Playoff primer: QBs, RBs and Ds to claim

Roger Rotter / FOXSports.com
Posted: 12 hours ago

The push to make the playoffs is ending soon, and those fortunate to participate will be dreaming of a title.

Here's a primer to help postseason owners navigate the unchartered waters in the fantasy playoffs, steering past dangerous players and finding fantasy reserves to safely land a championship. Quarterbacks, running backs and defenses are reviewed.

Schedule Risks

These players are at risk of posting low scores in the fantasy playoffs. They are ranked in descending order of most likely to occur because of their schedule.

1. Indianapolis (Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne): If the Colts clinch home-field advantage early, coach Tony Dungy has already insuinated that he plans to rest his starters and avoid injury, rather than attempt to win every game with the first stringers.

2. Seattle (Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Joe Jurevicius and Bobby Engram): Seattle owns the NFC's best record and could clinch early.

3. New England (Tom Brady, Corey Dillon, Deion Branch): The Patriots are in such a dismal division that they could clinch early and be left without a chance to move up in seeds because of a mediocre record.

4. St. Louis (Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce): If the Rams are knocked out of the playoff hunt, then it may want to audition younger players.

5. Denver (Jake Plummer, Mike Anderson and Rod Smith): Denver could clinch the second seed early, giving them home-field advantage in the second round. It may not be able to win the first seed with Indy's sparkling record.

6. Cincinnati (Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh): If the Bengals clinch the division early without a chance of moving up in seeds, their games could be meaningless in the playoff picture.

7. Green Bay (Brett Favre, Donald Driver): The Packers may want to sit Favre in the second half and audition rookie quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

8. Chicago (Thomas Jones, Mushin Muhammad): If Chicago is in the playoffs and cannot improve its seed, then it may be apt to rest its starters.

9. Atlanta (Michael Vick, Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler): If Atlanta is in the playoffs and cannot improve its position, then it could rest the starters to avoid injuries.

10. Dallas (Drew Bledsoe, Julius Jones, Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn): If Dallas is in the playoffs and cannot improve its position, then it could bench the starters.

11. New York Giants (Eli Manning, Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Jeremy Shockey): If the Giants are in the playoffs and cannot improve their seed, then they could bench the starters.

Injury Risks

These players pose a greater risk of injuries. Many are weekly starters, but injuries could knock them out of the fantasy playoffs. They are ranked in descending order of most likely to be injured.

Quarterbacks

1. Kurt Warner, Arizona

2. Marc Bulger, St. Louis

3. Michael Vick, Atlanta

4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh

5. Steve McNair, Tennessee

6. Mark Brunell, Washington

7. Drew Brees, San Diego

8. Jake Plummer, Denver

9. Brad Johnson, Minnesota

10. Trent Green, Kansas City

11. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle

12. Drew Bledsoe, Dallas

Running backs

1. Fred Taylor, Jacksonville

2. Corey Dillon, New England

3. Julius Jones, Dallas

4. Kevin Jones, Detroit

5. Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay

6. DeShaun Foster, Carolina

7. Stephen Davis, Carolina

8. Domanick Davis, Houston

9. Chris Brown, Tennessee

10. Thomas Jones, Chicago

11. Willie Parker/Jerome Bettis/Duce Staley, Pittsburgh

12. Kevan Barlow, San Francisco

13. Tatum Bell, Denver

14. Jamal Lewis, Baltimore

15. Marcel Shipp, Arizona

16. Mike Anderson, Denver

17. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia

18. Clinton Portis, Denver

19. Tiki Barber, N.Y. Giants

20. Antowain Smith, New Orleans

21. Warrick Dunn, Atlanta

22. Curtis Martin, N.Y. Jets

Life Preservers

Backup plans will be needed for players who may be sitting on the bench by halftime or missing the game to avoid injuries. In addition, these quarterbacks, running backs and defenses can be emergency pickups in case of injuries. They may be available in free agency and have favorable schedules.

Favorable Quarterbacks

Five Foes

Kyle Boller

He has favorable matchups against Houston, Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota and Cleveland for the rest of the season.

# Week 13 (vs. Houston) - The Texans have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns (20) and have yielded three touchdown passes in each of the last three games.

# Week 14 (at Denver) - The Broncos rank as the league's fifth-worst pass defense and have allowed the seventh-most touchdowns (16).

# Week 15 (vs. Green Bay) - The Packers have allowed the seventh-most passing touchdowns (16).

# Week 16 (vs. Minnesota) - The Vikings have yielded the fifth-most passing touchdowns (19) and have allowed three 300-yard games.

