My Jermichael Finley Blog

I've published 32 of my fantasy football picks for quarterbacks. These are top 5 picks. If you are new to fantasy football, this is a place to start your own quarterback rankings list. These may change as the year progresses.

1. Drew Brees/Saints

- The Super Bowl MVP should again have a big year in 2010. A big key to his success could be the re-signing of RB Pierre Thomas. Although RB Reggie Bush has shown improvement in the running game, he is still a much deadlier pass catcher than runner. Thomas adds the threat of a running game, which can take some pressure off of Brees on early downs. With the emergence of Robert Meachem at WR along with Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and TE's Jeremy Shockey, David Thomas, and rookie Jimmy Graham, and a very good offensive line, Brees should once again be among the best fantasy players at his position.

2. Aaron Rodgers/Packers- With the team as a whole continually improving, Rodgers has the chance to put together another spectacular season. While the offensive line is adequate, it would be scary to see what kind of numbers Rodgers could put up with one of the better offensive lines in football. Jermichael Finley has the potential to become one of the top TE's in the NFL, and the presence of Donald Driver and Greg Jennings at WR makes Rodgers a fantasy force to be reckoned with.

3. Peyton Manning/Colts- Peyton is Peyton, and he proved his legacy is a strong one by again having an MVP type year and leading his team to the Super Bowl. He did it without the great Marvin Harrison and his "replacement" Anthony Gonzalez being injured for the entire season. With WR Austin Collie coming off an excellent rookie season and WR Pierre Garcon continuing to improve, there is no reason to think that Manning will not have a stellar season again in 2010. WR Reggie Wayne is still one of the top WR's in the league, and TE Dallas Clark should again be one of the top 3 TE's, adding more certainty to the fact that Manning will be one of the top fantasy QB's taken this season.

4. Philip Rivers/Chargers- Rivers' success will depend a lot on the re-signing of WR's Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd, who both remain unsigned at the moment. Not that Floyd has proven to be a great receiver, but he's the best they have next to the ever improving Vincent Jackson. Jackson showed last year he could be one of the top WR's in the NFL, but without him Rivers' WR's would be Legedu Naanee' and Craig Davis or rookie free agent Seyi Ajirotutu. Antonio Gates is still a monster at TE, and rookie Dedrick Epps may get some looks at the 2nd TE, with Darren Sproles and rookie Ryan Matthews also catching some passes out of the backfield, but without Jackson and Floyd you can't expect Rivers to put up the numbers he has been. Keep an eye on this situation, as Rivers may move down if these guys, especially Jackson, decide they won't re-sign.

5. Tom Brady/Patriots- While Brady may not be worthy of one of the top 3 spots anymore, he is still one of the better fantasy QB's in the league. Randy Moss may not exactly give 100 percent on every play, but he is still one of the top 5 WR's in the game. Wes Welker's injury is not as bad as it was originally thought, and they added rookie Taylor Price and veteran Torry Holt to their receiving corps as well, meaning they should be better or at least just as good as last year. RB Kevin Faulk is also a reliable receiver and the combination of ex-Falcon/Titan Alge Crumpler and rookies Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez at TE also means that there will be some passes thrown to that position. With one of the top 10 offensive lines in football, there's no reason to believe that Brady will not be a top five QB again in 2010.

So there you have it. On half of my complete fantasy football picks for quarterbacks.

Depending on how strong the rest of your team is you could likely win a championship with the top 16, but to find out the complete list you need to check out my complete list of 32 fantasy football picks for Quarterback position. Feel free to start your own fantasy football cheatsheet with this list. Keep up on any updates to my fantasy football rankings and picks at http://JohnnyNFL.com

The Bears and the Packers are two of the few teams left with 2-0 records. With two high-powered offenses run by Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler respectively, Monday night at Soldier Field has the makings of a classic NFC North shootout.

Packers on Offense

After the Packers saw Ryan Grant go down for the year in their season opener, they knew their balanced attack would suffer a blow. So while Green Bay's backfield barely made a dent against the Bills last week (65 total yds between Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn), Aaron Rodgers took matters into his own hands and threw for 255 yds and 2 TDs. This week could be similar for Rodgers and his receivers, especially after Chicago's run defense made the Cowboys's 3-headed ground game dwindle like Wade Phillips's job security. Rodgers will step into Soldier Field's hostile environment calm and collected. He'll look to pick on CB Charles Tillman, who seems to get beat often these days. But Green Bay's most valuable receiver on Monday might not be Donald Driver or Greg Jennings, but Jermichael Finley. The young beast of a TE is a mismatch nightmare down the middle; too fast for a LB, too big for a safety. The Bears will use their speed to exploit Green Bay's O-line and get to Rodgers. They'll try to get a spark from their big playmakers like Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers.

Bears on Offense

In this day and age, Martzism takes the form of the Chicago Bears's new run 'n gun offense. Mike Martz has found the man to channel his revolution- the often questionable, unconventional Jay Cutler. Cutler and Martz have seemed to breathe new life into the Bears's attack. Matt Forte has been able to hurdle his sophomore slump with two dynamic back-to-back games. What's more impressive has been Cutler's ability to spread the ball get production out of a seemingly weak receiving corps. Cutler will look to keep up the momentum at Soldier Field with his cannon of an arm- the Bears had 3 plays through the air for 38 yds or more last week. Chicago's receivers will use their speed to get behind the Packers's secondary. But while Cutler tries to thread the needle to Johnny Knox and Devin Hester, he should be wary of FS Nick Collins and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson. Another guy he has to watch out for is Clay Matthews, who seems to be dishing out concussions like the Cowboys have been handing out wins. This is where his midrange weapons come in for quick releases, namely Matt Forte and Greg Olsen.

Monday night's matchup will be an explosive high-risk/high-reward shootout. Unfortunately for the Bears, their signal-caller is a bit riskier than Green Bay's.

SuperPrediction

Green Bay 30

Chicago 24

Asaf Winer is a sports journalist who freelances for sports predictions websites. He is considered a sports expert in football predictions and posts his free NFL predictions in many online forums. You can also see his weekly NFL picks at Superpredictors.com, where last year he was ranked the top predictor for the 2009-2010 NFL Season.

The Green Bay Packers were one of the surprise teams in 2009, as they went from winning just six games in 2008 to finishing 11-5 and a second place finish behind the Vikings in the NFC North. The Packers earned a spot in the postseason as one of the wild card teams, but were one and done after suffering a tough loss to the Cardinals in a 51-45 overtime thriller. The Packers head into the 2010 season with a ton of confidence, but for this team to take over the North they have to find a way to beat the Vikings, who they lost to in both games last season. Here is a quick preview of the 2010 Green Bay Packers and my prediction on where they finish the season in the NFC North.

Offense: After letting Brett Favre leave town everyone questioned whether or not Rodgers was going to have what it takes to keep this team in contention, and while things didn't go so well in his first season as a starter, Rodgers emerged as one of the elite quarterbacks in this league after his performance in 2009. Rodgers threw for 4,434 yards with 30 touchdown passes to just 7 interceptions, and was very productive scrambling out of the pocket, rushing for 316 yards and five scores.

With the offense focused around the passing game, running back Ryan Grant still put together a pretty solid season rushing for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns, and I don't think there will be any complaints if he can duplicate that performance in 2010. The Packers drafted James Starks in the sixth round of the draft to give Brandon Jackson some competition for the leading backup role.

At wide receiver the Packers have a ton of weapons for Rodgers to throw to, led by wide outs Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, who both surpassed the 1,000 yard receiving mark in 2009. I look for Jennings to put up even bigger numbers as he has also emerged into one of the top players at his positions. I also look for another big season out of tight end Jermichael Finley, who was pretty impressive in his second season with the team grabbing 55 passes for 676 yards and five touchdowns.

The offensive line had its ups and downs in 2009, but a lot of that had to do with injuries at the tackle positions. The Packers are hoping left tackle Chad Clifton and right tackle Mark Tauscher can stay healthy this season, as they combined to miss 12 games in 2009. The Packers did select Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga with their first round pick, and he figures to be able to step in at either tackle spot if needed.

Defense: The Packers will be without starting defensive end Johnny Jolly for the entire season, as he was suspended for the year after suffering felony charges this offseason. While the loss hurts, I don't think it will be all that bad with B.J. Raji taking over the vacated spot. Raji struggled in his rookie season, but that is expected out of first year 3-4 defensive lineman. Ryan Pickett is the anchor at nose tackle, and he needs to stay healthy after only starting 9 games in 2009.

