NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 11. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis Detroit Lions Matthew... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, NFL.com breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Matthew Stafford and Brady Quinn post huge numbers. You know that old saying, "if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around the see it, does it make a sound?"... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis Minnesota Vikings Brett Favre, QB (22/25, 213 yards, 4 TDs): Favre continued his assault on the opposition in Week 11, completing 88... more

Looking for a sleeper to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis New York... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

With Michael Turner expected to miss Week 11, I need to start either LeSean McCoy or LaDainian Tomlinson alongside Ray Rice. Who would you go with between the rookie and the aging veteran? -- S. Matney, Ventura, Calif. Michael Fabiano: I'm going with Tomlinson here based... more

NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 10. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis St. Louis Rams Marc Bulger,... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, NFL.com breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Several prominent running backs go down with injuries. It was a very rough day for fantasy owners who started Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown, Michael Turner and Brian Westbrook... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis New England Patriots Tom Brady, QB (29/42, 352 yards, 3 TDs): The talk of the Sunday night game in NFL circles will be the decision of... more

Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis Tampa... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

Hey Mike! As soon as I drafted DeAngelo Williams, I planned on dealing him near the trade deadline. However, now I'm having second thoughts. He's been absolutely on fire lately, and the idea of trading him makes me a little queasy. But looking at the schedule, he does face... more

NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 9. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis Tampa Bay Buccaneers Josh... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, NFL.com breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Kurt Warner throws five touchdown passes in Chicago. Fantasy owners who've been starting Warner had to be concerned entering Week 9. After all, he'd just come off a... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis Chicago Bears Jay Cutler, QB (29/47, 369 yards, 3 TDs): Cutler's team has lost three of its last four games, but the quarterback did... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis ... more

NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 8. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis San Francisco 49ers Alex... more

Should I focus on my stud players or go with matchups this week? I have Philip Rivers at quarterback, but I can also start Matt Hasselbeck against Detroit. Also, which wide receivers should I start from Nate Burleson, Greg Jennings, Santana Moss and Johnny Knox? What about at running... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, NFL.com breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Steve Slaton gets benched, Ryan Moats shines. In the Week 8 edition of Start 'Em & Sit 'Em, Slaton was listed as the start of the week. After all, he was facing a... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis Minnesota Vikings Brett Favre, QB (17/28, 244 yards, 4 TDs): Favre, one of the top starts of the week on NFL.com, saw his legend grow in... more

Lynne Sladky / Associated Press Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will be a popular starting option in NFL.com's Fan Challenge. On Thursday, November 12, the first of eight games to air on the NFL Network kicks off as the Chicago Bears face the San Francisco... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis St.... more

Is Hakeem Nicks the real deal and if so, should I start him over Sidney Rice or Mike Sims-Walker this week? Also, who is a better play this week, Donovan McNabb or Jay Cutler? -- J. Gibson, Washington Michael Fabiano: Nicks certainly has made a name for himself in fantasy... more

NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 7. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis San Francisco 49ers Alex... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, NFL.com breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Miles Austin proves that he's no one-week wonder. Two weeks ago, I told fantasy owners that Austin wasn't going to put up another 250 yards like he did in his... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis Cincinnati Bengals Carson Palmer, QB (20/24, 233 yards, 5 TDs): Palmer made absolute mincemeat of the Bears defense, completing 83... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis ... more

I have a good team thus far, but Steve Smith (CAR) has been terrible and he's on the "can't cut" list. I want to trade him because his stock just keeps declining. Any advice on who to get? I was offered Santonio Holmes. Is it worth it? Thanks!! -- D. Chin, Baltimore,... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, NFL.com breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Tom Brady reverts to his 2007 form vs. the Titans. Brady proved that he still has some of that old 2007 magic left in a week that saw a number of quarterback put up huge... more

I have good depth at wide receiver and am looking to upgrade at running back. I have Michael Turner, Kevin Smith and Glen Coffee in the backfield with Greg Jennings, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Mike Sims-Walker, Santana Moss and Bernard Berrian at wideout. Who should I look to trade, and... more

NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 6. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis Miami Dolphins Chad Henne,... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis New England Patriots Tom Brady, QB (29/34, 380 yards, 6 TDs): Despite snowy and slick conditions on the field at Gillette Stadium, Brady... more

Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis ... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

NFL.com offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 5. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis Kansas City Chiefs Matt... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, NFL.com breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Austin Miles does his best Jerry Rice impersonation. During my Sunday chat on NFL.com, I suggested that Austin was a viable sleeper candidate against the Chiefs with Roy... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis Philadelphia Eagles Donovan McNabb, QB (16/21, 264 yards, 3 TDs): McNabb, playing in his first game since injuring his ribs, made the... more

Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis ... more

Hi Mike, I really need your help this week. Drew Brees is my No. 1 fantasy quarterback, but with the bye week I have to start Joe Flacco or Carson Palmer. I am leaning toward Flacco, but I keep thinking Palmer is going to have a breakout performance. What do you think? -- B.... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

Michael Fabiano offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 4. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent. Team Player Analysis Jacksonville Jaguars ... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, Michael Fabiano breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. The 49ers defense puts up huge numbers against the Rams. Guess who scored the most fantasy points on NFL.com in Week 4? No, it wasn't David Garrard (31 points) or... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis Jacksonville Jaguars David Garrard, QB (27/37, 323 yards, 3 TDs): Garrard was a major fantasy monster in Week 4, throwing for 323 yards... more

Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more lineup help, be sure to check out Start 'Em & Sit 'Em and our weekly player rankings. Team Player Analysis ... more

Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your fantasy team. Sleeper alert highlights a player who's under the radar but could produce strong numbers based on the opponent. Owners beware... more

Paul Spinelli / Associated Press Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has had a slow start to the season, but it's still hard to bench him in fantasy leagues. Do I dare bench Tom Brady in favor of Joe Flacco this week? Also, is it time to give up on Eddie Royal?... more

Greg Trott / Associated Press Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has scored double-digit touchdowns in every single season of his career. If you're one of the 15-20 million people who participated in the fantasy football craze last season, we've got a... more

Julie Jacobson / Associated Press Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be a popular starter in Week 1 of the NFL Playbook Challenge. Looking for another challenge to quence your fantasy football thirst? Well, here at NFL.com we have just what you... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis Chicago Bears Jay Cutler, QB (21/27, 247 yards, 3 TDs) In a performance that came against a Seahawks defense that hadn't allowed a... more

Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon is seeing more targets with Anthony Gonzalez out of action. Michael Fabiano offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 3. The number in parenthesis... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, Michael Fabiano breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Peyton Manning scorches the Cardinals on Sunday night. Who says Manning isn't still an elite fantasy quarterback? He proved against the Cardinals that no matter... more

M. Spencer Green / Associated Press Bears running back Matt Forte should help lead countless fantasy owners to a win in Week 3. Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your... more

LM Otero / Associated Press Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham is now owned in over 70 percent of NFL.com fantasy leagues. Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, Michael Fabiano breaks down the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Chris Johnson makes like Marshall Faulk in Tennessee. Christmas came in September for fantasy owners who were worried about Johnson after his mediocre Week 1 stat... more

Denis Poroy / Associated Press Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 436 yards and two touchdowns in last week's win over the Ravens. I've been offered Philip Rivers for Kurt Warner straight up. What should I do? -- J. Brabson, Millersburg, Mich. ... more

Paul Spinelli / Associated Press Jaguars quarterback David Garrard finished with a solid 21 fantasy points on NFL.com in Week 2. Michael Fabiano offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 2. The number in parenthesis... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide who was the most valuable! Team Player Analysis New Orleans Saints Drew Brees, QB (25/34, 311 yards, 3 TDs, INT): If there were any questions about who is the No. 1 quarterback in... more

Paul Sakuma / Associated Press Raiders running back Darren McFadden should help lead countless fantasy owners to a win in Week 2. Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your... more

