Big weekend of football, as LSU squares off against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  I think that the Tigers will emerge victorious in T-town, and the winner of this game will undoubtedly meet Florida in the SEC Championship game. 

My fantasy team is sitting at 4-4, .500, middle of the pack, and while I’d rather be at a 8-0, I feel like I’m still in position to make the playoffs.   Remember though, once playoffs start, all bets are off and you can throw the records out the window.  I hope that everyone is at least in my shoes or doing better, but for those on the verge of being eliminated from the playoff race, there is always next year.

Good luck to all this weekend!

Here are today’s great reads:

• Even though T.O. is gone from Dallas, there still seems to be some drama lingering amongst the ranks of wide receivers.  [Every Morning Quarterback]
• As the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. here are 9 moves you can make now to ensure post-season success. [Fantasy Football Fools]
• Also, looking ahead into the future, these teams are facingthe best matchups during weeks 15 & 16.  [Pancake Blocks]

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Time again to take a look at how the fantasy rankings have shaken out with another quarter of the season in the books.

Now at the midway point in the NFL schedule fantasy owners are getting a better idea of which players are for real and which may have been fantasy mirages. After the first four weeks we showed you the top-10 fantasy players at each position; This time, we give you the top 12.

The rankings below are for a standard-scoring, non-PPR league. Standard scoring in this case means the following for the offensive positions: 6 points for all touchdowns, 1 point per 25 yards passing, 1 point per 10 yards rushing/receiving, -2 points per turnover.

Top 12 Quarterbacks

Imagine how good Aaron Rodgers could be, or how good the Packers could be, if the Green Bay offensive line could give him some protection … Matt Schaub had a strong first half but has to deal with the loss of Owen Daniels now … Brett Favre continues his meteoric rise up the QB rankings, but can the old man sustain this pace in the second half? … Tony Romo is kind of sneaky in here; He was almost written-off by most of the public after the early part of 2009.

Top 12 Running Backs

No one is surprised to see Peterson, Jones-Drew and Johnson at the top of the rankings … Ray Rice has become a fantasy stud, he is a must-start every week going forward regardless of match-up … Thomas Jones continues to get it done, despite all the offseason talk about him being done as a valuable fantasy commodity … Poor Steven Jackson. Dude has one touchdown to his credit in St. Louis and still tears it up. If only he played for a better team.

Top 12 Wide Receivers

Hello Vincent Jackson, welcome to the No. 2 wide receiver ranking in fantasy football. I am slightly surprised … Wow, what a difference a few games have made for Miles Austin … No one should be surprised to see a Green Bay receiver in the top 12, but I think many would be surprised that it is not Greg Jennings after all the preseason love … DeSean Jackson continues to score really, really long touchdowns.

Top 12 Tight Ends

Daniels was having a phenomenal season for both the Texans and his fantasy owners … How good has Davis been for the 49ers and now for Alex Smith? … Heath Miller, much to my surprise, is having a great fantasy season … Shiancoe had a good season last year for fantasy owners, so it is no surprise to see him in the top 12 especially with Brett Favre at quarterback … Where, oh where, has Jason Witten gone?

Top 12 Defenses/Special Teams

The Saints — that is right, the New Orleans Saints — are the best fantasy defense at midseason. Soak it in, Saints’ fans … A few other unusual suspects continue to linger among the best starting Ds in the league (Broncos, Bills, 49ers, Bengals) … Speaking of the Bills, how that unit remains in the top-12 despite all the injuries they have suffered is beyond me.

Top 12 Kickers

Any big surprises here? Kickers are kickers, after all.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

Marc did not hype up Michael Crabtree in this week’s rookie rankings so I will go ahead and do it for him real quick.

Kid is going to be a sick player.

Another weekend like the last two could vault him into the bottom half of these rankings next week. It would be nice if he could hook up with Alex Smith for a score. With the Titans coming to town, a defense that gives away passing  yards and touchdowns like Halloween candy, Crabs could be in for a big line.

Wide receivers continue to move up and down the rookie rankings as the position continues to be the most consistent skill position of all the rookies in this year’s class.

1. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos - Moreno continues to be consistent in the Broncos’ offense. He did not have many yards against the Ravens’ defense of old, but he did have a touchdown in his team’s first loss. The Broncos next game should not yield Moreno an increase in yardage. A date with the Steelers defense is on next and I hear she a’int easy.

2. Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings - Harvin reclaimed his seat atop the wide receiver rookie rankings. Harvin had five catches for 84 yards and a degree-of-difficulty score to help Brett Favre beat his former team for the second time this season. Harvin has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Vikings by contributing as a running back, receiver, and return man. Surely his fantasy owners are lobbying for return yards and return TDs to count toward his scoring.

3. Austin Collie, Wr, Colts - Collie chipped in with six catches for 66 yards last weekend against the 49ers and he has become a go-to receiver for Peyton Manning in the red zone. Collie’s sure hands makes him a favorite target for Manning and he has passed Garcon as the third option in the Colts’ high-powered offense.

4. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants - Nicks did not find the endzone in the team’s loss to the Eagles, but he did make four receptions for 53 yards. Eli Manning has been struggling and Nicks could benefit because of his size. Nicks’ size makes him the top target for Manning in the redzone.

5. Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets - Sanchez and the Jets lost to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but you cannot blame him for this one. He finished with 265 yards passing and three total touchdowns. Sanchez has bounced back nicely since his rough patch a few weeks ago.

Last Week’s Rookie Rankings:

1. Knowshon Moreno
2. Austin Collie
3. Percy Harvin
4. Hakeem Nicks
5. Mark Sanchez

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

Hard to believe it is already week 9 of the 2009 NFL season. Even harder to believe, in some respects, how Kurt Warner and Brandon Jacobs have struggled at times this season for fantasy owners.

Warner turned the ball over six times last weekend against Carolina, just one week after dismantling the Giants on the road. It was as perplexing a performance as any this season.

Jacobs, meanwhile, has just two touchdown runs to his credit this year. Three double-digit performances in standard-scoring fantasy leagues. Not exactly the type of production fantasy owners expected from a player called the best short-yardage running back in the NFL.

Stay hopeful, fantasy owners. Both of these players should bounce back this weekend against a pair of susceptible defenses. More start and sit advice below after a few quick injury updates.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: Johnson appears to be getting closer to playing football again after missing most of the last three contests with a knee injury. However, he does appear to be a dreaded game-time decision this weekend. If he plays, fantasy owners need to start him.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers: A-Rod did not practice on Thursday and appeared to be hobbling significantly after Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. The Packers are having trouble keeping hits off Rodgers this year, leading to some bumps and bruises for the young QB. He is expected to return to practice today and should start in a favorable match-up this weekend.

Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Another potential game-time decision for Detroit. Smith, dealing with a nagging shoulder injury, was limited in practice yesterday. Head coach Jim Schwartz indicated earlier this week that he is in no danger of losing the starting job to Maurice Morris after Morris’ increased role last weekend, but he will continue to lose touches if struggling with injury.

Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals: Look, I own Boldin in a dynasty league and need him to play as much as the next guy. But he really, really needs to sit one out. Better for him to get healthy and enjoy normal production then to play hurt and be limited. It appears that Boldin might actually sit out this week, which could be a good thing for his owners down the stretch.

Start ‘em

Quarterbacks

Kurt Warner @ Bears
No way he turns the ball over six times again, right?!? Probably not against the over-rated Bears’ defense.

David Garrard v. Chiefs
All Jags play much better at home than on the road. Nice match-up this weekend of which fantasy owners should take advantage.

Running Backs

Joseph Addai v. Texans
Donald Brown may be back in the fold but Addai will be relied upon in a crucial AFC South battle.

Brandon Jacobs v. Chargers
Like Warner, Jacobs has been held in check in recent weeks but may be primed for a break-out game.

Wide Receivers

Donald Driver @ Buccaneers
The old man is a buyable commodity on the fantasy trade market but the price might go up after this tasty match-up.

Steve Breaston @ Bears
Anquan Boldin’s status is in jeopardy — surprise! — again. Breaston is healthier than Boldin and should get the start.

Tight End

Jeremy Shockey v. Panthers
Welcome back to fantasy relevance. Shockey has become a consistent target for both his fantasy owners and Drew Brees.

Sit ‘em

Quarterbacks

Kyle Orton v. Steelers
Something about this match-up scares me, especially after Orton and the Broncos struggled on the road in Baltimore.

Eli Manning v. Chargers
Tough to sit Manning if you drafted him to be your starter, but neither he nor the Giants’ offense have played well of late.

