmad Bradshaw

8. Rashard Mendenhall

9. Matt Forte

10. Fred Jackson

11. Beanie Wells

12. Ben Tate

13. Mike Turner

14. Frank Gore

15. Peyton Hillis

16. Ryan Matthews

17. Tim Hightower

18. Danny Woodhead

19. Darren McFadden

20. Cedric Benson

21. Darren Sproles

22. Daniel Thomas

23. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

24. Shonn Greene

25. Dexter McCluster

26. LeGarrette Blount

27. Willis McGahee

28. James Starks

29. Cadillac Williams

30. Brandon Jacobs

31. DeAngelo Williams

32. Marshawn Lynch

33. Tashard Choice

34. Mark Ingram

35 Thomas Jones

36. Jonathan Stewart

37. Mike Tolbert

38. Reggie Bush

39. Felix Jones

40. Arian Foster (Limited carries if he plays)

41. DeLone Carter

42. Ricky Williams

43. Joey Addai

44. Roy Helu

45. Ryan Grant

46. Pierre Thomas

47. Mike Bush

48. LT

49. Isaac Redman

50. DejI Karim

51. Javon Ringer

Quarterbacks were supposed to be behind to start the year. That hasn’t been the case, as even rookie quarterback have made the jump look relatively easy. With defenses shuffling to get to the sideline for oxygen masks, it’s clear which units are behind to start the year. Match ups this weekend look even more intriguing then the first few weeks. This is a very deep week for quarterbacks, as I could seeing the top twenty having very solid fantasy games.

1. Tom Brady
Teams still can’t figure out how to press up on the Patriots receivers and halt the quick hot route throw. The Patriots have come in as an offensive machine. Relentless as a play concludes to run their hurry up offense. As teams get in shape, will see if Brady is still able to continue to exploit defenses at a incredible high rate. With Aaron Hernandez sidelined for an extended time, he’ll have to find another target to step up.

2. Philip Rivers
He has not even came close to his caliber of play the first two weeks. This will be the perfect match up to get Rivers ignited.

3. Aaron Rodgers
The few times Rodgers has struggled it has come against the Bears. He needs to get over that lackluster regularity versus the Bears. The way he has started this year, lackluster may not be in his vocabulary for a full sixteen games. He is throwing balls in tight spots like an old quarterback challenge drill.

4. Drew Brees
It’ll be interesting to see if Brees can maneuver and throw over the edge rushers of the Texans. They’ll be attacking to try and prevent Brees from seeing the field clearly. At the end of the day though, even when Brees looks like he is having a rough game, he manages to pile up stats.

5. Tony Romo
NFL fans favorite guy to pat on the back after week two. How fast the media can change the perception of fans. Romo did gut out a crucial come from behind win. He has played this way for awhile now. It’s getting the whole team on the same page, and limiting critical mistakes that Romo needs to address. Leadership is rising to all his teammates after last week.

6. Mike Vick (If He Plays)
Chances are he will sit this game, but the Eagles will draw it out all week. The Giants are one of the best teams at attacking Mike Vick, and to sit on the side of caution the Eagles should sit him.

7. Cam Newton
First he shredded the Cardinals defense, then he tore apart a Dom Capers defense. Dom Capers who has been one of the masterminds of defensive schemes over the last ten years. Cam is the real deal, and is excelling much further then anyone could have imagined. A match up against the Jaguars should bolster his value even more.

8. Matt Schaub
Kevin Walters should be returning soon. Houston has shifted from a team that loved to get into shootouts, to more of a possession type team that eats away the clock. That may cause Schaub to rest around the eight to twelve range for most of the season.

9. Ryan Fitzpatrick
A waiver wire/backup dandy that gets a starting nod this week. New England is going to give up yards through the air, there is no doubt about that. Even though Fitzpatrick has limited weapons, he’ll find a way to have a third consecutive highly rated game.

10. Matt Stafford
This team is playing with a passion of confidence. All the years of working towards this state, has this team sensing the accomplishment. Matt Stafford is loaded with weapons and is ready to challenge the Packers.