David J. Phillip / Associated Press Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 272 yards and one touchdown in a 24-7 win over the Texans in Week 1. Michael, what are your thoughts about Mark Sanchez? Is he worth a spot on fantasy teams? He looked pretty good against... more

Tim Larsen / Associated Press Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell could be a surprise contributor for fantasy owners this week. Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For more... more

Bill Feig / Associated Press Saints running back Mike Bell was impressive in a season-opening 45-27 win over the Detroit Lions. Michael Fabiano offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 1. The number in parenthesis... more

Who was the Fantasy Player of the Week? Vote on the top performers and decide! Team Player Analysis New Orleans Saints Drew Brees, QB (26/34, 358 yards, 6 TDs, INT): If there were any questions about who is the No. 1 quarterback in fantasy football, Brees... more

From studs to duds, sleepers and more, Michael Fabiano breaks down all of the biggest fantasy stories of the week. 1. Drew Brees throws six touchdown passes against Detroit. Wow. That's about all you can say when you look at Brees' stat line against the Lions. The... more

Matt York / Getty Images Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is on the verge of becoming an elite fantasy option at his position. Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of the week and how those matchups will affect your... more

Greg Trott / Associated Press 49ers wide receiver Josh Morgan opens the 2009 season as the top option in his team's passing game. Looking for a sleeper or two to fill out your fantasy starting lineup this week? These 10 players could help you take home a win. For... more

Paul Jasienski / Associated Press Texans quarterback Matt Schaub will be a popular starter in fantasy leagues against the New York Jets. Which quarterback should I start in Week 1: Matt Schaub or Carson Palmer? -- S. Dhillon, Switzerland Michael Fabiano: I... more

NFL.com Illustration Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady are among the elite fantasy quarterbacks. The NFL has become more of a passing league in recent seasons, so it's no surprise to see the value of quarterbacks rising in fantasy football.... more

Paul Spinelli / Associated Press Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown for six touchdown passes in three preseason contests. Michael, I saw Aron Angel's article on quarterbacks and late-season weather conditions. I drafted Aaron Rodgers and I know... more

NFL.com Illustration Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Randy Moss headline the top fantasy wideouts for 2009. Running backs will be the prominent position taken in the first two rounds of most drafts, but wide receivers will be a close second.... more

NFL.com Illustration Fantasy footballers need to enter their drafts with an intimate knowledge of all 32 NFL backfields. The value of running backs is high once again after a season that saw the likes of Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton and Michael Turner... more

Kevin P. Casey / Associated Press Seahawks wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh has averaged better than 90 receptions in the last three seasons. NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down offseason player movement and examines the fantasy implications. ... more

David J. Phillip / Associated Press Vikings running back Adrian Peterson opens the 2009 season as the consensus No. 1 player in fantasy football. You've waited seven months. Now it's here -- the start of the 2009 fantasy football season! We here at... more

Mark Humphrey / Associated Press Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham will be playing under a new offensive coordinator to open the season. For the second time in less than a week, a team has dismissed its offensive coordinator with the regular season on the... more

Al Bello / Getty Images Cowboys wide receiver Roy E. Williams has immense draft value despite his statistical failures in 2008. Fantasy football enthusiasts can have short memories. We remember the heroics of Drew Brees, DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner and... more

With the third week of preseason action in the books and the regular season starting next week, it's almost time to start that shift from draft preparation to examining the matchups and scowering the waiver wire. But before we do that, let's take a look back at the top... more

Charlie Riedel / Associated Press Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles showed flashes of potential in his rookie season with the Chiefs. Sometimes in fantasy football, the players you least expect to make an impact (mostly because you'd never heard of them before)... more

When we talk about some of the biggest sleepers from the 2008 fantasy football season, the name Matt Cassel is certain to be mentioned. In the absence of a fallen Tom Brady, Cassel posted 3,693 passing yards, 270 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns. Those numbers helped him... more

The 2008 season proved that rookies can make a significant impact in fantasy football. Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Matt Ryan and Steve Slaton were just a few of the players to come out of the collegiate ranks and shine at the NFL level. While it will be hard for the same number... more