Running Backs

Clinton Portis @ Falcons
There are few players worth starting on the Redskins these days. Portis usually is one of those players but Washington should not be in this game on the road.

Mike Bell v. Panthers
Bell put one on the turf late in the game against Atlanta last week and, frankly, Pierre Thomas was the better running back overall.

Wide Receivers

Miles Austin @ Eagles
Crazy, right? But Austin goes as Tony Romo goes, and that has not been so well on the road in Philly in recent memory.

Jeremy Maclin v. Cowboys
The up-and-downs of rookie receivers. Maclin is due for another down week before.

Tight End

Greg Olsen v. Cardinals
Has any tight end not named Jason Witten been more frustrating this season than Greg Olsen? I thought Jay Cutler loved throwing to his tight ends.

For more great fantasy roster advice this week, including a plethora of Start & Sit links and consensus rankings, head over to the Fantasy Football Librarian. Don’t forget to grab your library card.

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Fantasy owners know who these guys are at this point.

But when it comes to name recognition, these players did not necessarily have it in terms of fantasy football before the start of this season. Names like LaDainian Tomlinson, Matt Forte and Brian Westbrook jump off the pages of fantasy football magazines. Before the start of the 2009 season, Steve Smith of the Giants was known only as the other Steve Smith.

And now, he is the Steve Smith to own in fantasy leagues.

Six players mostly unbeknownst to the fantasy public earlier this year have established themselves as legitimate fantasy presences this season. A few of these players even have long-term value for those in keeper and/or dynasty leagues.

If the price is right, now is the time to stock up on some of this explosive fantasy talent. Especially with the fantasy playoffs right around the corner.

Ray Rice, RB, Ravens

Clearly, Rice has become the featured running back in the Baltimore offense He has come a long, long way from being one of the most undervalued running backs in fantasy mock drafts this summer.

Rice has kicked touchdown vulture Willis McGahee to the curb, catapulting his fantasy value into the upper echelon of fantasy running backs. But can he continue to handle a full work load?

The Ravens are counting on him to do so. Fantasy owners, too.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Bengals (9), Browns (10), Lions (14), Bears (15)
Potential Beasts: Steelers (12), Steelers (16)

Really, is anyone scared to have their fantasy studs face the Steelers these days? Rice should have service-able numbers against any tough defense he faces going forward because of his ability in the passing game.

Buy if you can. Rice was just traded in my competitive keeper league along with Jason Witten for Miles Austin and Darren Sproles. He is attainable for a pretty fair value, as you can see, which is surprising considering how good he has been for fantasy purposes.

Steve Smith, WR, Giants

Yes, the Giants’ passing game has stumbled recently and the defense is getting run over by the opposition. If anything, the lack of defense in New York is good news for Smith as the Giants figure to be playing keep up with opponents going forward.

Of all Eli Manning’s targets, Smith remains the No. 1 option despite a few recent down weeks. Expect the G-men to re-emphasize his presence in the coming weeks.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Falcons (11), Cowboys (13), Redskins (15)
Potential Beasts: Broncos (12), Eagles (14)

Smith’s schedule the rest of the way is hit or miss. But the Giants do figure to face some adversity going forward, which could lead to some shoot-outs.

Granted, Smith put up big numbers — like the rest of the Giants’ offense — against vastly inferior opponents earlier this season. He needs to re-establish himself as the play-maker in the offense.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers

Mendenhall took over for an ailing Willie Parker earlier this season and has yet to relinquish the reins to the starting job. He took advantage of a few soft defenses but now must prove he can continue to perform down the stretch.

Parker and Mewelde Moore could start eating into Mendenhall’s touches if he falters. Ball control and pass protection have been an issue in the past.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Bengals (10), Chiefs (11), Raiders (13), Browns (14)
Potential Beasts: None

Perhaps fortunate for Mendenhall, the schedule down the stretch is not all that frightening. In fact, an injury of his own — ironic as it would be — might be the only thing that could derail Mendenhall’s second half.

Try selling an underperforming big name in a package deal that includes Mendenhall.

Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jaguars

Sims-Walker and the rest of the Jaguars’ passing game could not take advantage of the Titans’ secondary last weekend, which seemed like the first time any team could not take advantage of Tennessee’s beleaguered crew.