11. Sam Bradford

12. Ben Roethlisberger

13. Matt Ryan

14. Mark Sanchez

15. Josh Freeman

16. Kevin Kolb

17. Rex Grossman

18. Matt Hasselbeck

19. Jay Cutler

20. Chad Henne

21. Joe Flacco

22. Eli Manning

23. Jason Campbell

24. Kyle Orton

25. Donovan McNabb

26. Andy Dalton

27. Mike Kafka (If he starts over Vick)

28. Matt Cassel

29. Colt McCoy

30. Kerry Collins

31. Alex Smith

32. Tavaris Jackson

33. Luke McCown

Thin or deep at running back, you’ll still need to make key moves each week on the right guys. Having depth is always a good thing, to be able to maneuver around the constant injury bug that plagues every owner at some point during the season. Don’t get to cute with who you start though. Plug in the guys you drafted highly. Don’t over react and bench a sure starter just because of a poor week one. If you’re in a catastrophic situation at running back, swapping guys constantly isn’t going to help. Reach out and seek a trade.

Here’s a look at week two fantasy running back rankings.

1. Adrian Peterson
The Vikings offense barely managed 30 plays. Everyone knows how poorly Donovan McNabb was in week one. I’ll need to see another abysmal outing from McNabb before Peterson shifts down any spots. Look for Peterson to be fueled to pickup his veteran quarterback, and get the offense cranked up via his shoulders.

2. Ray Rice
It was never a question for Ray Rice if the yardage would be there. It was if he can/would be the go to guy to get Ravens touchdowns. Rice annihilated the Steelers defense tallying monster yards via the ground and pass catching. Expect things to continue vs. the Tennessee Titans.

3. Matt Forte
Forte might have the highest use per play of any high caliber fantasy back in the NFL. He is used so much out of the backfield. Unlike a few years ago, the Bears have figured out how to break him loose almost every game. They just know when to call the appropriate play in their simplistic offense. Look for the Saints to get caught a few times, when they try to blitz Cutler.

4. Rashard Mendenhall
It’s only week two, but Seattle is so hopeless that this game is going to look like a team in week seventeen playing with no effort. With how shaky Roethlisberger was in week one, the Steelers will tone back his throws. Mendenhall should get twenty plus carries and well over a hundred and twenty yards.

5. Darren McFadden
Give McFadden credit. He was being tabbed with the injury prone label, but thwarted that last season. Now if he can keep his Denver Bronco type numbers going against other teams, he will shoot up officially as a top seven fantasy back.

6. LeSean McCoy
Vick has been being put on his back and pressured relentlessly throughout the preseason and week one. Just a few years ago that was a welcomed occurrence by Andy Reid. The Eagles still are one of the best screen and short dump teams in the NFL. Look for McCoy to put up equal numbers receiving as he does rushing, with around sixty to seventy yards in both categories.

7. Cedric Benson
He just continues to bull over defenses and produce numbers. One of the few backs that gets near all the carries for his team, and still gets overlooked when fantasy drafts are being conducted. If you grabbed him as your second back, you’ll reap the rewards once again. A favorable matchup for Benson this week shoots him up into the top ten for week two.

8. Tim Hightower
Washington seems to have found a proper balance with their offense. Hightower didn’t break a long gainer week one like he did in preseason, but still managed a touchdown. They’ll feed him the ball plenty of times against his ex-teammates. Rocket Hightower up not just for this week, but for the season. This will easily be his most productive season, now that he is getting the bulk of the carries. Another revengeful thing Hightower will have on his mind this week.

9. Maurice Jones-Drew
The bowling ball finds a way to get it done. He faces the toughest matchup of top fantasy backs, but do not let that stray you from inserting him in your lineup. If you drafted solidly, your running back two option should be able to pick up an extra five to eight points to make up for Jones-Drew’s slight dip this week.

