By Vidur Malik

Quarterbacks

Matt Schaub – After almost leading Houston a comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, Schaub should respond with another great game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Schaub had 393 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against the Ravens, and the Titans are 26^th in passing defense. Though the interceptions might be an issue, Schaub should more than make up for any turnovers he might commit on Sunday.

Jon Kitna – Kitna has been solid after Tony Romo went down, and though he’s thrown 10 interceptions in eight games, he should play well against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. The Redskins are 29^th in pass defense and give up almost 261 passing yards per game. He threw two interceptions in a 30-27 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but the Eagles’ defense ranks first in interceptions with 22, and the Redskins’ defense only has 11.

Don’t Do It: Kyle Orton – The last time Orton and the Denver Broncos played the Oakland Raiders, he threw two touchdown passes, but only had passing 198 yards, and also had an interception and lost a fumble. The Raiders rank seventh in pass defense, so don’t count on Orton to have a good game on Sunday.

Runningbacks

Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw and the New York Giants should get some big play opportunities against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. In their 30-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, the Eagles gave up only 41 rushing yards to Cowboys’ running back Felix Jones last week, but Jones also caught four passes for 42 yards. Bradshaw can be the same dual threat on Sunday.

Steven Jackson –Jackson only had 16 carries in the Rams’ 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints last week, and though he only averages 3.9 yards per carry on the season, he had 6.0 yards per carry against the Saints. He ran for 102 yards and a touchdown the week before in a 19-6 win against Arizona, so he’s got momentum going into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Don’t Do It: Chris Johnson – Johnson hasn’t been very consistent the past few weeks, and the Texans rank sixth in rushing defense. Johnson can make a game-changing play at any moment, but it’s probably smart to sit him this weekend.

Receivers

Sidney Rice – Rice leads the Minnesota Vikings with 17.2 yards per catch, so he doesn’t need many receptions to make an impact. He caught five passes in his last two games, so look for him to again be a big part of the Vikings’ offense on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Jacoby Ford – Ford is averaging 19.3 yards per catch this year, so if the Oakland Raiders look to make a big play through the air against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, chances are he’ll be involved. The Broncos’ defense is 28^th in total yards, so Ford should have some opportunities.

Don’t Do It: Greg Jennings – According to reports, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is questionable with a concussion, so even though Jennings has been great lately, his numbers may drop because of the problems at quarterback. The Green Bay Packers play the New England Patriots on Sunday, who rank 31^st in pass defense, but haven’t given up a passing touchdown in two weeks.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

All the trash talking amongst your buddies and you’ve made it. Distinguished and separated yourself from the majority of your buddies to reach the playoffs. You don’t want the praise of yourself to end just there. If you win it all you can rant and rave until next August or September’s fantasy draft. Heck, if there is a lockout you could extend it over a year. Nobody wins a fantasy title the easy conventional way. You have to go outside the box and take risks. Who are some contrarian players you can utilize for the final stretch?

Quarterbacks

Chad Henne- It sounds insane to think about plugging in Henne, but a quarterback with his strengths figures it out that last month of December. You see it almost every year where a promising quarterback starts to produce without hiccups and gives their team hope going into the off-season. Currently, Miami is a .500 team because they’ve been inconsistent. That’s exactly what Henne’s problem has been. With Miami basically eliminated, look for Henne to play with free reign and perform better.

Shaun Hill/Drew Stanton- We’ve never been too high on the Detroit Lions but Jim Schwartz has things turning around up there. This team is fighting hard each week, and they’ve fared well with three different quarterbacks. Stanton doesn’t make poor decisions and being a former running back in high school, has the ability to scramble. The timetable for Hill’s return is in the air, but he is a better option with his arm. One plus to either or is Jahvid Best’s health. His role has still been diminished the past few weeks, but he is showing that early season explosion in the open field. That should open things up big time for the Lions to hit Megatron deep.