# Week 17 (at Cleveland) - The Browns allowed Brad Johnson to throw for three touchdowns in Week 12.

Four Favorable Foes

David Garrard

He's replacing the injured Byron Leftwich, who is out 4-6 weeks and may miss the rest of the regular season. Garrard adds the bonus of his fine rushing skills.

# Week 13 (at Cleveland) - The Browns allowed Brad Johnson to throw for three touchdowns in Week 12.

# Week 15 (vs. San Francisco) - The 49ers have the league's worst-pass defense and have allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (21).

# Week 16 (at Houston) - The Texans have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns (20) and have yielded three touchdown passes in each of the last three games.

# Week 17 (vs. Tennessee) - The Titans have allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (22).

Three Foes

David Carr

He's struggled against the league's toughest schedule, but showed he could pass well facing a weak secondary like St. Louis in Week 12. He threw for 293 yards and three scores.

# Week 14 (at Tennessee) - The Titans have allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (22).

# Week 15 (vs. Arizona) - The Texans have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns (20) and have yielded three touchdown passes in each of the last three games.

# Week 17 (at San Francisco) - The 49ers have the league's worst-pass defense and have allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (21).

Two Foes

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Even if Marc Bulger comes back healthy, the Rams may elect to start Fitzpatrick if they are out of the playoff race.

# Week 14 (at Minnesota) - The Vikings have yielded the fifth-most passing touchdowns (19) and have allowed three 300-yard games.

# Week 16 (vs. Philadelphia) - The 49ers have the league's worst-pass defense and have allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (21).

One Foe

Aaron Brooks

He has an appealing matchup in Week 16 at home vs. Detroit.

# Week 16 (vs. Detroit) - The Lions rank in the top third in allowing the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

Brad Johnson - He threw for three scores in Week 12 against Cleveland and has engineered a more potent offense than Daunte Culpepper.

# Week 14 (vs. St. Louis) - The Rams' secondary is battling injuries, losing three starters for Week 12. The Rams rank as the league's third-worst pass defense and have allowed the most passing touchdowns (23).

Favorable Running Backs

Four Foes

Maurice Morris

Seattle's backup running back could thrive behind one of the league's top offensive lines, no matter the foe. He could substitute for Shaun Alexander if the Seahawks are cruising to a victory or if the Seahawks bench him for the playoffs.

# Week 14 (vs. San Francisco) - The 49ers have allowed the second-most touchdowns (15) and rank as the league's 11th-worst pass defense.

# Week 15 (at Tennessee) - The Titans have been strong against the run, but they have allowed five runners to combine for at least 100 yards.

# Week 16 (vs. Indianapolis) - Indy could be resting its regulars if it clinches the top seed.

# Week 17 (at Green Bay) - The Packers rank as the league's 10th-worst run defense.

Three Foes

Dominic Rhodes

He would likely start or play for Edgerrin James if the Colts decide to rest their regulars. He could play in mopup duty, too.

# Week 13 (vs. Tennessee) - The Titans have been strong against the run, but they have allowed five runners to combine for at least 100 yards. Rhodes could see mopup duty.

# Week 16 (at Seattle) - Not only could Indy be sitting its starters, but Seattle could be resting its regulars if it nabs the top seed already.

# Week 17 (vs. Arizona) - The Cardinals have allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns (15).

Patrick Pass

Corey Dillon may sit more games because of injury or the Patriots want to rest him if they can't increase their playoff seed. Pass is likely the better option than Heath Evans for his familiarity with the offense and pass-catching skills.

# Week 14 (at Buffalo) - The Bills are the NFL's second-worst run defense and have yielded the second-most rushing touchdowns (15).

# Week 16 (at New York Jets) - The Jets have allowed the third-most rushing yards and the second-most rushing touchdowns (15).

# Week 17 (vs. Miami) - The Dolphins have allowed eight runners to gain at least 100 yards in the last eight games.

Two Foes

Ron Dayne

If Denver decides to rest Mike Anderson, Dayne would likely replace him as the featured back.

# Week 15 (at Buffalo) - The Bills are the NFL's second-worst run defense and have yielded the second-most rushing touchdowns (15).

# Week 16 (vs. Oakland) - The Raiders have allowed eight running backs to total at least 90 yards.

Frank Gore

Building toward the future, San Francisco may want to give Gore a chance at the featured back role and sit Kevan Barlow. If Gore doesn't return from his hip injury, then Maurice Hicks could be showcased. Hicks ran for 83 yards and one touchdown when Barlow left Week 11 with a concussion.

# Week 16 (at St. Louis) - The Rams rank as the league's sixth-worst run defense and have allowed the fourth-most rushing touchdowns (13).

# Week 17 (vs. Houston) - The Texans rank as the league's worst run defense and have allowed the most rushing touchdowns (16).