A disturbing theme developing in Jacksonville: Poor fantasy performances for most of the offense on the road. Just peep Sims-Walker’s numbers for proof.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Chiefs (9), 49ers (12), Dolphins (14), Browns (17)
Potential Beasts: Jets (10)

At this point, Sims-Walker may only be start-able when Jacksonville plays at home. If the Jags can show some life on the road, however, he does have some decent plays down the stretch.

Wide receiver needy fantasy owners should be able to buy relatively low on Sims-Walker after a down week. He has decent upside after a few stellar showing earlier this season.

Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens

Ray Rice is not the only fantasy star — and second-year NFL player — on the rise in Baltimore.

Flacco has established himself as a QB1 in fantasy leagues at the mid-way point of the NFL season. For where he was being drafted in fantasy drafts this summer, Flacco is in the running for fantasy steal of the year.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Bengals (9), Browns (10), Packers (13), Lions (14), Bears (15), Raiders (17)
Potential Beasts: Colts (11), Steelers (12), Steelers (16)

The Colts have one of the stingier pass defenses in the league but if that is as tough as Flacco’s second half is, talk about a great setup for Flacco owners.

Be aggressive in pursuit of Flacco. His owners likely will not give him up easily but he may be riding the pine on a Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Drew Brees owners’ bench.

Donald Driver, WR, Packers

Greg Jennings was fawned over by fantasy owners all offseason but Driver has stolen his thunder to date this year. Now Jennings finds himself on time-t0-sell lists while Driver is a buyable commodity.

The ole’ veteran has been around for a long time and continues to get the job done, even when fantasy experts think the game may have passed him.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Buccaneers (9), Cowboys (10), 49ers (11), Lions (12), Bears (14), Seahawks (16), Cardinals (17)
Potential Beasts: Steelers (15)

Talk about a set up for the Packers’ passing game. Jennings could be sold for a great price right now after a good weekend against Minnesota, but fantasy owners would not be wrong to hold onto him.

Driver, meanwhile, needs to find his way into fantasy starting lineups. He could be buried on some owner’s bench. Save Driver from the fantasy abyss before the favorable schedule kicks in, which is this weekend.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

The starting roster scramble is about to begin in earnest for fantasy football owners.

With more teams observing bye weeks of the 2009 NFL regular season this weekend, fantasy owners will spend precious team management time plugging holes in rosters left by idle players.

Complicating matters for several owners are injuries to both starting fantasy players and those on the bench. Those in an extreme pinch will need to seek salvation from the waiver wire in order to make it through the weekend.

Let the hysteria begin.

There is hope, however. Many a fantasy owner has had to strategically manipulate the waiver wire to find the perfect plug-and-play starter over the years. We all have been there.

Usually it happens with the least carried positions on fantasy rosters: Tight ends, kickers and defenses. However, those with rosters decimated by injuries will need more than a one-week stop gap at the least valuable fantasy positions.

Scouring the waiver wire for the right plug-and-play is risky business, but there are several players who could fit the bill this weekend.

Week 9 Byes

Potential Week 9 Plug-and-Plays

The players listed below are unowned in a majority of fantasy football leagues and have favorable match-ups in week 9. Any one of these guys is worth a start this weekend for an in-need fantasy football owner.

Quarterbacks

Alex Smith, 49ers (v. Titans)
In a battle of two quarterbacks who have received yet another chance, Smith actually is starting to look like a real NFL quarterback.

David Garrard, Jaguars (v. Chiefs)
Jags at home are safer play than Jags on the road. Garrard should dice up the Chiefs.

Running Backs

Julius Jones, Seahawks (v. Lions)
If a frustrated owner cut the dead weight, Jones could spring to life for one week.

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (@ Jaguars)
A sexy play this weekend in his chance to steal the starting job from Larry Johnson for good. Nice match-up, too.

Wide Receivers

Malcom Floyd, Chargers (@ Giants)
Everyone and their mom is slicing up the Giants’ secondary these days. The new starter in San Diego should get in for six.

Steve Breaston, Cardinals (@ Bears)
Anquan Boldin is banged up, maybe too much to play this time. Breaston fills in nicely.

Tight Ends

Fred Davis, Redskins (@ Falcons)
Another sexy waiver wire add ready to start for fantasy owners. The Falcons do give it up to the tight end.

