QB Game Ball – Matt Schaub, Houston – 31/62 for 393 PaYd, 3 PaTD’s, 2 INT
Schaub finally delivered for fantasy owners that have waited all season by torching the Ravens down the stretch of Monday’s loss. We could’ve done without the two picks, but the Texans’ signal caller more than made up for it for the nearly 400 yards and three scores.

QB Honorable Mention – Alex Smith, San Francisco – 17/27 for 255 PaYd, 3 PaTD’s (very few owners out there had him in their lineups, but most wish they did).

RB Game Ball – Darren McFadden, Oakland – 123 RuYd, 3 receptions, 83 ReYd, 3 TD’s
What a day McFadden rewarded owners with during Week 14 in which he torched the Jags for over 200 total yards while finding the end zone three times. He remains a RB1 for any fantasy playoff push as the Raiders are determined to run the ball.

RB Honorable Mention – Michael Turner, Atlanta – 28 carries, 112 RuYd, 3 RuTD’s (The Falcons’ workhorse has three 100-yard games and six TD’s over last four weeks).

WR Game Ball – DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia – 4 receptions, 210 ReYd, 1 ReTD
Jackson remains fantasy football’s top playmaker broke out of his mini-slump in a big way, including the longest play of a season in the NFL, a 91-yard TD catch. He did it all despite tweaking his ankle during the game and missing some action.

WR Honorable Mention – Deion Branch, New England – 8 receptions, 151 ReYd, 1 ReTD (Branch defied odds and delivered huge effort despite terrible weather in Windy City).

TE Game Ball – Jason Witten, Dallas – 7 receptions, 69 ReYd, 2 ReTD
After missing in action for the past couple of weeks Witten was able to step up and score twice in Sunday night’s loss to the Eagles. He remains a top 5 option at the position on weekly basis, especially when you factor in all of the injuries at tight end.

TE Honorable Mention – Bo Scaife, Tennessee – 4 reception, 20 ReYd, 2 ReTD’s (scored two times for an offense that had gone 14 quarters without a touchdown).

GAME-USED SOCK AWARD
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota – 14 carries, 26 RuYD, 0 receptions, 0 TD’s
The elite fantasy back was from elite in the opening week of the playoffs turning in his worst effort of the season. He mustered just 1.9 yards per carry as the Vikings struggled mightily versus a tenacious Giants’ D.

Stinky Sock Honorable Mention – Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City – 1 reception, 3 ReYd, 0 ReYd (second straight dud week, though this time can be blamed partly on Brodie Croyle).

Fantasy Football, NFL matt schaub, alex smith, darren mcfadden, michael turner, desean jackson, deion branch, jason witten, bo scaife, adrian peterson, dwayne bowe

Man each week the NFL season draws closer to an end, and each week the depression kicks in a little more. Still, there are some great games on tap this weekend and I am going to try to enjoy them to the fullest. Let's take a look each game as I tell you how I see things unfolding and give you my picks.

BALTIMORE (12-5) at TENNESSEE (13-3) - Titans favored by 3
Outlook: The Titans won the Week 5 meeting 13-10 in Baltimore and this one promises to be another slugfest. Baltimore comes into the game off an impressive opening-round victory and seem to be clicking on all cylinders. In the Week 5 meeting the Ravens controlled the clock and limited Tennessee to 47 yards rushing. Tennessee will need more effective running the ball this time around. Ravens' QB Joe Flacco threw two picks in the first meeting, but hasn't been turning the ball over as much of late. The two teams are extremely similar statisically in PaYd per game, RuYd per game, points scored, points allowed, give-aways, and take-aways. The game could easily come down to which team can put points on the board with their defense of special teams.

My Pick: Ravens 20, Titans 16...The one underdog I like to win straight up this week.

Fantasy Clicks: PLAY - Chris Johnson, LeRon McClain, Derrick Mason, Bo Scaife, Rob Bironas, Matt Stover, Ravens DEF, Titans DEF; DON'T PLAY - Joe Flacco, Kerry Collins, LenDale White, Any Titans' WR, Todd Heap.

ARIZONA (10-7) at CAROLINA (12-4) - Panthers favored by 10
Outlook: Talk about two teams that are completely different, the Cardinals and Panthers have gotten to this point in completely different manners. The Panthers have a top-notched running game and an above average defense. The Cardinals boast the league's most prolific passing attack, but struggle to move the ball on the ground and has played inconsistent this year on defense. The game is in Carolina and that could be the difference. Arizona is just 3-5 away from the friendly confines of the desert and and the Panthers are a perfect 8-0 at Bank of America Stadium. Kurt Warner has passed for twice as many TD's as Jake Delhomme (30:15), but Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower collectively were nearly outproduced by the Panthers' No. 2 running back Jonathan Stewart on the ground (913 yards to 836 yards). DeAngelo Williams finished thrid in the NFL in rushing with 1515 yards.