One Foes

Others: J.J. Arrington (Week 15 - at Houston), Cedric Benson (Week 16 - at Green Bay; Week 17 -at Minnesota), Chris Perry (Week 14 - vs. Cleveland; Week 15 - at Detroit), Travis Henry (Week 14 - vs. Houston), Brandon Jacobs (Week 17 - at Oakland), Nick Goings (Week 15 - at New Orleans; Week 17 - at Atlanta)

Favorable Defenses

Some defenses can be picked up on a weekly basis. Here are the ones with the most appealing matchups:

Five Foes

New England

# Week 13 (vs. N.Y. Jets) - The Jets are starting inexperienced quarterback Brooks Bollinger. They have allowed the league's second-most turnovers (27) and the fourth-most sacks (35).

# Week 14 (at Buffalo) - The Bills are starting inexperienced second-year quarterback J.P. Losman. They've scored the third-fewest points (14.6) and allowed the fifth-most sacks (32).

# Week 15 (vs. Tampa Bay) - The Bucs are starting inexperienced quarterback Chris Simms.

# Week 16 (at N.Y. Jets) - See above

# Week 17 (vs. Miami) - The Dolphins have allowed the league's sixth-most turnovers (23).

Four Foes

Baltimore

# Week 13 (vs. Houston) - The Texans have scored the fourth-fewest points (15.3) and allowed the most sacks (50).

# Week 15 (vs. Green Bay) - The Packers have the league's second-most turnovers (27), led by Brett Favre's league-leading interceptions (19).

# Week 16 (vs. Minnesota) - The Vikings have allowed the second-most sacks (47) and the fifth-most turnovers (24).

# Week 17 (at Cleveland) - Cleveland will likely sit Trent Dilfer and start rookie quarterback Charlie Frye to build toward the future. The Browns have yielded the league's sixth-most turnovers (23) and scored the fifth-fewest points (15.4).

Seattle

# Week 13 (at Philadelphia) - The Eagles are starting inexperienced quarterback Mike McMahon.

# Week 14 (vs. San Francisco) - S.F. will be starting rookie Alex Smith if he's healthy. The other quarterbacks Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett are raw. The 49ers have the second-most turnovers (27) and the sixth-most sacks (31). They have scored the sixth-fewest points (15.7), held to fewer than 10 points four times.

# Week 15 (at Tennessee) - The Titans rank in the bottom half in turnovers and rank in the top half in allowing fantasy points to defenses.

# Week 17 (at Green Bay) - The Packers have the league's second-most turnovers (27), led by Brett Favre's league-leading interceptions (19).

Jacksonville

# Week 13 (at Cleveland) - Cleveland will likely sit Trent Dilfer and start rookie quarterback Charlie Frye to build toward the future. The Browns have yielded the league's sixth-most turnovers (23) and scored the fifth-fewest points (15.4).

# Week 15 (vs. San Francisco) - S.F. will be starting rookie Alex Smith if he's healthy. The other quarterbacks Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett are raw. The 49ers have the second-most turnovers (27) and the sixth-most sacks (31). They have scored the sixth-fewest points (15.7), held to fewer than 10 points four times.

# Week 16 (at Houston) - The Texans have scored the fourth-fewest points (15.3) and allowed the most sacks (50).

# Week 17 (vs. Tennessee) - The Titans rank in the bottom half in turnovers and rank in the top half in allowing fantasy points to defenses.

Three Foes

Minnesota

# Week 13 (at Detroit) - Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia have combined to throw the fifth-most interceptions (13). The Lions have the seventh-most turnovers (22) and have scored the seventh-fewest points (15.8).

# Week 16 (at Baltimore) - The Ravens have scored the second-fewest points (13.2). They have the fourth-most turnovers (25) and have allowed the fifth-most sacks (32).

# Week 17 (vs. Chicago) - Chicago is starting rookie quarterback Kyle Orton. The Bears have the fifth-most turnovers (24) and have scored the ninth-fewest points (16.5).

Miami

# Week 13 (vs. Buffalo) - The Bills are starting rookie quarterback J.P. Losman. They've scored the third-fewest points (14.6) and allowed the fifth-most sacks (32).

# Week 15 (vs. N.Y. Jets) - The Jets are starting an inexperienced quarterback Brooks Bollinger. They have allowed the league's second-most turnovers (27) and the fourth-most sacks (35).

# Week 16 (vs. Tennessee) - The Titans rank in the bottom half in turnovers and rank in the top half in allowing fantasy points to defenses.

Denver

# Week 14 (vs. Baltimore) - The Ravens have scored the second-fewest points (13.2). They have the fourth-most turnovers (25) and have allowed the fifth-most sacks (32).

# Week 15 (at Buffalo) - The Bills are starting rookie quarterback J.P. Losman. They've scored the third-fewest points (14.6) and allowed the fifth-most sacks (32).