10. Jahvid Best
Crank out the oldies. Best is humming and voicing, “Kansas City, Kansas City here comes a monster day”. Detroit’s offense is going to soar weekly just like their defense is coming together. Best is the type of guy that when he has an impressive game, it comes in the range of multiple touchdowns and tons of yards. Don’t forget Best played the majority of the season last year with an injury, but to start of the 2010 season he was a beast.

11. Frank Gore
12. Jamaal Charles
13. Ahmad Bradshaw
14. Michael Turner
15. Arian Foster
16. Fred Jackson
17. Chris Johnson
18. Peyton Hillis
19. Beanie Wells
20. Reggie Bush
21. Felix Jones
22. Shonn Greene
23. LeGarrette Blount
24. Mike Tolbert
25. Darren Sproles
26. James Starks
27. DeAngelo Williams
28. Willis McGahee
29. Ben Tate
30. Mark Ingram
31. Danny Woodhead
32. Cadillac Williams
33. Ryan Matthews
34. Joseph Addai
35. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
36. MarShawn Lynch
37. Jonathan Stewart
38. Ricky Williams
39. DeLone Carter
40. Brandon Jacobs
41. LT
42. Ryan Grant
43. Pierre Thomas
44. Mike Bush
45. Knowshown Moreno (Likely Out or Limited)
46. Thomas Jones
47. Jerome Harrison
48. DejI Karim
49. Marion Barber
50. CJ Spiller

Special teams ignited for eight touchdowns in week one. You better believe the yelling from head coach to the special teams coaches trickled down to the practice fields this week. With the way quarterbacks lit up opposing units week one, it might be a turn around affect week two. Especially with some of the young quarterbacks such as Cam Newton and Chad Henne who played at career day levels.

** Potential Available Defenses on Waivers Worth Picking Up For Week Two
- Tampa Bay- Things are not looking like they are going to bode well for McNabb. The chemistry just isn’t there and the lack of offensive weapons could mean a second straight poor outing for McNabb.

- Denver- They don’t get to face rookie Andy Dalton but they do get journeyman Bruce Gradkowski. The Broncos gave up the most yards Monday night but that’s been a perpetual issue when they face Darren McFadden. Look for them to fluster Gradkowski and force some turnovers. Their special teams has already been a force with a returned touchdown by Eric Decker.

1. Baltimore
The cohesiveness this team has throughout their entire defense is unheard of. The past couple of years the weakness was in the secondary. It looks like with Ed Reed healthy and some of the youngsters matured and more experienced that has been fixed. Forcing five turnovers against the supreme of the AFC over the last few years was a huge opening weekend statement. They get to face the Titans and Matt Hasselbeck this week.

2. Green Bay
The welcoming Cam Newton was supposed to get week one will be delivered a week late. Green Bay has flustered some of the best quarterbacks over the last year. It’ll be a wake up call and a turnover prone game for Newton.

3. New York Jets
Romo had his way with the Jets through the air, but the defense was stout versus the run. Jacksonville’s only chance to stay in this game is through clock management. If the Jets are able to ground the rushing attack, it’ll force them to throw the ball more than they would want. I anticipate that happening and for McCown to show that he should only be a backup quarterback.

4. Detroit
They forced a team that lived off the ground attack a year ago, to abandon the run with their primary ball carrier only getting five attempts. Now they get Matt Cassel who seems to have blinders on overlooking down the field beyond seven yards. You can bank on a pick six from a tipped pass in this one.

5. Pittsburgh
After a proud team gets bullied, it is never good for the next weeks opponent. Sorry Seattle.

6. Atlanta
Mike Vick was drilled twenty one times by the Rams defense. He may be facing his former team but don’t expect Vick to have one of those high caliber performances. Atlanta will contain him with their defensive speed and expose the Eagles putrid offensive line.

7. Houston
Henne was in a groove week one, but it’s obvious that is not his comfort behind center. Houston moved the ball efficiently week one and facing Miami’s bottom tier defense should continue that. You can’t expect Henne to perform at that type of high rate, meaning that there should be more turnovers in week two.

8. Chicago
This is a true team unit. If with or without Brian Urlacher they’ll have even extra motivation to form together Sunday.