Ryan Fitzpatrick- Fitz had his poorest outing of the year this past weekend against Minnesota. It was a surprise considering how well he has done against top tier defenses, which the Vikings have not been. The problem in that game was critical turnovers, that just got the offense in a funk they couldn’t get out of. Other than that game though, Fitz has been reliable. He runs the Bills offense extremely well and is going to make a big play or two every game.

Running Backs

Knowshown Moreno- Virtually non existent due to injuries and poor offensive philosophy by the Broncos, Moreno broke out this past week. With the firing of Josh McDaniels you’d expect the play calling to shift to more of a balanced attack. Orton’s hot start has faded fast as teams are applying pressure and shutting off the quick dink and dump outlet throws. Players may want to plan their vacations now, but with an interim coach he’ll make these last four games feel like September.

James Starks- We profiled Starks with Legarrette Blount as our second half of the season sleeper running backs. Starks took a bit longer than Blount but got the bulk of the carries this past week. He wasn’t stellar but seems to be the new favorite back in Green Bay. With the potency of Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Starks should be Rodgers-fed from a fantasy standpoint. Capitalizing off their quick drives and red zone possessions.

Rashad Jennings- Jacksonville’s starting to figure out they have a duel threat backfield. Jones-Drew and Jennings have been a combined tear as of late. If Jacksonville wants to hold off the rest of their divisional rivals then they’re going to need to continue to run the ball. Jennings is becoming a factor notching eleven fantasy points the past two weeks.

Wide Receivers

Davone Bess- At this point Miami doesn’t know if Brandon Marshall’s lingering injury will prevent him from stepping back onto the field. Even if he does, Marshall and Henne have not necessarily been the best of connections. Who has been is Davone Bess. Bess runs the short routes that Henne is comfortable in delivering. They seem to be on the same page every week. Bess is an extreme deep play but his upside comes in the department that you know he is going to catch six to eight passes as week.

Justin Gage- Tennessee can’t even get the ball to Randy Moss. Quietly that story has not surfaced as a headliner. Kerry Collins was rushed back due to how poor the rookie Rusty Smith performed. With Collins he has always been able to deliver the ball to Gage and Britt. Britt is out, so that makes Gage his top target. Hopefully Collins can get back in rhythm, as they face a Colts team that’s been giving up a ton of points.

Blair White- Peyton has had to deal with a plethora of mounting criticism since Sunday. How will he respond? We don’t doubt him, and we think he’ll deliver a fabulous finish to the season. Injuries have killed him but in the past he has found a go to guy to replace that area. White’s done it a few different weeks. As their third receiver, we think he’ll resurface as a monster December receiver for stats.

by Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning – After his uncharacteristically bad performance against the San Diego Chargers last week, look for Manning to redeem himself against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Cowboys rank 25^th in passing defense, and 30^th in points allowed. Also, Manning isn’t going to have two bad games in a row.

David Garrard – Look for Garrard to have a good game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He struggled against the New York Giants last week, but should put up good numbers against the Titans’ defense, which gives up almost 250 passing yards per game.

Don’t Do It: Carson Palmer – Palmer and the Bengals play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, a team that has a stingy defense that is ranked third in pass defense, seventh in yards allowed and sixth in points allowed. Also, Palmer has thrown at least two interceptions in his last three games.

Running Backs

Fred Jackson – Jackson has been performing well the whole year, and he should have another big day against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are ranked fifth in rushing defense, but Jackson is great a great receiver as well. He had 104 receiving yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, so he is a threat in both the ground and passing game.

Steven Jackson – Jackson and the St. Louis Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, who rank 31^st in rushing defense. Jackson hasn’t had great games recently, so he’s due for a strong performance. Look for that to happen this Sunday.

Don’t Do It: BenJarvus Green-Ellis – Green-Ellis hasn’t been putting up pro-bowl numbers, but he’s had three touchdowns in the past two games. Look for his yardage and touchdown total to fall this weekend when the New England Patriots take on the New York Jets on Sunday, who rank fourth in the NFL in rushing defense.