At linebacker the Packers decided not to bring back Aaron Kampman, who missed six games in 2009 with a torn ACL. That leaves the door open for Brad Jones, who played well filling in for Kampman last season. The Packers love what they got out of rookie outside linebacker Clay Matthews in 2009, as he led the team with 10 sacks last season, and figures to improve on that total this season. Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk are back as the two starters on the inside.

In the secondary the Packers have to very solid veteran starters at corner in Al Harris and Charles Woodson, but both are entering their 13th season in the NFL and you have to wonder just how much these guys have left in the tank. Harris played in just 10 games in 2009, while Woodson was outstanding with nine interceptions and four forced fumbles. At safety the Packers are hoping Atari Bigby will be able to hold down the strong safety position, but he hasn't played a full season since 2007. Look for rookie Morgan Burnett to push for the starting job in training camp. Nick Collins is back at free safety and is coming off an impressive six interception season for the Packers.

Prediction - 2nd NFC North: Just where the Packers finish the 2010 season in the North depends on whether or not Brett Favre comes back in Minnesota, as the Packers would quickly jump into the top spot if Favre decided to retire. Either way I believe this team is headed back to the postseason and has a great shot at making a run at the Super Bowl.

If you plan on betting the NFL this season be sure to check out our live NFL odds feed each and every week, ensuring you the best odds for every game. For a more complete look at the upcoming season, check out our 2010 NFL predictions.

Interested in the Green Bay Packers? The Green Bay Packers will be playing their 90th season in 2008, and if 2007 was any indication, the Packers are on a roll. They finished their season 13-3, scoring one of the best records of the year and advanced to the playoffs, eventually losing to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. This will be the first season without beloved quarterback Brett Favre, who retired last year. There have been some notable departures from the team in addition to Favre, including Koren Robinson, Bubba Franks and Rob Davis. Head coach Mike McCarthy is hoping what was once lost will now be found thanks to some solid 2008 NFL Draft picks.

The Packers traded their number one pick to the New York Jets in exchange for two addition picks later on. Their second pick was wide receiver Jordy Nelson of Kansas State, followed by quarterback Brian Brohm of Louisville and cornerback Patrick Lee of Auburn. During the second day, the team chose Jermichael Finley of Texas. For the fourth round the Packers traded two more picks to the New York Jets for pick 4-102. What is the strategy? So they could draft defensive end Jeremy Thompson of Wake Forest. They traded a few more early picks for dual picks and ended up drafting offensive guard Josh Sitton of Central Florida and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini of Louisville. They rounded out the list (nine total players) by selecting quarterback Matt Flynn of LSU and wide receiver Brett Swain of San Diego State. (What happened to that last draft pick? They're saving it for 2009-maybe they know something we don't?)

What was the reaction by experts and Packers fans? Fans are dedicated to the Packers and Mike McCarthy in particular, since he has done a tremendous job of rebuilding the once laughable Green Bay Packers of the 70s, 80s and 90s, into a 2000 championship contender. Unlike other successful teams that concentrate on polishing up an already bulging roster, the Packers take a lot of risks in signing new talent. This is evident again in 2008, as the Packers have chosen nine players. Many experts question whether this is an example of quantity over quality. However, others defend the Packers stating that with the departure of Favre, the team was essentially exploring new territory and needed all the help they could get.

Jordy Nelson came as a bit of a surprise, especially since the Packers already have several starting wide receivers they are quite proud of. However, Nelson has received rave reviews for his speed and great hands. As a rookie, don't expect Nelson to out-show Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, who are already reliable starters. Nelson received enthusiastic albeit restrained praise, while quarterback Brian Brohm received more of an unfriendly welcome. Brohm was considered by some to be a reach and one infringing upon Aaron Rodgers' position. Patrick Lee was actually the favorite of some experts, since the cornerback position was actually a need, and the first two drafts could be argued as luxury picks. All in all, Green Bay fans wait nervously to see if these risky picks will take Green Bay over the edge to Super Bowl success or keep that at a second best level for a few more years.

1st Round (#23) OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa

Key Player(s) Passed On: CB Devin McCourty, DE/OLB Jerry Hughes

Analysis: Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are both old and declining at left and right tackle. Bulaga has good feet and understands the importance of technique and working on his craft. He has an excellent chance to be a good left tackle with more strength work. The former Iowa standout represented value as a late 1st round selection. Green Bay needed to get younger at offensive tackle. Clifton and Tauscher may have another year in them. Bulaga can spend his rookie year getting stronger and adjusting to the NFL. Ideally, Bulaga will be ready to start in 2011 at left tackle. The Packers also could have used another pass rusher at outside linebacker to complement Clay Matthews. Jerry Hughes was an attractive option, but you cannot risk getting Aaron Rodgers hurt due to subpar offensive line play. Green Bay had to have been pleased that Bryan Bulaga was still available.

2nd Round (#56) DT Mike Neal, Purdue

Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Golden Tate, OT/OG Vladimir Ducasse

Analysis: Neal has talent (good size, strength and quickness), but never put it all together on the field for Purdue. Green Bay views him as a defensive end in their scheme. The Packers could use more depth on their defensive line with Justin Harrell's inability to stay healthy. PFDN had Golden Tate and Vladimir Ducasse rated higher than Neal. The Packers have wide receivers, but Donald Driver is 35 and cannot play forever. Ducasse would have given the Packers a powerful guard with substantial upside who also may be able to play right tackle. Neal has to improve his conditioning and his dedication to the game to justify the 2nd round selection.

3rd Round (#71) S Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech

Key Player(s) Passed On: S Chad Jones

Analysis: Burnett represented excellent value in the 3rd round. He has a knack for making plays on the ball and is a willing hitter. Burnett can play strong safety. Atari Bigby has had his share of injuries the past two seasons. Burnett will provide serious competition for Bigby and is a likely future starter. Chad Jones also has a lot of upside, but the Pack preferred that Burnett had more starts and production in college.

5th Round (#154) TE Andrew Quarless, Penn State

Key Player(s) Passed On: DT Arthur Jones

Analysis: Quarless had some issues with alcohol in college, but he is a very talented tight end. He was an excellent selection in the 5th round. Quarless can block and catch the ball and represents little risk this late in the draft. He could be a fine complement to Jermichael Finley and an upgrade over Donald Lee and Spencer Havner. We also liked the potential of Arthur Jones as a 3-4 defensive end, but the Quarless pick made sense and could be a steal.

5th Round (#169) OT Marshall Newhouse, TCU

Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Jonathan Dwyer

Analysis: Newhouse has to play more aggressively and gain strength to have a chance of developing into a solid backup offensive tackle. His overall conditioning level also has to go to another level. Dwyer is a big back with surprising speed who Green Bay could have used to backup Ryan Grant. Dwyer is the better prospect compared to Newhouse and is not as big of a project.

6th Round (#193) RB James Starks, Buffalo

Key Player (s) Passed On: RB Charles Scott, QB Tony Pike

Analysis: Starks missed his senior season recovering from shoulder surgery. He had a number of injuries at Buffalo and never averaged more than 4.9 yards per carry. Starks is tall and takes a lot of direct hits. The Pack need more depth behind Ryan Grant, but why not select Charles Scott? The former LSU back was not having a good senior season prior to breaking his collarbone, but he is built to be a downhill runner in the NFL. Scott also played against much better competition than Starks did. Tony Pike is tall and has a good arm. He could have been added to the quarterback mix and really challenged Matt Flynn for the backup quarterback position in a year or two. Pike has better physical tools than Flynn does.

7th Round (#230) DE C.J. Wilson, East Carolina

Key Player(s) Passed On: S Kurt Coleman

Analysis: Wilson is stout against the run and was productive at East Carolina. He will compete to be a backup 3-4 defensive end. He was a decent pick-up in the 7th round. Coleman has the toughness to help a team on special teams. However, Green Bay went with the bigger man and further depth along their defensive line.

Bottom Line: The Packers found a couple of likely long-term starters (Bryan Bulaga and Morgan Burnett). Mike Neal was their most questionable selection in our opinion. Green Bay did not find another pass rushing outside linebacker, quality backup running back or a young cornerback. Overall, the Packers had a slightly above average draft.

Grade: B-

The goal of ProFootballDraftNetwork.com is to cut through the clutter and identify in detail the draft's impact players, top values (where a team really succeeds on draft day) and biggest risks.

Our full-time, year-round analysis of game footage, discussions with coaches and trainers and live practice observations are the basis for our ratings and draft board. Talent evaluators must be thorough, but should always remember that this is more art than science. Good NFL player forecasting involves doing your homework and trusting your gut instincts.