Martellus Bennett, Cowboys (@ Eagles)
Almost no one gives it up to the tight end, however, more than the Eagles. And since Jason Witten has disappeared, perhaps Bennett will get in for a score.

Kickers

Jason Elam, Falcons (v. Redskins)
As bad as Washington has been, the defense is respectable. Could keep the Falcons out of the endzone but not off the scoreboard.

Defense/Special Teams

Falcons (v. Redskins)
The offense, meanwhile, has been un-respectable. The Falcons brought pressure on Drew Brees and made some plays, imagine the possibilities against Jason Campbell.

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It is Dallas week in Philadelphia and all hands are on deck.

After missing last weekend’s game because of a head injury he suffered two weeks ago, Brian Westbrook has been cleared to play by the Eagles medical staff for this weekend’s game against the Cowboys. LeSean McCoy started in Westbrook’s stead last weekend.

Both Westbrook and McCoy should get a fair amount of work this weekend. Westy will resume the starting role if he is, indeed, active on gameday. All signs point to him playing this weekend and the match-up is decent for fantasy owners. Philly usually brings it against Dallas.

Meanwhile, McCoy’s performance in Westbrook’s stead — although it took a late 66-yard touchdown run to salvage any fantasy value — warrants more playing time for the rookie going forward. If for no other reason, using a running-back-by-committee in Philadelphia more often could keep some hits off Westbrook.

Here are today’s great reads:

• There still is time to vote for your favorite fantasy football websites in the Librarian’s 1st Annual Reader’s Choice Awards. [The Hazean]
• It is Reggie Wayne’s world. The rest of the wide receivers in the league are just paying rent. 20 ridiculous targets on Sunday! [Roto Arcade]
• More target report highlights from week 8. Expect Kevin Walter to get increased looks in Houston now that Owen Daniels is out for the year. [Pancake Blocks]
• After a three-touchdown performance last weekend, Ryan Moats officially became the most added player in a single week in fantasy leagues so far this season. [FanHouse]
• Looking ahead to some favorable fantasy football playoff match-ups. Things, as always, look rosy on paper for Drew Brees. [Bruno Boys]
• Maurice Morris received a lot of work in the backfield against the Rams last weekend but he is not taking the job from Kevin Smith. [ProFootballTalk]

If you are a Tweeter, follow The Hazean on Twitter. If it is a good chuckle you desire, check out The Hazean’s Facebook page. Remember to follow (Twitter) and become a fan (Facebook) of The Hazean on both popular social networking sites.

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No fantasy football acronym has caused so much frustration among fantasy owners in recent years than the one for running-back-by-committees. What a dirty four-letter acronym it is.

Fantasy owners averted the early RBBC’s at almost any cost. But as more NFL teams began to employ the tactic — it is a copycat league, after all — fantasy owners were forced to accept the RBBC.

And, to be fair, it has been pretty lucrative.

Because of the rampant RBBCs across the league, quality running backs run deep. Fantasy drafts this summer had one of the deepest talent-rich classes of running backs in recent memory.

Hard to complain about an abundance of running backs if you play fantasy football.

Not all running-back-by-committees are assembled in the offseason, training camps and/or preseason games, however. Sometimes it takes an in-season opportunity for a RBBC to crop up, like the three below did in week 8.

Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats & Chris Brown, Texans

Slaton and Brown became a familiar tandem for fantasy owners earlier this season, but Moats decided to crash the party — hard — with a three-touchdown performance last Sunday.

So what happens now in Houston?

Slaton likely will get the rock back as the starter until he coughs it up again. He simply is too talented and explosive not to be on the field. Houston can get away with that against Buffalo, but not against teams like Indianapolis.

Brown should see goal-line and short-yardage duties per the usual. Moats deserves some playing time after his display in Buffalo, but it is going to take an injury or continued fumble-itis for Moats to become fantasy trustworthy.

Kevin Smith & Maurice Morris, Lions

Smith continues to deal with injury issues. It may not be fair to question his durability given that he runs behind the Lions’ offensive line, but his bumps and bruises have opened the door for the veteran Morris.

Sure, it was against St. Louis, but Morris had a better day on the ground (14 for 63) than Smith (16 for 45). Smith is too talented in the receiving game to see less time on the field than Morris, but Morris likely will see more time in the rotation in an effort to shield Smith from some hits.