My Pick: Carolina 31, Arizona 20...The Cards will have some success on offense, but will not be able to stop the run this week.

Fantasy Clicks: PLAY - Jake Delhomme, Kurt Warner, DeAngelo Williams, Edgerrin James, Jonathan Stewart, Steve Smith, Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, Anquan Boldin (game-time decision), Mushin Muhammad, John Kasay, Neil Rackers; DON'T PLAY - Tim Hightower, Stephen Spach, Donte Rosario, Panthers DEF, Cardinals DEF.

PHILADELPHIA (10-6-1) at NY GIANTS (13-3) - Giants favored by 4.5
Outlook: I am still trying to figure out the Eagles even got this point. It wasn't too long ago I went and watched them tie the Bengals. Much has happened since then and the Eagles have won 4 of their last 5 games to get to this point. The Giants are the defending champs and come into the game well rested. While the Eagles finished the season red hot, the Giants were a bit sluggish down the stretch as they dealt with problems on and off the field. The two teams split in their head-to-head match-ups with Philly, winning 20-14 in Week 14 at the Meadowlands. Eli Manning has looked rough down the stretch (only averaging 153 PaYd per game w/out Plaxico). The G-Men will enjoy a healthy return of Brandon Jacobs.

My Pick: Giants 20, Eagles 14...the rubber match should be a good one, but I still like the champs coming off two weeks of rest.

Fantasy Clicks: PLAY - Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Domenik Hixon, Kevin Boss, Brent Celek, Eagles DEF, David Akers, John Carney; DON'T PLAY - Eli Manning, Correll Buckhalter, Amani Toomer, Giants DEF.

SAN DIEGO (9-8) at PITTSBURGH (12-4) - Steelers favored by 6
Outlook: A little over a month ago I pegged the Chargers as the most overrated team and declared Norv Turner one of the worst coaches in the league. It's amazing what five straight wins can do for job somebody's job security. Behind the Pro Bowl caliber play of Phillip Rivers and the speedy Darren Sproles San Diego has caught a bolt of lightning. Pittsburgh's defense is as good as ever and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continues to find ways to win. The Steelers' ground attack has been disappointing, but it hasn't matter much as they've continue to beat good team after good team. They have the best homefield advantage of any team in the playoffs and that could make the difference here. San Diego lost at Pittsburhg in Week 11 in the first 11-10 game in NFL history.

My Pick: Pittsburgh 21, Chargers 14...as much as I hate them the Steelers are my Super Bowl pick right now and I am sticking with it!

Fantasy Clicks: PLAY - Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Heath Miller, Steelers; DON'T PLAY - Phillip Rivers, Darren Sproles (fear the Steelers' D), LaDainian Tomlinson (hurt), Chris Chambers, Chargers DEF, Nate Kaeding, Jeff Reed.

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In place of our normal Fantasy Traffic Light this week, we take time to look ahead to the second half of the fantasy season:

QUARTERBACKS
STUD: Peyton Manning – The Colts are getting healthy and he’s thrown for multiple scores in 3 of his last 4 games. A good stretch of games coming up with NE (banged up), PIT (tough), HOU, SD, CLE and CIN on the slate over the next 6 weeks.

DUD: Phillip Rivers – He has looked so good to this point, but the Chargers’ remaining schedule is fantasy-friendly for quarterbacks with tilts against the Steelers, Colts, and Bucs (in final week). The easy match-ups within the division better suit the team running the ball.

RUNNING BACKS
STUD: LaDainian Tomlinson – He showed last year he can be a productive back in the second half. He ran the ball 176 times for 857 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and scored 11 total touchdowns (nine rushing) in the last two months last year. Two of Tomlinson's upcoming opponents this December - the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs, whom the Chargers also face in Week 10 - have a poor history against the Chargers back and a porous run defense.

DUD: Marion Barber - In the Cowboys remaining 8 games they will face a top 10 rushing defense 6 of those weeks. In weeks 14-16 the Cowboys will see the league's third, seventh and first ranked rushing defenses.

WIDE RECEIVERS
STUD: Bernard Berrian – If you can get by the next few weeks of tough games, Berrian’s upside in the playoffs is great. Not only does he get three cupcakes in Detroit, Arizona, and Atlanta, he will benefit from playing December fantasy playoff games in either a dome or in the desert.

DUD: Kevin Walter – The Texas No. 2 wideout has excelled of late, but Houston plays a tough schedule down the stretch with the Vikings and Ravens the next two weeks and stingy WR match-ups in the critical 14-16 week stretch with the Packers, Titans, and Raiders on the slate.

TIGHT ENDS
STUD: Greg Olsen – I am still just waiting for this guy to blowup. The fun starts this week against the Lions, who are giving up mass points through the air and big performances to tight ends. Three games at Solider Field during the playoffs could be a problem, but the match-ups suggest a strong second half.