For more NFL Draft Articles and NFL Draft Analysis, please visit us at http://www.profootballdraftnetwork.com

Five weeks into the season, there are clears haves and have-nots. That was made especially evident last week, when six of the 14 games played saw the winning teams conquer by at least 19 points. Week 6 of the season should be a bit more competitive, and ultimately a bit more enjoyable for football fans. Something that never lacks for excitement, however, are the 1-Week Frenzies offered by Rotoplay. And once again, we're here to attempt to help you put together the best line-up possible with our player rankings.

Quarterbacks 1

1) Tom Brady (vs. Tennessee): There isn't better match-up this week than Brady vs. the Titans. Tennessee has been miserable against the pass this season; they rank 31st in the NFL in both pass defense and passing touchdowns allowed. In four of the five games Tennessee has played this season, the opposing quarterback has thrown for at least 300 yards, and in three separate games, opposing signal-callers have tossed at least three scores.

2) Aaron Rodgers (vs. Detroit): No team has allowed more passing touchdowns this season than Detroit, who has given up multiple scores through the air in every game this year. Rodgers has his first 300-yard game before the team's bye last week, and has thrown for two touchdowns in two consecutive games.

3) Ben Roethlisberger (vs. Cleveland): Teams haven't put up fantastic passing numbers against the Browns because of how bad Cleveland is against the run. That said, they have still allowed 230 or more passing yards four times. Roethlisberger is playing very well, having completed at least 22 passes in every game this year.

4) Drew Brees (vs. NY Giants): Shockingly, Brees has gone two straight games having thrown for fewer than 200 yards without a touchdown. And it doesn't get any easier for him this week. It's hard not to recommend Brees, but the Giants have only allowed one passer to throw for more than 127 yards.

5) Matt Schaub (@ Cincinnati): Three times this season, Schaub has completed at least 25 passes for 300 or more yards and at least two scores. That doesn't seem likely to be the case this week. The Bengals are solid against the pass, as no opposing quarterback has thrown multiple touchdowns or for 300 yards in a game on them, and they haven't faced stiffs, either. Three of the five teams they've played are in the top-12 in the league in passing offense.

6) Philip Rivers (vs. Denver): The Broncos are currently fifth in the league against the pass, and are tied with Indianapolis for the fewest passing touchdowns given up. It should be noted, however, that in the six times Rivers has faced the Broncos since becoming San Diego's starting quarterback in 2006, he's thrown 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions, and has thrown multiple touchdowns in five of those games.

Quarterbacks 2

1) Kurt Warner (@ Seattle): Warner has only six touchdowns and four interceptions, but he has completed at least 26 passes and thrown for 285 yards three times in four games. Seattle is ninth in the league against the pass, but Warner lit them up last year, throwing for 395 yards in one game against them and four touchdown passes in his other.

2) Donovan McNabb (@ Oakland): McNabb threw for over 260 yards and three scores in what was his first full game of the season last week. Now, he plays his second full contest (hopefully) against the woeful Raiders, who are average, at best, in pass defense.

3) Jay Cutler (@ Atlanta): After his poor start in Week 1, Cutler has thrown for at least two scores in each of his last three contests. Still, though Atlanta is 22nd in the league in pass defense, they've allowed just three passing scores this season, which is third in the league.

4) Carson Palmer (vs. Houston): Houston is 16th in the league against the pass, but those numbers are skewed a bit considering the Texans have faced three teams ranked outside the top-20 in passing offense. Palmer has tossed just two picks in his last three contests, to go with four touchdowns. Still, he's thrown one score or fewer in three of his five games this year.

5) David Garrard (vs. St. Louis): The Rams haven't allowed a 300-yard passer yet this season, so they have that going for them. Still, they're not adept at stopping the pass, so Garrard is in line for a solid week, but is not a great option considering the company he's keeping in this group.

6) Eli Manning (@ New Orleans): Manning faces off against the Saints this week, and three of the four quarterbacks to go up against New Orleans have thrown for 205 yards or fewer with no touchdowns. They're 11th in the NFL in pass defense, but only two teams have allowed fewer passing scores. The Saints also lead the NFL with 10 interceptions and have held opponents' signal-callers to a league-low 51.3 QB Rating.

Quarterbacks 3

1) Joe Flacco (@ Minnesota): Flacco has thrown for a touchdown in each of Baltimore's games this season, and his 22 completions last week were the fourth time in five games he's completed that many throws. The Vikings defense can be thrown on, which was obvious to anyone who saw the Rams move the ball on them. Minnesota is 17th against the pass and 20th in passing scores allowed.

2) Brett Favre (vs. Baltimore): Only Cleveland's pathetic passing attack has failed to post solid passing numbers against the Ravens this season. Favre has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game this year, and three times has completed at least 23 passes.

3) Matt Ryan (vs. Chicago): The Bears have allowed just four passing touchdowns, which is sixth in the NFL, but they are 20th in the league in passing yards allowed. Ryan had a great day last week, with over 300 passing yards and two scores - the third time in four games he's thrown for multiple touchdowns.

4) Kyle Orton (@ San Diego): Orton has been merely solid all year; he's thrown a touchdown in every game, but threw for over 300 yards for the first time last week and has yet to throw more than two scores in a game and has completed over 20 passes just once. The Chargers are decent against the pass, but less so against the run, so expect Denver to concentrate on running the ball.

5) Jake Delhomme (@ Tampa Bay): The Buccaneers give up big plays left and right, and have allowed more passing scores than all but two teams, but Delhomme is far from trustworthy, and has not thrown for more than 1 touchdown in a game this year.

6) Derek Anderson (@ Pittsburgh): Hilariously - unless you're a Cleveland fan - Anderson completed just two passes last week. Two! Now he faces the Steelers and has pretty much nobody to throw to with Braylon Edwards gone. Do you really want him anywhere near your fantasy team?

Quarterbacks 4

1) Jason Campbell (vs. Kansas City): This is a very good match-up for Campbell, as the Chiefs are 29th in pass defense, and 28th in passing scores allowed. He has shown the ability to put up solid numbers against weak opponents, and should do so again this week.

2) Marc Bulger (@ Jacksonville): Bulger came in towards the end of the game last week and completed all seven of his passes, including one for a score. His match-up this week against the Jaguars' 30th-ranked pass defense is a good one, so if you're looking for a potential sleeper, Bulger may be it.

3) Matt Cassel (@ Washington): Cassel hasn't thrown an interception since Week 2, and he's thrown two touchdowns in each of his last three games. Yet it's important to note that he's thrown for fewer than 130 yards twice this season, and faces the Redskins' third-ranked pass defense this week.

4) Mark Sanchez (vs. Buffalo): Sanchez is an excellent game-manager, but as far as fantasy goes, there are simply too many statistical inadequacies in his game. He's completed fewer than 15 passes three times and has thrown more than one touchdown in a game just once.

5) Kerry Collins (@ New England): Collins was pulled from the Titans' game last week, and though he's starting again this week, he could go at any time, especially if the game turns into a blowout quickly. Use him at your own risk.

6) Trent Edwards (@ NY Jets): Edwards has one touchdown and five interceptions in his last three games, and faces a top-10 pass defense this week. Don't even bother with him.

Running Backs 1

1) Maurice Jones-Drew (vs. St. Louis): MJD did not have a good week against Seattle last Sunday, but that should be rectified this week against the Rams, who are 23rd in the NFL against the run and 26th in rushing scores allowed.

2) Matt Forte (@ Atlanta): Forte has an excellent match-up this week against a Falcons squad that is 24th in the NFL in run defense. He's caught five passes in two separate games this season, and with receptions being three points a pop, he's a good play.

3) DeAngelo Williams (@ Tampa Bay): The Bucs have only allowed three rushing scores because everyone scores against them throwing the ball. They're still 28th in the NFL against the run, and in Week 16 of last season, Williams ran for 186 yards and two scores against them.

4) Adrian Peterson (vs. Baltimore): All Day hasn't run for 100 yards since Week 1, and hasn't broken 70 yards in the last two weeks. Despite his obvious talents, the Ravens are fourth in the league against the run, and just last week let an opponent run for over 100 yards for the first time since 2006. It likely won't happen two weeks in a row.

5) Chris Johnson (@ New England): It's not Johnson's fault that Tennessee is as bad as they are, nor is it his fault that the Titans gave him just nine carries last week. No chance that will happen again, and he should be in store for a good day, even against the Patriots' solid run defense.

6) Steven Jackson (@ Jacksonville): Poor Jackson. He was so excited to finally score his first touchdown last week, he fumbled on a hand-off inside the five-yard line. If you can do without the scores, Jackson is a good play due to the touches he receives - at least 21 carries and multiple receptions in each of his last three games.