Receivers

Dustin Keller – The last time the Jets played the Patriots, Keller had his best game of the year, with seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Keller should have a similar performance when the two teams play again. He hasn’t caught a touchdown since week four, but that should change this weekend.

Lance Moore – Throughout the season, Moore has been one of the New Orleans Saints’ leading receivers. He leads the team in touchdown catches, and should be worth a starting spot this weekend when he and the Saints play the Bengals, who have a below-average defense.

Don’t Do It: Roddy White – The last time the Atlanta Falcons played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we told you not to start White, and he only had four catches for 49 yards that game. The Falcons play the Buccaneers again this week, so don’t expect White to have a good game. He’s been averaging less than 10 yards per catch his last two games, so even if he does catch a lot of passes, they may not be for very many yards.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

David Garrard – Fresh from his game-winning hail-Mary throw to Mike Thomas against the Houston Texans in week 10, Garrard should have another good game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Browns are 24^th in the league in pass defense, and Garrard has been on a roll in recent weeks, with a four-touchdown game against the Dallas Cowboys in week eight, and his game against Houston, which came after a bye week.

Matt Cassel – Cassel’s highest single-game passing total during the first nine weeks was a modest 250 yards, but against the Denver Broncos in week 10, he put 469 yards and four touchdowns. Those are rare numbers, but look for Cassel to continue producing against the Arizona Cardinals, who are 27^th in the league in pass defense, and last in scoring defense, giving up 29 points per game.

Don’t Do It: Ryan Fitzpatrick – Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, who held Peyton Manning to only 185 yards and no touchdowns. Fitzpatrick put up similar numbers last week with 146 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ first win of the season. The combination of a Bengals’ pass defense coming off of a good week and Fitzpatrick coming off of a bad one should be enough for you to bench him.

Rashard Mendenhall – Mendenhall should have a big game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, who give up almost 125 rushing yards per game. The Raiders are also second in pass defense, so Mendenhall could be a big contributor.

Peyton Hillis – Hillis and the Cleveland Browns should have a productive day against a weak Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense. The Jags give up almost 115 rushing yards per game, and Hillis is also second the Browns in receptions, increasing his potential for fantasy points on Sunday.

Don’t Do It: Darren McFadden – McFadden is having a great season, and should continue that for the rest of the year, just not on Sunday against the Steelers. They are first in rushing defense, but 26^th in pass defense, which means the Raiders should get move the ball through the air on Sunday.

DeSean Jackson – Anytime Michael Vick is starting at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, you should start Jackson. Vick’s arm strength and Jackson’s speed can combine for a big play at any moment. Jackson has a 21.5 yards per catch average, and though the Eagles play the New York Giants, who have a great pass defense, Jackson and Vick are too dangerous of a duo right now.

Reggie Wayne – The Indianapolis Colts face the New England Patriots, in what has been the NFL’s best rivalry for years. Manning should have no trouble throwing the ball against the Patriots, who are 30^th in pass defense. As Manning’s most dependable target, look for Wayne to get a good chunk of the numbers Manning puts up.

Don’t Do It: Michael Crabtree – Crabtree and the San Francisco 49ers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that opposing wideouts have struggled against recently. Atlanta Falcons’ receiver Roddy White had a tough game against them in week nine, as did receiver Steve Smith and the Carolina Panthers in week ten. Don’t expect Crabtree to put up many points on Sunday.

Eli Manning – Manning will be going up against the Seattle Seahawks, who gave up 310 yards and two touchdowns to Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell in week eight. If Campbell, who has struggled for most of the year, can put up numbers like that, expect Manning to have a great day.

Don’t Do It: Matt Cassel – Cassel had a tough game against the Buffalo Bills in week eight, and is going up against an Oakland Raiders team that is ranked fifth in the league in pass defense. The Kansas City Chiefs have the league’s best rushing attack, so look for that to be the focal point this weekend and for the rest of the season.