DUDS: Titans’ Tight Ends – Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife may have been turned to for bye-week fillers, but neither should be counted on as starting options during the second half of the season. Playoff match-ups against Browns, Texans, and Steelers are more troubling than they appear to be.

TEAM DEFENSES
STUD: Jaguars – Their playoff match-ups aren’t as favorable as I would like, but the next few weeks look good, especially the next two games against the Bengals and Lions’ anemic offenses.

DUD: Giants – They still play DAL, WAS, PHI twice, and CAR in Week 16 – all capable offenses.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE ANALYSIS  (from FFToday.com)

Fantasy Football fantasy schedule analysis, peyton manning, phillip rivers, ladainian tomlinson, marion barber, bernard berrian, kevin walter, greg olsen, alge crumpler, bo scaife, jaguars def, giants def

Green Light, Yellow Light, Red Light – STOP!!! There are some appealing names each week on the waiver wire, I supply my weekly take on whether these players should be considered or not.

QUARTERBACKS
Brad Johnson (DAL) - With Tony Romo out for up to 4 weeks with a broken pinkie, Johnson takes the helm of one of football's most prolific offenses. Don't expect monster numbers, but the veteran is definitely worth a look and should post respectable numbers. Expect to see Dallas go to a run-first attack, but with Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, and Patrick Crayton at his disposal Johnson is going to prove worthy, at least in the short term.

Dan Orlovsky (DET) - The Lions have fallen to 0-6 and even if Jon Kitna's back problems cease, there is talk that the team is ready to turn it over to Orlovsky to see what he can do. He wasn't terrible in his first game and actually breathed some life into Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Still, these are the Lions we are talking about and Orlovsky is far from a sure thing. If you are stuck considering this guy right now then I am afraid your team needs more help than I can provide.

RUNNING BACKS
Dominic Rhodes (IND) - His value hinges on the status of starter Joseph Addai, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6. It is unclear at this point whether or not Addai will be availble this coming week. After watching Rhodes fill in with 77 yards and a score this past week against the Ravens' stingy rushing defense, the thought of him getting the bulk of the carries in Week 7 vs. Green Bay is appealing.

Ryan Torain (DEN) - Reports indicate that the Broncos' rookie running back will be ready to go after the team's Week 8 bye. Nobody has been able to emerge as a fantasy threat out of the Broncos' backfield to this point, but history suggests that will change. Torain has the best mix of size, speed, and ability and could emerge down the second half of the season. Don't hesitate in locking him up while you can.

Warrick Dunn (TB) - Don't look now, but the veteran is getting some love in the Tampa offense. For the third straight week Dunn rushed for at least 63 yards. This week he was featured in the Bucs' attack and finished with 22 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown. It appears that both Dunn and Earnest Graham are going to have a role in the offense. Dunn makes for a great bye-week filler and could prove to be a decent flex option moving forward.

Patrick Cobbs (MIA) - After two huge touchdown plays in Week 6 many owners are going to be making waiver bids on Cobbs this week, but don't get caught in that trap. Before last week Cobbs had amassed 67 yards in his first two seasons with the Dolphins. Miami's Wildcat offense is proving valuable, but with both Ronnie Brown and Reggie Williams ahead of Cobbs in the pecking order it may be two more years before he has another day like Sunday.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Devin Hester (CHI) - This may be a week to late for some, but if Hester is still available in your league grab him now. He continues to become more a viable threat each week of the season and few players have Hester's potential to make a big play after catching the ball. He caught 6 passes for 87 yards last week and is worth a look in any format. The only thing that could hurt his production is the return of Brandon Lloyd.

Donte Stallworth (CLE) - He only caught two balls for 13 yards in his return to the lineup in Week 6, but he was targeted 7 times in the game and the Browns' passing attack actually showed some signs of life. This week's match-up vs. the Redskins isn't a favorable one, but if Stallworth can be had it is worth taking a stab at him as he could end up being a solid WR3 option.

Antwaan Randle El (WAS) - The Redskins wideout has enjoyed teams focusing on his teammate Santana Moss the past two weeks and is quietly putting up solid numbers. He followed up a Week 5 game where he was targeted 11 times by catching 5 balls for 87 yards this past Sunday. Still, like Moss, Randle El lacks the consistency that make receivers fantasy worthy. 

TIGHT ENDS
Bo Scaife (TEN) - Scaife blew up in Week 5 with 7 catches for 72 yards and with that performance in the rearview mirror he's likely sitting their on your waiver wire. He's been targeted 15 times over the past two games, making him a nice bye-week fill in. However, don't count on this guy to be your No. 1 tight option just yet. Worth a look, but you can probably do better.

Fantasy Football brad johnson, dan orlovsky, dominic rhodes, ryan torain, warrick dunn, patrick cobbs, devin hester, donte stallworth, antwaan randle el, bo scaife