Running Backs 2

1) Rashard Mendenhall (vs. Cleveland): The only thing that might slow Mendenhall down this week is if Willie Parker, who is finally healthy, eats into his carries too much. Otherwise, this is a match-up to savor; the Browns are dead last in the NFL against the run, and have allowed more rushing scores than all but one team in the league.

2) Knowshon Moreno (@ San Diego): Moreno is clearly the man in the Denver backfield, with 21 rushes in two of his last three games. He's scored just once this year, but he's also caught six passes in those games, and has an excellent match-up against a San Diego team that is 27th in the NFL in run defense and 26th in rushing scores allowed.

3) Brian Westbrook (@ Oakland): Only two squads have allowed more rushing touchdowns than the Raiders, who are 31st in the league against the run. Westbrook is apparently fully healthy, but he's lost carries to second-round pick LeSean McCoy, and ended up toting the rock just six times last week.

4) Brandon Jacobs (@ New Orleans): Jacobs carried the ball 21 times for 67 yards last week as backfield mate Ahmad Bradshaw tore up the Raiders. Jacobs has a disappointing one touchdown this season, and has caught just four passes, severely hurting his value in this format.

5) Michael Turner (vs. Chicago): The problem with Turner is that he simply doesn't catch the ball - he has just one catch this season. And in this scoring format, that means he'd have to outrush another player in this group by 30 yards for each of their catches.

6) Steve Slaton (@ Cincinnati): Slaton continues to be one of the bigger disappointments in fantasy football this season. He's run for fewer than 40 yards in three of his five games this year, including last week, and now faces a Cincinnati defense that is 12th in the league in run defense and which has allowed just three rushing scores.

Running Backs 3

1) Cedric Benson (vs. Houston): Benson accomplished something last week nobody had done in two full seasons - run for 100 or more yards against the Ravens. This week, he faces Houston, which is 26th in run defense, and dead last in rushing scores allowed.

2) Kevin Smith (@ Green Bay): Green Bay has only allowed two scores on the ground, which is tied for fourth in the league, but they've also had two runners gain at least 100 yards against them in the four games they've played this year. Smith has added value due to the fact he's caught multiple passes in each game this year.

3) Pierre Thomas (vs. NY Giants): Thomas has performed well of late, running for at least 85 yards and a touchdown in two consecutive games. The Giants are excellent against the pass, but can be run on. They're 15th in the NFL in run defense, and only seven teams have allowed more rushing scores than they have.

4) Ryan Grant (vs. Detroit): Though Grant has carried the ball 16 or fewer times in three of his four games this season, his match-up here is a good one. Detroit has allowed a running back to gain at least 75 yards in four of the five games they've played on the year.

5) Clinton Portis (vs. Kansas City): Despite his nice match-up against the Chiefs, Portis is dealing with an ankle malady, and, like Jones, doesn't get enough touches compared to the rest of the players in this group.

6) Thomas Jones (vs. Buffalo): Yes, Jones scored twice last week, but he hasn't carried the ball more than 14 times since Week 1, and he's a non-factor in the passing game, killing his value in this format.

Running Backs 4

1) LaDainian Tomlinson (vs. Denver): The Broncos are sixth in the league in run defense, allowing just 81.0 yards per game (only one time has a runner even topped 70 yards against them), and have let opposing ball carriers cross the goal-line just twice. LT has been struggling to start the year, but he'll have a huge game sooner or later, and in this group of runners, is a good option.

2) Ray Rice (@ Minnesota): Rice's seven receptions last week marked the third game this season in which he's had at least five catches out of the backfield. He usually doesn't see more than 15 carries in a game, but three points per reception means his value is very high.

3) Cadillac Williams (vs. Carolina): Caddy ran the ball 10 times for, and this is not a typo, eight yards last week. It was the third time in five games he's run for fewer than 10 yards. Yes, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, but his history of all or nothing this year makes him a gamble, even against a pillow-soft Panthers run defense.

4) Fred Jackson (@ NY Jets): Marshawn Lynch is back, and he's the No. 1 runner in the Bills' backfield, severely hurting Jackson's fantasy value. Even if Lynch was not around, this is a poor match-up for Jackson.

5) Tim Hightower (@ Seattle): Hightower ran the ball just six times last week, which was the third time in four games he's had fewer than 10 carries in a game. With carries being worth one point in this scoring system, there are better options.

6) Jerome Harrison (@ Pittsburgh): Jamal Lewis returned last week, putting Harrison back into the No. 2 spot in the Cleveland backfield, though Lewis was limited in practice some this week. Still, there's no reason to use Harrison against the Steelers.

Wide Receivers 1

1) Randy Moss (vs. Tennessee): Moss has scored just one touchdown on the year, but this week, against a Titans pass defense that is softer than a 300-pound man's beer belly, he should go off. The Titans have allowed four different 100-yard receivers this season, and have allowed at least one wideout to gain at least 90 yards in every game.

2) Larry Fitzgerald (@ Seattle): Two more touchdowns for Fitzgerald last week gave him four in four games this season. Yet he also had fewer than 80 receiving yards once again, and hasn't broken that mark so far this year. Nonetheless, how do you not like a guy who had games of 151 and 130 receiving yards against the Seahawks last season?

3) Andre Johnson (@ Cincinnati): Though the Bengals have been fairly successful in stopping the pass overall, they have allowed opposing wideouts to come up big against them. Last week was the first time all season they didn't allow a receiver to gain at least 85 yards against them. That's about the least you should expect from Johnson.

4) Steve Smith (NYG) (@ New Orleans): Smith caught a season-low three passes last week, but still picked up 70 yards. It's hard to stay away from Smith, especially in this format due to the fact that receptions are worth so much, but the match-up isn't great, and only one wide receiver has caught more than six passes in a game against the Saints.

5) Anquan Boldin (@ Seattle): Boldin has been solid all season, but has only found the end zone one time - those looks are going to teammate Larry Fitzgerald. He's always going to put up some type of decent numbers, but there are better options in this group.

6) Marques Colston (vs. NY Giants): Only twice in five games has a wideout been the leading receiver in a game against the Giants, and one of the receivers had fewer than 30 yards to lead the team. This match-up is too difficult when you consider the other players in this group.

Wide Receivers 2

1) Steve Smith (CAR) (@ Tampa Bay): Only Jake Delhomme has held Smith back, but history says Smith will overcome to have a very good game this week. In two games against the Buccaneers last season, Smith had at least 110 receiving yards in each.

2) Brandon Marshall (@ San Diego): Marshall has four touchdown catches over his last three games, and though he has yet to gain 100 receiving yards in a contest this year, that's coming soon. In Week 2 of last season, Marshall had 18 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers.

3) Roddy White (vs. Chicago): White announced his presence with aplomb last week after being non-existent for the beginning of the season. He had 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week, and though he won't repeat that this week, he does have a decent match-up against the Bears.

4) Vincent Jackson (vs. Denver): Jackson hasn't caught more than six passes in any game, and he's also had a bye week, so the fact that he's sixth in the NFL in receiving yards says a lot. And though Denver is excellent against the pass, three different receivers have gained at least 85 yards on them in a game this year.

5) Chad Ochocinco (vs. Houston): The Ocho had a season-high seven grabs and 94 receiving yards last week, and has a decent match-up this week against the Texans. He's clearly Carson Palmer's No. 1 target, so there's every reason to expect him to have a solid game.

6) Calvin Johnson (@ Green Bay): Johnson is struggling with a knee injury, causing him to miss practice time. He'll likely be a game-time decision, so it's difficult to recommend him knowing that. If you simply must use him, check on Sunday to see if he's playing.

Wide Receivers 3

1) T.J. Houshmandzadeh (vs. Arizona): The Arizona Cardinals have been destroyed through the air, having allowed a wideout to gain at least 100 yards in three of their four games this season, and at least 70 yards in every game. Now that Matt Hasselbeck has returned, Houshmandzadeh will be a force.

2) Wes Welker (vs. Tennessee): Welker missed two games earlier in the season, then labored in his first contest upon his return, but he got back to doing his think last week in the Patriots' loss to Denver. He caught eight passes for 86 yards and one touchdown in the game, and with one of the league's worst pass defenses coming up, he's a great option.

3) Greg Jennings (vs. Detroit): With just five receptions over his last three games, Jennings has not been as involved in the Packers' offense as fantasy enthusiasts have hoped. This very well could be the game he goes off, however, as he has a good match-up with a Detroit team he burned for over 100 yards in both of his games against them last year.