9. Denver
Noted in above possible defenses available on waiver wire.

10. Philadelphia
Matt Ryan just didn’t seem 100% in rhythm week one. Drives were stagnant against the Bears and he only found comfort delivering to Tony Gonzalez. The slow start could be attributed to his history of faring far better on his home turf. He’ll be tested even at home this weekend, going against the Eagles All-Pro secondary.

11. Tampa Bay
12. Dallas
13. San Francisco
14. New Orleans
15. Buffalo
16. Cleveland
17. Oakland
18. Washington
19. San Diego
20. Minnesota
21. New York Giants
22. New England
23. Indianapolis
24. Seattle
25. Kansas City
26. Miami
27. Jacksonville
28. Tennessee
29. Arizona
30. St. Louis
31. Cincinnati
32. Carolina

The passing game was supposed to struggle early on this season. Lack of preparation to get the chemistry intact was supposed to give the advantage to defenses. When Chad Henne and Cam Newton both throw for 400 yards, the glaring weaknesses in the NFL definitely aren’t at quarterback. Still, it’s hard in the NFL to put together solid outings on a consistent basis unless you’re one of the regular top tier fantasy quarterbacks.

Will there be a dip in fantasy production in week two? Expectantly so. Here are quarterback rankings for week two based upon match ups.

1. Tom Brady
The clinic he put on Monday night is put down as an instant classic performance. As the saying goes, what happens in preseason means nothing. Brady had time to thread the ball wherever and whenever he wanted to. With the freedom and amount of throws vs. the run New England does, it’ll be hard for Brady not to consistently be in the top two or three fantasy quarterbacks each week.

2. Aaron Rodgers
Just because the Packers played five days ago doesn’t mean Rodgers opening night performance should be over looked. Either Rodgers already has a great rapport with his receivers or he found a way to work with his receivers during the lockout. The timing he has in place with Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson is impressive.

3. Mike Vick
A poor completion percentage, but statistically that doesn’t matter in fantasy football. Vick looks as if he won’t have any issues performing with a new contract. Going up against his old team at Atlanta should truly be the unleashing moment for Vick’s return to the top.

4. Tony Romo
Unfortunate errors seem to plague Tony Romo. Analyzing the entire game vs. the Jets though, you have to be impressed with the way Romo played. It looks as if he may be ready to get into the tier one category of fantasy quarterbacks. Replacing Peyton Manning for 2011.

5. Philip Rivers
The San Diego Chargers always raise the level of intensity when they face the New England Patriots. There is an extended past history here. You best believe Rivers is going to want to outshine Tom Brady. It’s his nature to compete. Chad Henne’s dazzling performance is even more of an indicator to boost Rivers for this weekend.

6. Drew Brees
There is a lot of great match ups this week for quarterbacks if Brees is ranked sixth. Chicago is one of a few teams that knows how to game plan and frustrate Brees. The running game never truly got going in week one for the Saints. With a couple of receivers nicked up, Brees could have a tough time having a typical Brees outing.

7. Matt Schaub
The Dolphins don’t get any rest from an offensive attack. Houston ran the ball quite often against the Colts. Mostly to prevent from drubbing the Colts even worse in the total points column. Miami should stay in this game a bit longer. Meaning Schaub should have an aerial attack against the Dolphins poor secondary.

8. Jay Cutler
Cutler never really stretches the field for deep throws, but his yardage numbers add up in chunks. Mike Martz’s system has caught a lot of flack over the years, but it is safe and effective. Matt Forte’s extra YAC is becoming routine to pad Cutler’s stats.

9. Matt Stafford
Kansas City is in for a long season after being embarrassed in a home blowout loss to Buffalo. Detroit’s defense is going to feast off of Matt Cassel’s inability to deliver the ball with accuracy. Expect a lot of short fields and for the Lions to come out and make a statement that they’re a team to be reckoned with.