Michael Turner – Turner is having a great year and is coming off of a huge games against the Cincinatti Bengals. The Atlanta Falcons take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, who are 30^th in rushing defense and give up 150 rushing yards per game.

LeSean McCoy – Look for McCoy to have a big day against the Indianapolis Colts. He’s struggled recently, but is playing a defense that is 28^th against the run. Also, Michael Vick is making his return on Sunday, and may not be at full strength, in which case the running game would be a bigger factor.

Don’t Do It: Cedric Benson – Benson should be a non-factor against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. The Steelers rank 1^st in the NFL in rushing defense, and give up less than 60 yards on the ground per game. Also, the Bengals are becoming more of a passing offense. That combination means you should bench Benson this week.

Brandon Tate – Tate had a great game in the New England Patriots’ week eight win against the Minnesota Vikings, with 3 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. He’s a deep threat, and is playing a Cleveland Browns’ team that struggles against the pass, so he should get touches.

Hines Ward – Ward had a quiet day in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the New Orleans Saints in week eight, but the Steelers are playing the Bengals on Monday night. Ward had a touchdown in two straight games prior to week eight, and you know he’s going to bring it all against the rival Bengals.

Don’t Do It: Roddy White – White is having a great year, and is definitely an elite receiver, but you should consider benching him for this week. White’s Atlanta Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had four interceptions in a week eight win against the Arizona Cardinals. Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib picked off two by himself, and could shut White down if they’re matched up on Sunday.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassel – Look for Cassel to have another big game after good performances against Houston and Jacksonville. The Kansas City Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, who do rank ninth in the NFL in passing defense, but Cassel has had back-to-back games with at least two touchdown passes and no interceptions, so he seems to be finding a rhythm.

Jason Campbell – If Campbell and the Oakland Raiders want to show that their week seven win over the Denver Broncos, in which they scored 59 points, wasn’t a fluke, they have a great opportunity to do so this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks give up over 260 passing yards per game, and rank 2nd in rush defense, so Campbell should have the opportunities to put up good numbers, like he did against Denver.

Don’t Do It: Mark Sanchez – After not throwing an interception in his first five games, Sanchez threw two in the New York Jets’ 24-20 win over Denver in week six. The Jets take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, who picked off Brett Favre three times in their week seven win over the Minnesota Vikings. It will be tough for Sanchez to have a mistake-free game against the Pack.

Running Backs

Frank Gore – With the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback situation again going through changes, Gore will be an even bigger part of an offense in which he is already the main guy. The 49ers play the Denver Broncos, who rank 30th in rush defense, so look for Gore to have a good game on the ground, and a few receptions out of the backfield as well.

Arian Foster – In terms of yards, Foster has struggled in his past two games, but that should change against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Colts give up over 130 rushing yards a game, so Foster should hit high marks in yards and yards per carry.

Steven Jackson – Jackson and the St. Louis Rams play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, whose defense is stingy through the air but generous on the ground. Look for Jackson to have a big day against a team that ranks fourth in pass defense and 24th in rush defense.

Receivers

Jordan Shipley – Shipley had his breakout game in the Cincinnati Bengals’ week seven loss to the Atlanta Falcons, with six catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. Wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco also had good games, and Shipley should be able to get plenty of opportunities to become another target for quarterback Carson Palmer.

Mike Williams – Williams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Arizona Cardinals, who give up over 220 passing yards per game. Williams has been a consistent target for the Buccaneers’ offense, and is second on the team in receptions, so look for him to have a good day.

Don’t Do It: Brandon Marshall – There’s no doubt that Marshall is a great receiver, but he hasn’t produced as much in terms of fantasy points as other receivers of his caliber. He’s only got one touchdown catch, which is surprising considering his size, which should make him a huge target in red zone and goal-line situations. It might be best to go for a receiver who is a bigger touchdown threat.