4) Santana Moss (vs. Kansas City): Moss has had two games where he's made big plays, but the only problem here is, he doesn't catch the ball an awful lot. And though he could be in store for another solid contest considering the weak pass defense of the Chiefs, his lack of catches is something that needs to be considered.

5) Santonio Holmes (vs. Cleveland): Holmes has been very average since Week 1, and the Browns have actually held individual receivers down this season. Only one wideout has gotten more than 86 yards in a game against them.

6) DeSean Jackson (@ Oakland): One catch for one yard. That was the extent of Jackson's day last week. It was the second time in four games he had fewer than 10 receiving yards, and that inconsistency is a bit of a worry.

Wide Receivers 4

1) Hines Ward (vs. Cleveland): Ward has caught at least six passes and gained at least 80 yards in four of the Steelers' five games this year, though that's come with only one touchdown. He's a decent play, but Pittsburgh will likely be more focused on running the ball, which could hold Ward down somewhat.

2) Mike Sims-Walker (vs. St. Louis): Sims-Walker didn't play last week because he was suspended for a violation of team rules. The Jaguars subsequently got shut out, and he's back on the field with a very good match-up against a Rams team that is 25th in the league against the pass.

3) Derrick Mason (@ Minnesota): Mason simply will not be shut out like he was last week, and he's a solid option against a Vikings pass defense that can be exploited. Mason is very capable of doing the exploiting this week.

4) Bernard Berrian (vs. Baltimore): The Ravens remain surprisingly below-average against the pass, coming in 26th in the league in that category. Berrian has yet to gain more than 75 receiving yards, but all he needs is one of his trademark big plays to make that happen.

5) Dwayne Bowe (@ Washington): Bowe's touchdown catch last week was his third in four games, something he's accomplished despite not catching more than five passes in any contest. Washington is third in the NFL in pass defense, so this won't be an easy game for him, but he's clearly a threat to score each week.

6) Jerricho Cotchery (vs. Buffalo): Cotchery is dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of practice. He's got a decent match-up if he plays, but there are other, healthier options in this group.

Wide Receivers 5

1) Donald Driver (vs. Detroit): With at least four catches in every game this season, Driver has done a lot to prove that, even at age 34, there's a lot of tread left in his tires. He has a solid match-up this week against Detroit, a team he scored a touchdown against both times Green Bay played them last season.

2) Nate Burleson (vs. Arizona): Burleson has a great match-up against the Cardinals, but he's battling a bit of a back injury, something that has come at the least opportune time. He has only been limited in practice, so he should be able to play, but check before inserting him in your lineup.

3) Kevin Walter (@ Cincinnati): The Bengals have allowed one receiver to be productive against them, but have yet to allow two receivers in the same game do so. Only once, against the Steelers, have they allowed two wideouts to each gain at least 40 yards against them.

4) Eddie Royal (@ San Diego): Royal finally got involved last week after a hugely disappointing start. He caught 10 passes for 90 yards in Denver's win over the Patriots. But with such poor numbers the rest of the season, can we really trust him?

5) Mario Manningham (@ New Orleans): Manningham is a big play waiting to happen, but he doesn't always get a lot of work. For example, over the last two weeks, the Michigan product has caught just three passes, and he's accumulated more than four receptions in one game this season, and has crossed the 60 receiving-yard barrier just once.

6) Terrell Owens (@ NY Jets): There's just no reason to think TO will get it going this week, especially against a team in the Jets that has shut down their opposition's top wideout with regularity.

Tight Ends 1

1) Brent Celek (@ Oakland): Celek has been a big part of the Philly offense, with at least four catches in three of the team's four contests this season. The Raiders have twice allowed more than 45 receiving yards to a tight end in five games this year.

2) Antonio Gates (vs. Denver): Gates is the leading pass-catcher on the Chargers' squad with 24, and he hasn't caught fewer than five passes in any one game this season. The Broncos have generally been excellent against tight ends this season, having held the likes of Jason Witten to just four catches for 31 yards, but Gates is too big a piece of San Diego's offense to be held down.

3) Tony Gonzalez (vs. Chicago): Only once have the Bears really been burned by players at the tight end position, and that was their last game against the Lions. Other than that, no tight end has amassed even 30 receiving yards against them. Still, Gonzalez isn't your typical tight end, is he?

4) Owen Daniels (@ Cincinnati): Daniels could be in line for a solid day on Sunday. He caught eight passes last week, and has caught at least five in three of the Texans' games this season. Cincinnati has allowed at least one tight end to catch five or more passes in three straight games.

5) Chris Cooley (vs. Kansas City): Cooley was completely shut out in the Redskins' last game, but that shouldn't be the case this week. He and the Skins go up against the Chiefs, who have been burned by tight ends twice for over 70 yards and a touchdown, and four times for at least 40 yards.

6) Heath Miller (vs. Cleveland): Miller has caught at least five passes in four of the Steelers' five games this year, and has scored three times in his last two games. The Browns have been good against tight ends, however, with none catching more than four passes or gaining more than 41 yards against them.

Tight Ends 2

1) John Carlson (vs. Arizona): Arizona stinks in pass defense, and that includes trying to cover tight ends. In three of their four games this season, tight ends have amassed at least 60 receiving yards, and twice they've allowed tight ends to catch touchdowns.

2) Kellen Winslow (vs. Carolina): Even with Tampa's below-average passing attack, Winslow holds value as a safety valve for quarterback Josh Johnson. The Panthers have allowed tight ends to beat them often this year, with an opposing player from that position leading their team in receiving yards in three of Carolina's four games.

3) Greg Olsen (@ Atlanta): The Falcons have been decent against tight ends this season, but over their last two games have seen players at that position catch nine passes for 155 yards and one touchdown. Olsen has scored in two straight games, but he had just one catch in the Bears' last contest.

4) Jeremy Shockey (vs. NY Giants): Shockey has caught at least four passes in each of the Saints' first four games, but he's not getting many yards with those receptions. He has yet to get at least 50 receiving yards and hasn't scored since Week 1.

5) Dustin Keller (vs. Buffalo): Keller was not on the receiving end of a single pass from Mark Sanchez last week in the Jets' loss to the Dolphins. He has also caught three or fewer passes in each of his last four games with a high total of 31 yards.

6) Jermichael Finley (vs. Detroit): Finley has a solid match-up and is coming off a career-best of 128 yards while scoring a touchdown, but his inconsistency makes it tough to trust him. He had just one catch for six yards in Week 1, and was completely shut out in Week 3.

Here's a breakdown of every NFC team, including prediction standings by division.

NFC East

Washington Redskins (5-11) The Mike Shanahan regime has seemingly injected new life into an ailing franchise, but a tough schedule and a shortage of playmakers will hurt Donovan McNabb's chances of reaching the playoffs with his former division rivals. One question remains unanswered: will the $100 million man finally prove his worth?

Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) Life without McNabb will be hard to swallow if Philly doesn't win right away. Kevin Kolb will be effective given the number of weapons he has, but the Eagles may suffer a letdown in their RB production from LeSean McCoy compared to pre-concussed Brian Westbrook.

New York Giants (10-6) The Giants are my NFC wildcard pick. They've bulked up with veteran leadership in key spots (i.e. Keith Bulluck, Shawn Andrews), and the receiving corps is looking better than ever. If Ahmad Bradshaw can fully embrace the starting RB role, they'll be tough to stop with Eli and his newly adjusted helmet.

Dallas Cowboys (10-6) Dallas has looked woeful this preseason, but then again.. it's preseason. They'll pick it up with their run-by-commitee ground attack, but ultimately it'll be their defense that gets them back to the playoffs.

NFC North

Detroit Lions (7-9) One of the league's brightest teams will look to give teams a run for their money. It will be crucial for Matthew Stafford to get into a rhythm with his O-line, his RBs (i.e. Jahvid Best), and his receiving corps, namely Calvin Johnson and newcomer Nate Burleson.

Chicago Bears (8-8) Hiring Mike Martz was definitely a step in the right direction for Jay Cutler's development. Brian Urlacher and the defense will look to bounce back, as will Matt Forte from his sophomore slump. A playoff berth could mean job security for Lovie Smith, so this could get interesting.

Minnesota Vikings (9-7) Surprise, surprise: training camp ends and Papa Favre shows up. But the dinosaur won't be able to recreate last year's magic without Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin in full-capacity. Inevitably, the weight falls on Adrian Peterson's shoulders. ?

Green Bay Packers (11-5) Aaron Rodgers is quickly becoming the Peyton Manning of the NFC, and with Ryan Grant in the backfield and a top 5 defense, the sky is the limit for this group. Watch out for 3rd year TE Jermichael Finley to step it up a notch and become a redzone regular for Rodgers.