Brian Westbrook & LeSean McCoy, Eagles

It took a 66-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter for McCoy to deliver a solid fantasy performance in Westbrook’s stead on Sunday against the Giants.

But his near-insignificance in the game was not necessarily a result of his ineptitude but that of the Giants’ secondary. Donovan McNabb took to the skies early and often, throwing for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

McCoy is too talented not to see the field at this point. If the Eagles are going to keep Westbrook healthy for the playoff push, McCoy should start to see more touches per game even when Westy returns to the starting lineup.

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Of Andre and Calvin, the former seemed more likely to miss last weekend’s game than the latter.

But Andre suited up for the Texans on Sunday against Buffalo while Calvin, coming off a bye week, was unable to make the active roster for Detroit in a tasty match-up against St. Louis. Point, Andre.

Megatron is getting closer to seeing the field on game day according to his head coach, but getting closer is not good enough for his fantasy owners. Not having a WR1 in the lineup during non-idle weeks is a crushing blow to fantasy rosters, especially now during the playoff push.

Keep an eye on Calvin’s practice participation today, tomorrow and Friday. If he can shed a questionable label and/or practice in non-limited fashion, his chances of starting this Sunday will improve drastically.

Here are today’s great reads:

• More self-promotion: Remember to head over to the Librarian and vote for The Hazean in the reader’s choice awards! [Fantasy Football Librarian]
• More waiver wire love for Ryan Moats but also for Chargers’ receiver Malcom Floyd, who recently became a starter opposite Vincent Jackson. [Fantasy Football Fools]
• In case you were not sure, Maurice Jones-Drew is a really good start this weekend against Kansas City. Other useful running back rankings for week 9 as well. [Bruno Boys]
• Michael Crabtree has become the No. 1 target in San Francisco after only two weeks of football. He might actually be lucky the Raiders decided to pass on him in the first round. [Sports Data Hub]
• Win a $50 NFL.com gift card simply by choosing the top scoring quarterback for week 9. [The Fantasy Football Geek Blog]

If you are a Tweeter, follow The Hazean on Twitter. If it is a good chuckle you desire, check out The Hazean’s Facebook page. Remember to follow (Twitter) and become a fan (Facebook) of The Hazean on both popular social networking sites.

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Who Dat?!

The New Orleans Saints have done it all this season.  They have blow-out victories, come-from-behind wins and even pulled it off last night in a close, physical contest against Atlanta. That is right, after a 7-0 start, the Saints are the front runner to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year.

Somebody pinch me.

Speaking of the Saints, was the outcome of anyone’s fantasy game determined last night?  I know that  in our competitive keeper league at least two games were decided by last night’s results.  In fact, one game was decided in the waning minutes of the game when Darren Sharper picked off Matt Ryan to seal Atlanta’s fate. Exciting!

Enough about the Saints, here are a few guys who could help fantasy owners take their records from middle of the road to king of the hill:

Ryan Moats [RB, Houston Texans] - A slow start for Steve Slaton and a costly fumble opened the doors for the Moats, AKA The Human Pinball Machine.  Moats carried the ball 23 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns against the Bills.  Now I am not going to say that Moats is the clear-cut starter from here on out, but do not be surprised to se him post serviceable fantasy numbers in the weeks to come.  If anything, the Texans will more than likely employ a dreaded RBBC.  NOOOOO!!!!!!!

Vince Young [QB, Tennessee Titans] - With Young starting this past week, I think that it is safe to say that the Titans are putting their eggs in Young’s basket.  His numbers were not spectacular this past weekend, but they would not have lost you any games either.  No turnovers, a TD, and 30 rushing yards is what Young produced on Sunday, and I feel like that is a good representation of what Young will consistently produce on a week-to-week basis.

Dustin Keller [TE, New York Jets] - With the injury to Owen Daniels, there will be at least one team frantically searching the wire for a TE in every fantasy league this week.  Look no further than Keller.  Keller was last seen hauling in 76 yards and a touchdown against Miami.  He is not the most consistent fantasy player, but when the Jets offense is clicking so is this guy.

Seattle Seahawks [Defense] - This is purely a matchup play, and the recommendation to add them is only to fill in for a bye team or if your regular team’s defense is not in a favorable matchup.  The Seahawks are playing at home this week against the woeful Detroit Lions.  Enough said, start them with confidence.

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