10. Joe Flacco
Nothing has changed with the way the Ravens defense showed up and stomped an opponent. The difference was in the scoreboard. Instead of a 13-7 victory, the Ravens were able to show some efficiency offensively for a 35-7 blowout. Flacco has shown he can deliver but has been so sporadic throughout his young career. Can he put it together over a full season?

11. Chad Henne
12. Ben Roethlisberger
13. Mark Sanchez
14. Rex Grossman
15. Matt Ryan
16. Josh Freeman
17. Ryan Fitzpatrick
18. Kevin Kolb
19. Kyle Orton
20. Eli Manning
21. Cam Newton
22. Colt McCoy
23. Sam Bradford
24. Jason Campbell
25. Donovan McNabb
26. Matt Hasselbeck
27. Tavaris Jackson
28. Matt Cassel
29. Luke McCown
30. Alex Smith
31. Andy Dalton
32. Kerry Collins

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The news of the day comes out of Indianapolis. In years past, Peyton Manning’s body was able to recoup just in time to get on the playing field week one. Signing Kerry Collins seemed like a desperation move. Now though it looks like Collins may end up earning that $4 million. Out of all backup quarterbacks over the last few years, Collins seems to always make a substantial amount of starts.

If you’re drafting your money league or bragging rights league in the next few days, here is an updated quarterbacks ranking list.

1. Drew Brees

Brees was one of the quarterbacks that had a major incline in interceptions last season. Twenty two in total in fact. He seemed to have the Brett Favre in him a little too much last year. Maybe it was because of the prior seasons success, that he was a little too care free. Brees gets more freedom than any quarterback in the league. Look for him to get back on the proper page, and aim for over 5,000 yards again.

2. Aaron Rodgers

How will Rodgers handle the success of winning his first Super Bowl? Remember Green Bay got hot as a team on the tail end of last year. It wasn’t a typical Super Bowl run. The good thing for Rodgers is he has many weapons at his disposal. Complementing the aerial attack with a solid ground game will be key to Rodgers staying ranked as a top three quarterback this year.

3. Philip Rivers

The gunslinger with a mouth has been as quiet as a mouse this off-season. Has he matured to the point that he is going to lead this team by his actions from game one? There comes a point when a player with exponential talent puts it together one hundred percent. Not just as an individual but to the extent that his teammates feed off of that and absorb it. Look for the Chargers to get off to a hot start this year.

4. Tom Brady

New England is still capital of the short yardage passing game. They’re so clever at the ways they disguise the lack of a true running game. You would think that would have hurt Brady by now, but they still get the short hot routes delivered with ease. Tight end play is on the upside as well for Brady. Both rookies Gronkowski and Hernandez proved that they’re going to garner more drawn up plays by the Patriots. The only thing scary with Brady is if the offensive line can patch things up and protect him.

5. Mike Vick

Part Two of his incredible comeback starts with mega millions back in the bank. We are a tad bit worried about Vick for multiple reasons. Added pressure to build upon an outstanding 2010 season. Receivers that have been top notch caliber, but Maclin is coming back from a long bout with an undisclosed health issue. DeSean Jackson has been tough his whole career but has had to deal with injuries just about every season. Vick’s age at 31 has not been brought up like it should. His body was able to take the fresh licks last season. Now that he played twelve games for the first time since 2006 it should be very interesting to see how he mid season.

6. Tony Romo

7. Matt Ryan

8. Matt Stafford

9. Matt Schaub

10. Peyton Manning

11. Kevin Kolb

12. Ben Roethlisberger

13. Eli Manning

14. Joe Flacco

15. Sam Bradford

16. Ryan Fitzpatrick

17. Josh Freeman

18. Matt Cassel

19. Jay Cutler

20. Kyle Orton

21. Colt McCoy

22. Rex Grossman

23. Donovan McNabb

24. Mark Sanchez

25. Chad Henne

26. Luke McCown

27. Matt Hasselbeck

28. Jason Campbell

29. Alex Smith

30. Cam Newton

31. Andy Dalton

32. Tavaris Jackson

33. Vince Young

34. John Beck

35. Shaun Hill

36. Jake Locker

 37. David Garrard