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13) Every dark cloud has a silver Cadillac.

Carolina Panthers (6-10) Running and defense have always been John Fox staples. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart fill handle the running, but the defense could be suspect. Matt Moore has yet to prove himself, but how tough can it be to match Jake Delhomme's disgraceful performance.

Atlanta Falcons (10-6) Matt Ryan will return from his sophomore campaign with a newfound confidence. Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez will both have a hand in that, and a potent ground game should take the pressure off of him. The Falcons are my other NFC Wild Card pick.

New Orleans Saints (12-4) Not much has changed except that there's a huge X on New Orleans' back (as in XLIV). But if any coach is up for the challenge, it's Sean Payton and his gutsy playcalling. The defense was not as physical as other teams, but they'll have to be opportunistic with turnovers in order to get back to the Promised Land (a.k.a. The House That Jerry Jones Built).

NFC West

St. Louis Rams (4-12) With Steve Spagnuolo's defense more firmly intact, I'm giving last season's 1-win wonder 3 more wins in the NFL's weakest division.

Seattle Seahawks (6-10) Pete Carroll gets another crack at the pros with America's forgotten team. Leon Washington and Justin Forsett could put Seattle's running game back on the map, but the defense needs to find more ways to apply pressure.

Arizona Cardinals (7-9) With the ongoing QB crisis in effect, Ken Whisenhunt might have to seriously reevaluate his team's identity. This could mean more touches for Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells, opening up the passing game for the Cardinals. Now all they need is a QB.

San Francisco 49ers (10-6) This could be the first time San Fran wins the division since the T.O. administration. Aside from enjoying an easy schedule, the Niners are a complete team- Frank Gore owns the backfield, Alex Smith is coming into his own, and the defense is taking on the persona of the mad man that is Mike Singletary.

Asaf Winer is a sports journalist who freelances for sports predictions websites. He is considered a sports expert in football predictions and posts his free NFL predictions in many online forums. You can see his weekly NFL picks at http://www.Superpredictors.com, where last year he was ranked the top predictor for the 2009-2010 NFL season.

Minnesota Vikings
Projected Record: 11-5

Brett Favre is coming back. Brett Favre does not want (nor does he probably need) training camp and he and the Vikings both know this. My guess is the only reason this is a story is because the Vikings don't want to show themselves as a team that openly allows a player to miss training camp. Make no mistake, number 4 will be under center when the Vikings take on the Saints to open the season.

Adrian Peterson still runs like a bull. The problem is he still carries the ball like a loaf of bread. Everyone criticizes Brett Favre for throwing that interception at the end of the NFC title game (rightfully so) but don't forget Peterson's fumble at the end of the half that cost the Vikings at least three points. While Peterson will get his yards, rookie Toby Gearhart will likely take the place of Chester Taylor as the third down back. Sydney Rice and Visanthe Shiancoe emerged as prime targets in the Vikings offense last season and their production should continue to increase this season.

Jared Allen and The Williams Wall (Kevin Williams, Pat Williams) make up one of the most dominant front fours in all of football. Reports say that linebacker E.J. Henderson's recovery from a horrific knee injury is ahead of schedule which is key for the Vikings. His health could be the difference in the Vikings defense being good or very good. Second round pick Chris Cook adds youth to a veteran secondary that is lead by Antoine Winfield.

The Vikings were within a whisker of the Super Bowl last year and without a significant drop off in talent they appear to be in a great position reach the big game this year. Obviously, the health of Favre is key, but the Star Caps case could affect the Vikings defense if ruling comes down some this season. I don't think it will but it's worth keeping an eye on.

Green Bay Packers
Projected Record: 11-5

Aaron Rodgers was awesome in the playoff loss at Arizona. I don't think I remember a QB in his first road playoff start playing so well. Rodgers certainly had the respect of the organization before that performance but I think the world as a whole now views Rogers as a difference maker and an elite quarterback in the league.

The Packers drafted Brian Baluga to help sure up an offensive line that had some problems protecting Aaron Rodgers last year. Baluga is coming off dealing with a thyroid issue, but the Packers felt he was recovered enough to warrant a first round selection. Offensively Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and Jermichael Finley still give defenses match up problems across the board. Ryan Grant, though not spectacular, continues to be a reliable workhorse at running back.

The defense, which had been a strength for the Packers, really fell apart in the playoff loss at Arizona. The Packers drafted defensive end Greg Neal and safety Morgan Burnett to add youth and speed to defense that was susceptible to big play at times last season. The line backing corps are still the strength of the unit with veterans Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, and Clay Matthews returning. The secondary is also strong with Charles Woodson, Al Harris, and Atari Bigby patrolling the passing air ways.

The Packers should be able to challenge Minnesota for the NFC North. The defense will be better in its second year under defensive coordinator Dom Capers and Aaron Rodgers should continue his excellent play. Green Bay shouldn't be looked as a dark horse but as a legitimate Super bowl contender.

Chicago Bears
Projected Record: 8-8

Last off season the Bears made a major move trading for Jay Cutler. The Bears were applauded for bringing the first potential franchise quarterback to the city, since Jim McMahon. This season the Bears still have high hopes for Cutler but, the 26 interceptions he threw and his erratic play last year have to be a bit of concern for a player they've invested so much in.

To maximize their investment in Cutler the Bears brought in offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The Bears don't have a true number one receiver but they believe their receiver by committee approach can get the job done. Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, and Devin Aromashodu should all get plenty of opportunities to showcase their talent in Martz's system. The Bears hope one of them will emerge into the big play threat Chicago desperately needs. Free agent acquisition Chester Taylor should provide a nice compliment to Matt Forte in the backfield. Taylor's pass catching abilities will be used frequently in the Bears new offense.

Defensively, the Bears made a huge upgrade on the defensive line with the signing of defensive end Julius Peppers. Peppers should help Chicago augment a pass rush that has been lacking in previous seasons. Brian Urlacher also appears to be at full strength after suffering a wrist injury that kept him out of 15 games last year. Chicago added safety Major Wright as well as defensive end Corey Wooten and corner back Josh Moore via the draft. The Bears are hoping to infuse some youth into a defense devastated by injuries last season.

I like most of the things Chicago did this offseason, the signing of Martz will help the offense and the signing of Julius Peppers will help the defense. However, I don't think the Bears are better than the Vikings or Packers who also play in their division, which puts them out the running for the postseason.

Detroit Lions
Projected Record: 4-12

The good news for Detroit is that they made a 2 game improvement on their win total from the previous season. The problem is they didn't win any games the previous season. Head coach Jim Schwartz heads into his second season with second year quarterback Matthew Stafford leading the Lions on the road back to respectability. Stafford showed flashes of brilliance last year but it's too early to tell if he is the franchise quarterback this team so desperately needs.

The Lions got a lot of help in the draft taking all-world defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and the lightening quick,explosive running back Jahvid Best. Cornerback Amari Spievey should help out in the secondary and tackle Jason Fox will provide some added depth along the offensive line.

On offense, receiver Calvin Johnson (aka Megatron) is second to no one in terms of talent. He routinely beats double teams and is becoming one of the best receivers in the league. Free agent pickup Tony Scheffler should also provide another receiving threat at tight end for the Lions.

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch reunites with his former head coach Jim Schwartz and hopes to spark a Lions pass rush that was lacking during last season. Veteran linebacker Julian Peterson and cornerback Dre Bly provide experience for a defense that is still trying to find its identity.

The Lions helped themselves immensely in the draft this year. If Stafford continues to develop the Lions could develop into a contender in the next season or two. Unfortunately for Lions fans the results might look a lot like last year, but crawling is a prerequisite to walking.

Frank Turner is a main contributor for Frank Football. For more season previews, fantasy football, and breaking news visit Frank Football.

The NFL's regular season is over, but the fantasy football season continues. Hopefully your fantasy football team was successful this season, but if not, one more chance for redemption awaits you. And even if you tasted success, and won your league, the playoffs allow you one more opportunity for fantasy football glory. And to help you achieve that exaltation, here are our player rankings.

Player 1
1) Peyton Manning: Despite playing less than a full game in each of his final two contests, Manning was second in the NFL in completions, completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns (tied with Brett Favre). All that and his team was working on an undefeated season before essentially forfeiting their final two games.

2) Drew Brees: Brees set the NFL record for single-season completion percentage and led the NFL with 34 touchdown passes despite sitting out Week 17. If you believe the Saints' late-season struggles were just a blip on the radar, Brees is an excellent option.