Continuing our monthly one-man, three-round mock series, let's take a look at who has moved up, down and out of our latest draft. As always, each numbered position represents an individual fantasy team, so no more than one quarterback, two running backs or two... more

Eric Gay / Associated Press Saints quarterback Drew Brees is being taken in the first round (7.43 ADP) on average in NFL.com fantasy leagues. Thanks for all of your help -- you've helped me win my league two of the last three years. But if you really want to... more

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Bills quarterback Trent Edwards should post the best numbers of his career with Terrell Owens in the mix. The term "sleeper" has several definitions. But in the world of fantasy football, it refers to a player who exceeds... more

David Zalubowski / Associated Press Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has recorded a combined 206 receptions over the last two seasons. Fantasy football enthusiasts, it's time to be concerned about the value of Brandon Marshall. The talented but... more

When Derrick Ward signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the offseason, it was seen as a positive move in terms of his fantasy value. After all, he was coming off the first 1,000-yard season of his NFL career while serving as a No. 2 back behind Brandon Jacobs in New York. With... more

Sharon Ellman / Associated Press Cowboys running back Marion Barber will see more than his share of touchdown opportunities this season. The Dallas Cowboys plan to utilize a more run-based offense in 2009 with one of the league's best backfield trios in Marion... more

Jeff Gross / Getty Images Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is more of a fantasy risk this season at age 30. Running backs take more physical punishment than any other offensive skill position, so it's no shock that some tend to break down once they close... more

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall was limited to just 19 carries as a rookie due to an injured shoulder. Fantasy prognosticators and owners alike spend much of the offseason compiling a list of potential sleepers who could turn... more

Stephan Savoia / Associated Press Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss finished with 68 receptions, 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Why isn't anyone talking about Randy Moss? I think he could be the No. 1 wide receiver in fantasy football now that Tom... more

Denis Poroy / Associated Press Jets running back Leon Washington is suddenly rising up the fantasy draft boards with a strong preseason showing. When the New York Jets hired coach Rex Ryan this past offseason and took Mark Sanchez in the first round of the NFL... more

Ed Zurga / Associated Press Saints running back Pierre Thomas finished with 909 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns. The movie Jerry Maguire, which follows the trials and tribulations of life as a sports agent, will forever be remembered for the line, "Show... more

Drew Hallowell / Getty Images Redskins running back Ladell Betts is expected to see a bigger role in the team's offense this season. Fantasy leaguers who had Clinton Portis on their team last season saw the veteran runner fade down the stretch. After rushing... more

Greg Trott / Associated Press Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker is an absolute superstar in fantasy leagues that reward points for catches. I'm in a PPR league that drafts in a few weeks, so I've been reading everything I can find. However, all of the... more

Matt York / Associated Press Falcons running back Michael Turner was a touchdown machine for fantasy footballers in 2009. One of the biggest topics of conversation in the world of fantasy football is the value of Michael Turner. Last year's breakout superstar... more

David J. Phillip / Associated Press Texans running back Chris Brown could turn out to be a major player in the team's backfield this season. Fantasy owners who landed Steve Slaton last season fielded one of the top sleepers of the 2008 season. Slaton was... more

Mel Evans / Associated Press Patriots quarterback Tom Brady improved his fantasy draft status in Thursday's preseason game. Wow. That's what fantasy leaguers everywhere were thinking while Tom Brady shredded the Philadelphia Eagles in his first game... more

Sam Greenwood / Getty Images Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew should post career numbers for fantasy football owners in 2009. Success in the world of fantasy football is all about the numbers. If your fantasy players exceed their statistical expectations,... more

Orlin Wagner / Associated Press Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is having a difficult time in training camp under new coach Todd Haley. I've been a fantasy nut for a while now and have a question about Tom Brady. How can he not be drafted in the first round?... more

Elise Amendola / Associated Press Rams wide receiver Donnie Avery caught 53 passes for 674 yards and scored three touchdowns last season. Training camp has not been a good place to be if you play the wide receiver position. Over the last few weeks, a number of... more