# Week 16 (vs. Oakland) - In the Week 10 meeting, the Broncos scored one defensive touchdown on an interception return, and had four sacks and three interceptions. Also, the Raiders have allowed the eighth-most sacks (29).

Two Foes

Arizona (Week 13 - at San Francisco; Week 15 - at Houston), Buffalo (Week 13 - at Miami; Week 17 - at N.Y. Jets), Cleveland (Week 13 - vs. Jacksonville; Week 17- vs. Baltimore ), San Francisco (Week 13 - vs. Arizona ; Week 17 - vs. Houston), Tampa Bay (Week 13 -at New Orleans; Week 17 - New Orleans) and Oakland (Week 14 - at N.Y. Jets; Week 15 - vs. Cleveland)

One Foe

San Diego (Week 13 - vs. Oakland, Atlanta (Week 14 - vs. New Orleans); Green Bay (Week 14 - vs. Detroit); Tennessee (Week 14 - vs. Houston ), Detroit (Week 16 - at New Orleans), Dallas (Week 17 - vs. St. Louis), New Orleans (Week 16 - vs. Detroit) and St. Louis (Week 16 - vs. San Francisco),

Favorable Matchups

These are organized to give possible options by week:

Week 13

Quarterbacks: Kyle Boller (vs. Houston) and David Garrard (at Cleveland)

Running backs: Dominic Rhodes (vs. Tennessee)

Defenses: Arizona (at San Francisco), Baltimore (vs. Houston), Buffalo (at Miami), Cleveland (vs. Jacksonville), Jacksonville (at Cleveland), Miami (vs. Buffalo), Minnesota (at Detroit), New England (vs. N.Y. Jets), San Diego (vs. Oakland), San Francisco (vs. Arizona), Seattle (at Philadelphia) and Tampa Bay (at New Orleans)

Week 14

Quarterbacks: Kyle Boller (at Denver), David Carr (at Tennessee), Ryan Fitzpatrick (at Minnesota) and Brad Johnson (vs. St. Louis)

Running backs: Travis Henry (vs. Houston), Maurice Morris (vs. San Francisco), Patrick Pass (at Buffalo) and Chris Perry (vs. Cleveland)

Defenses: Atlanta (vs. New Orleans), Denver (vs. Baltimore), Green Bay (vs. Detroit), New England (at Buffalo), Oakland (at N.Y. Jets), Seattle (vs. San Francisco) and Tennessee (vs. Houston)

Week 15

Quarterbacks: Kyle Boller (vs. Green Bay), David Carr (vs. Arizona) and David Garrard (vs. San Francisco)

Running backs: J.J. Arrington (at Houston), Ron Dayne (at Buffalo), Nick Goings (at New Orleans), Maurice Morris (at Tennessee) and Chris Perry (at Detroit)

Defenses: Arizona (at Houston), Baltimore (vs. Green Bay), Denver (at Buffalo), Jacksonville (vs. San Francisco), Miami (vs. N.Y. Jets), New England (vs. Tampa Bay), Oakland (vs. Cleveland), Seattle (at Tennessee) and Tampa Bay (at New England)

Week 16

Quarterbacks: Kyle Boller (vs. Minnesota), Aaron Brooks (vs. Detroit), Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. Philadelphia) and David Garrard (at Houston)

Running backs: Cedric Benson (at Green Bay), Ron Dayne (vs. Oakland), Frank Gore (at St. Louis), Maurice Morris (vs. Indianapolis), Patrick Pass (at N.Y. Jets) and Dominic Rhodes (at Seattle)

Defenses: Baltimore (vs. Minnesota), Denver (vs. Oakland), Detroit (at New Orleans), Jacksonville (at Houston), Miami (vs. Tennessee), Minnesota (at Baltimore), New England (at N.Y. Jets), New Orleans (vs. Detroit) and St. Louis (vs. San Francisco)

Week 17

Quarterbacks: Kyle Boller (at Cleveland), David Carr (at San Francisco) and David Garrard (vs. Tennessee)

Running backs: Cedric Benson (at Minnesota), Nick Goings (at Atlanta), Frank Gore (vs. Houston), Brandon Jacobs (at Oakland), Maurice Morris (at Green Bay), Patrick Pass (vs. Miami) and Dominic Rhodes (vs. Arizona)

Defenses: Baltimore (at Cleveland), Buffalo (at N.Y. Jets), Cleveland (vs. Baltimore), Dallas (vs. St. Louis), Jacksonville (vs. Tennessee), Minnesota (vs. Chicago), New England (vs. Miami), San Francisco (vs. Houston), Seattle (at Green Bay) and Tampa Bay (vs. New Orleans)