3) Philip Rivers: Rivers never seems to get mentioned when the top quarterbacks in the league are mentioned, but fantasy football enthusiasts know plenty about him. His 104.4 quarterback rating for the season was third in the league, and he was in the top-10 in both passing yards and touchdown throws.

4) Tony Romo: Romo had a great season, coming in third in the NFL in passing yards, and he happens to be playing his best football right now. Dallas is the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and many pundits like them to make a run at the Super Bowl.

5) Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers was fourth in passing yards, passing scores and quarterback rating for this season, so there's no doubt he is one of the best in the game. Green Bay is the fifth seed as well, which means it's unlikely they'd be playing any home games. He's the ultimate boom-or-bust candidate in this group.

6) Brett Favre: Favre had a remarkable year in every way, and he ended the regular season with a flourish. You have to wonder, however, if the Vikings will gear up the running game more in the playoffs than they did towards the end of the regular season.

Player 2
1) Kurt Warner: We all saw what Warner could do last season if he got hot in the playoffs, and despite the Cards getting waxed by the Packers last week, it didn't seem like they gave their full effort, did it?

2) Donovan McNabb: McNabb was worse than his pedestrian numbers (20-of-36, no touchdowns, no interceptions) indicated last week against the Cowboys, as he missed a number of open receivers. That and the fact that Philly is the No. 6 seed in the NFC will lead some to be pessimistic about him for a postseason fantasy football run, but remember that Philly had won six in a row, and McNabb has led his team on a number of deep playoff runs.

3) Tom Brady: While we certainly believe the Patriots can make an extended playoff run, Brady is dealing with a plethora of problems. First and foremost are his busted bones - he reportedly has three cracked ribs and a broken index finger on his right (throwing) hand. Not to mention the fact that Brady has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in three of his last four games, and his leading pass-catcher, Wes Welker, tore up his knee and will miss the playoffs.

4) Joe Flacco: If you're looking for a sleeper candidate, Flacco may be your man. He doesn't put up huge numbers, but the Ravens have the running game and defense necessary to allow them to make an extended push in the playoffs, with Flacco doing enough to give you decent fantasy points along the way.

5) Carson Palmer: Really, Palmer and Mark Sanchez should be 6A and 6B, as neither is much of an option. Palmer was horrendous against the Jets last week, completing one of his 11 throws, for zero yards. New York is No. 1 in the NFL against the pass, but even if Cincy does beat them, Palmer won't give you much.

6) Mark Sanchez: Sanchez is the poorest passer among quarterbacks whose teams made it to the playoffs, and he should be treated as such here. Even a Super Bowl run for him may not produce equal numbers equal to two games from other quarterbacks in the playoffs.

Player 3
1) Adrian Peterson: Peterson led the NFL in rushing scores, and despite the fact he didn't have a 100-yard rushing game in the playoffs, his fantasy football value is beyond doubt, and there's reason to think that if the Vikings advance to the Super Bowl, he'll have a lot to do with it.

2) Ray Rice: Rice has huge value in this scoring format due to his pass-catching acumen, and if you believe that the Ravens can win at least one game, he may be worth choosing.

3) Joseph Addai: Addai doesn't rack up huge yards, but he was tied for ninth in the league with 10 rushing scores, catches the ball quite a bit, and also is on a team many think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

4) Thomas Jones: Jones has a tough go of it in the first round, against the Bengals' seventh-ranked run defense, and though he ran for two scores against them last week, he gained just 78 yards on 27 carries.

5) Ryan Grant: Grant is an excellent runner, and the Packers blew away the Cardinals last week, but his lack of receptions really hurts his value.

6) Cedric Benson: Benson will have to be most of the offense if Cincinnati is to advance in the postseason, but the Jets are a tough defense and there is no frame of reference for how he'll do against them because he sat out last week in their contest.

Player 4
1) LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson has the advantage of being the lead back on a team that very well could wind up in the Super Bowl. Still, he had just one game with at least 75 rushing yards this season and two games with more than two receptions.

2) Pierre Thomas: Thomas had a bruised rib which was part of the reason he didn't suit up last week, but it's not a serious injury. He's a do-it-all back whose only question mark is how many carries he'll get.

3) Marion Barber: Barber had a solid season, though he carried the ball 20 times just once, and not more than 17 in any of his last six games. On a positive note, he did manage 91 yards last week against the Eagles.

4) Reggie Bush: Bush is more of a slot receiver than a running back, but the Saints clearly have the ability to make the Super Bowl, and he could catch enough passes to make him a worthwhile option.

5) Beanie Wells: Wells is now the lead back on a Cardinals team that we all know is dangerous considering what they did last season, and that was without a running game that Wells now provides them.

6) Brian Westbrook: Westbrook is a real wild card, and though we're not high on him due to what could be limited usage, if the Eagles wind up making a solid postseason run, Westbrook could be a big part of that, especially catching the ball.

Player 5
1) Felix Jones: Jones' explosiveness is what makes him an attractive option in this group. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry this season, tying Jamaal Charles for the highest average of any back with at least 100 carries. He also catches a decent amount of passes and received at least 10 carries in each of his last four games.

2) Darren Sproles: Speaking of explosive, Sproles fits right into that category, and he's also a very good receiver out of the backfield, but he doesn't receive the amount of carries Jones gets.

3) Chester Taylor: Taylor is a solid player who totes the rock between 5-10 times per game with 2-4 catches per. He could have good value if you think the Vikings are Super Bowl-bound.

4) Willis McGahee: We all saw what McGahee could do in Baltimore's last game of the season, and it may surprise you to know that he tied for fifth in the NFL with 12 touchdown runs.

5) Donald Brown: If the Colts weren't as good as they were, Brown would be last on this list, but he can pick up points based simply on the fact he may play more games. But he's clearly second fiddle to Joseph Addai, and has battled injuries all year.

6) Tim Hightower: Hightower received double-digit carries just once in his final five games, and he isn't explosive with the ball in his hands. What he does bring is potential fantasy points due to his ability to catch the ball.

Player 6
1) Dallas Clark: Clark was fifth in the NFL in receptions this season, tying teammate Reggie Wayne with 100 passes caught. He also tied Wayne for seventh in the league in touchdown grabs with 10, and is the most reliable pass-catching tight end in football.

2) Reggie Wayne: Wayne's numbers nearly mirrored Clark's in every way but receiving yards, where he picked up 158 more. Yet he's behind Clark due to his slow end to the year. He had fewer than 50 receiving yards in five of his final six games.

3) Sidney Rice: Rice broke out this season to place fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,312 on 83 receptions for a robust average of 15.8 yards per catch. But with receptions so valuable in this fantasy football scoring format, he ranks behind both Indy players.

4) Antonio Gates: Gates is one of the best pass-catching tight end in the game, and arguably number one. He ended the season on a great note, catching a touchdown in each of his final four contests.

5) Vincent Jackson: Jackson started hot, slowed down, then got hot again, racking up 100 yards in two of his final three games. His inconsistency is a concern, especially with so few games in the postseason to make his mark.

6) Marques Colston: There's nothing wrong with selecting Colston, it's just that the Saints have so many weapons, you never can tell who will be the player Drew Brees goes to in any specific game.

Player 7
1) Randy Moss: Moss tied for the league lead in touchdown catches with 13, and without Wes Welker, the onus to do big things in the New England passing game falls squarely on him.

2) Miles Austin: No receiver is currently playing better than Austin right now, who is physically dominating his opponents. He gained 90 or more receiving yards in five of his last six games, and wound up third in the league in that statistic.

3) Larry Fitzgerald: One of the players tied with Moss for the most touchdown catches in the NFL was Fitzgerald, though all things considered, he had a bit of a disappointing season, especially where receiving yards are concerned - he ranked 17th in the NFL with 1,092.

4) DeSean Jackson: Jackson is capable of pretty much anything, but he ended the season with two games of fewer than 50 receiving yards, and plays a Cowboys team that held him in check in Week 17.

5) Greg Jennings: Jennings' four touchdowns on the season was a huge disappointment to fantasy football owners across the land, though he still gained over 1,100 yards. But it's hard to ignore his lack of trips to the end zone and the fact that he caught fewer than 70 passes on the year.

6) Chad Ochocinco: Ochocinco will have to go up against Darrelle Revis in the Bengals' opening playoff game, and Revis, combined with a knee bruise, held Ochocinco to zero catches and zero yards in Week 17.

Player 8
1) Jason Witten: Witten's 94 catches this season were ninth in the NFL, though he only scored twice - once in Week 2, and again in Week 17 - against the very same Eagles team he'll be facing this week.

2) Brent Celek: Celek has become a trusted option for Donovan McNabb, and has proven that all season, but especially in the final weeks. He's the only one that didn't seem to have the dropsies in Week 17 against the Cowboys, a game in which he had seven receptions for 97 yards.

3) Percy Harvin: Harvin is a home run hitter who can find the end zone any time he touches the ball. He'll also run the ball at least once per game, giving him further value. By no means is he a bad option, it's just that he may not get as many looks as some other players in this group. Unless you think the Vikings are headed to the Super Bowl; then, by all means, insert him in your lineup.

4) Anquan Boldin: Boldin is suffering from injuries to both his knee and ankle, and may not suit up for Arizona's initial playoff game, so check his status before employing him in your fantasy football lineup.

5) Donald Driver: Driver had six receptions for 65 yards in Week 17 against Arizona, but he hasn't had a big game since Thanksgiving, and ended the season with fewer than 80 receiving yards in nine of his last 10 games

6) Derrick Mason: Mason is as reliable as they come, but Baltimore will win by running the ball, and their prospects for going deep into the playoffs seem remote.

Player 9
1) Julian Edelman: Edelman takes over the Wes Welker role in the New England offense, and that means big things in this scoring format. For example, in Week 17 he was targeted a whopping 15 times and came up with 10 catches for 103 yards.

2) Jermichael Finley: Finley is on his way to becoming one of the league's elite tight ends, and he finished the season with a bang, gaining 80 receiving yards or scoring a touchdown (or both) in each of his final five games.

3) Pierre Garcon: Garcon battled a hand injury late in the year that stunted what was seemingly excellent growth throughout the season. He was really playing well in the middle of the year before this injury caught up to him, and he can be effective on a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.

4) Robert Meachem: Meachem was extremely hot in the middle of the year, catching a touchdown in five straight games from Weeks 9-13. He's only scored once since then, however, and gained at least 70 yards just once in his final seven contests.

5) Jeremy Maclin: Maclin, Philly's first-round pick this year, has had a very good rookie season, but he's behind both Brent Celek and DeSean Jackson on the depth chart, and had fewer than 50 yards in both of his meetings with Dallas this season, the team the Eagles will face in the first round of the playoffs.

6) Jerricho Cotchery: The Jets pound the rock on the ground to win their games, and despite the fact that Cotchery and Mark Sanchez clearly have a solid chemistry, he's really not worth using.

Player 10
1) Devery Henderson: It's a gamble placing Henderson here, but one that could really pay off. He gained 804 yards this season on 51 receptions, and is always a threat to make one or two huge plays per game.

2) Bernard Berrian: Berrian had a highly disappointing season for his fantasy football owners, but he's on a Vikings team that isn't afraid to use all of their options, and one that could make a significant postseason run.

3) Jeremy Shockey: Shockey has been battling an injury, and hasn't caught a pass since Week 14. Still, it's possible he comes up with a solid postseason effort, because everyone on the Saints is capable of doing so considering how much they spread the ball around.

4) Braylon Edwards: Edwards gained less than 50 receiving yards in six of his final seven games, but he has the capability to deliver. Still, it's difficult to believe in him, especially considering the Jets are the lowest seed in the AFC, and win by running the ball and defense.

5) Roy Williams: If Williams gets the opportunity, he's shown he can make some things happen, but whether he does or not is anyone's guess. He's extremely frustrating to fantasy football owners, and can't be trusted, even if his talent says he can.

6) Steve Breaston: Breaston has ceded catches and yards to Early Doucet, so unless it's found out that Anquan Boldin's injury is a serious one, you should leave him be.

Player 11
1) Austin Collie: With Pierre Garcon out, Collie flourished, catching a touchdown in three consecutive games from Weeks 13-15. He also had nearly 100 yards in Week 16 and is a promising threat to, at the minimum, give you fantasy points with receptions, if not huge yards.

2) Malcolm Floyd: Floyd actually picked up 776 receiving yards on the season, which was more than players like Pierre Garcon, Jeremy Maclin and Robert Meachem. The problem was he did it on just 45 catches, which hurts in this scoring format, and he found the end zone only one time.

3) Patrick Crayton: Crayton is option three or four on the Dallas depth chart, depending on if Roy Williams actually shows up. But he had a big game against the Eagles in Week 17, and shouldn't be completely discounted because of his low spot on the pecking order.

4) James Jones: Jones did more than you might think by the Packers this season. He caught just 32 passes, but gained 440 yards, and more importantly, caught five touchdowns, which was one more than teammate Greg Jennings.

5) Todd Heap: Heap caught two touchdowns in each of his game during Week 15 and 16, and while that meant gold if you had the cajones to use him during your fantasy football playoffs, it was a rare feat for him, and he's just as likely to pick up 30 yards on two catches.

6) Dustin Keller: Keller is a middling option who didn't catch more than three passes or gain even 35 yards in any of his final five games.

Player 12
1) Nate Kaeding: Kaeding tied David Akers for the league lead in field goals, and was one of just two players who made 25 or more kicks to make at least 90 percent of his tries. He's the best kicker on a team with realistic Super Bowl expectations.

2) Ryan Longwell: Longwell has the benefit of kicking indoors until/if he reaches the Super Bowl, which is a nice bonus. He also plays on a high-scoring team and led the NFL in extra points made.

3) Garrett Hartley: Hartley only played five games this season, and though he was 9-for-11 in field goals, he only attempted one kick from 40 yards and beyond, and missed that kick. Still, he's on a team with a potent offense, and could be kicking in three games, which means plenty of points.

4) David Akers: As mentioned, Akers was tied for the league lead in field goals made. But he's on the sixth-seeded team in the NFC, and it may be difficult for the Eagles to advance deep into the postseason. Still, they very well could win a game or two, possibly making Akers a worthwhile selection.

5) Stephen Gostkowski: Gostkowski is on a team that can put up a lot of points, and has at least one home game, but his problem is long-distance kicking - he made only seven of his 11 kicks from 40 yards or beyond.

6) Jay Feely: Feely wasn't always accurate, making just over 83 percent of his field goal tries, but he was tied for third in the league in kicks made. Still, there are other options in this group that are better simply because they are on better teams.

7) Mason Crosby: Crosby made only 75 percent of his kicks this season, which is the worst percentage in this group. And he was only 6-of-13 from 40 yards or beyond.

8) Shaun Suisham: Suisham is a solid kicker, but he and Hartley are the only ones in this group not to have made a 50 yarder, and Suisham played nine more games than Hartley.

Player 13
1) Colts: The defensive group is the most subjective, and essentially boils down to which team you believe will go the furthest, thereby offering you the most opportunity to rack up points. For that reason, we've simply ranked the teams by their playoff seed.

2) Chargers:

3) Patriots:

4) Bengals:

5) Jets:

6) Ravens:

Player 14
1) Saints: The defensive group is the most subjective, and essentially boils down to which team you believe will go the furthest, thereby offering you the most opportunity to rack up points. For that reason, we've simply ranked the teams by their playoff seed.

2) Vikings:

3) Cowboys:

4) Cardinals:

5) Packers:

6) Eagles:

A week to go before the first week of the season so lets look at my final preseason fantasy football TE rankings.

1. Dallas Clark
2. Vernon Davis
3. Jason Witten
4. Antonio Gates
5. Tony Gonzalez
6. Brent Celek
7. Jermichael Finley
8. Chris Cooley
9. Kellen Winslow Jr.
10. Owen Daniels
11. John Carlson
12. Vishante Shiancoe
13. Zach Miller
14. Heath Miller
15. Tony Sheffler

-The top four remain the same but Tony Gonzalez moves ahead of Brent Celek due to the poor play of Eagles QB Kevin Kolb this preseason. I still think Celek is in for at least the numbers he put up last season but the uncertainty regarding Kolb puts the more safer Gonzalez ahead.

-Jermichael Finley of course is everyone's favorite sleeper but I will still hold him back until he puts up top numbers all season long.

-As I expected Chris Cooley has been Donovan McNabb's favorite target all preseason and he is in line for another Pro Bowl caliber year. People forget Cooley caught over 70 balls two years running until injury last season.

-John Carlson is another guy I love and his own QB Matt Hasselbeck predicts he will be their best player this year. I am sold. I drafted Carlson as my backup TE.

-Keep an eye on Tony Sheffler who is a intriguing sleeper.

So there you have it. Be sure to not sleep in the position as there is a decent drop off after the top 7 or so guys. Good luck.

Founder of http://fantasysportsboss.blogspot.com/ where you get all your fantasy sports needs.