Michael Conroy / Associated Press Colts running back Joseph Addai is no longer worth a first-round pick in fantasy football drafts. Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai was without question one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football last... more

Nick Laham / Getty Images Jets running back Thomas Jones will be hard pressed to duplicate his impressive 2008 numbers. The term "bust" is the ugliest four-letter word in the world of fantasy football. Just ask anyone who drafted Larry Johnson, Willis McGahee... more

Chris McGrath / Getty Images Jim Nantz (right) of CBS Sports will be calling his second Super Bowl later this season in South Florida. Jim Nantz is one of the most accomplished and respected sportscasters in the business. As the voice of CBS Sports, Nantz is the lead... more

Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant was an exceptional sleeper for fantasy owners last season. Buccaneers' burning fantasy question: Can Antonio Bryant duplicate his 2008 success? When we think about former University of... more

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Falcons running back Michael Turner rushed for an impressive 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns in '08. Falcons' burning fantasy question: Can Michael Turner duplicate his 2008 success? Turner turned out to be one of the best... more

Chris McGrath / Getty Images Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is one of the first top-notch fantasy quarterbacks to have a bye in 2009. If you want to have the most successful fantasy football draft possible, there's more than just having an in-depth knowledge... more

Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images Vikings running back Adrian Peterson led the entire NFL with 1,760 rushing yards last season. Vikings' burning fantasy question: Is Adrian Peterson worth the No. 1 overall pick? Pick up just about any fantasy football... more

Jeff Gross / Getty Images Packers quarterback Aaron??Rodgers was one of the best bargains in fantasy football drafts last season. Packers' burning fantasy question: Was Aaron Rodgers a one-year fantasy wonder? Heading into the 2008 season, the big question... more

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Cowboys QB Tony Romo will no longer have Terrell Owens to lean on in the team's pass attack. Cowboys burning fantasy question: How will the loss of Terrell Owens affect Tony Romo's value? Cowboys top-5 fantasy players 1.... more

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Redskins running back Clinton Portis has rushed for 9,202 yards and 72 touchdowns in his NFL career. Redskins burning fantasy question: Is it time to worry about Clinton Portis? Redskins top-5 fantasy players 1. Clinton Portis ... more

Tom Uhlman / Associated Press Titans running back Chris Johnson rushed for 1,228 yards and nine touchdowns in his rookie season. Titans burning fantasy question: Will Chris Johnson improve on his rookies season? When we talked about which rookie running backs... more

David J. Phillip / Associated Press Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has a chance to have a breakout season in 2009, but he needs to avoid injuries. Texans' burning fantasy question: Is Matt Schaub a No. 1 fantasy quarterback? Anyone who plays fantasy... more

Tony Dejak / Associated Press Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2008 fantasy season. Browns burning fantasy question: Will Braylon Edwards rebound and become an elite fantasy receiver? Fantasy owners who spent a... more

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has two 4,000-yard seasons and 107 touchdown passes on his NFL r??sum??. Bengals' burning fantasy question: Is Carson Palmer still a No. 1 fantasy quarterback? The Cincinnati Bengals might not... more

Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Ravens running back Willis McGahee was one of the bigger busts in fantasy football last season. Ravens' burning fantasy question: Can any of the team's running backs be trusted? Trying to predict which Ravens running back... more

Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Jets running back Thomas Jones rushed for more than 1,300 yards with 15 total touchdowns last season. Jets burning fantasy question: Will Thomas Jones have another huge fantasy season? What do fantasy superstars like LaDainian... more

Donald Miralle / Getty Images Patriots quarterback Tom Brady missed most of last season after tearing his ACL against the Chiefs in Week 1. Patriots burning fantasy question: What sort of impact will Tom Brady make this season? Tom Brady had the best fantasy... more

Jamie Squire / Getty Images Bills running back Marshawn Lynch rushed for 1,036 yards and scored nine total touchdowns last season. Bills burning fantasy question: How does the suspension of Marshawn Lynch affect his value? Lynch has been labeled both a fantasy... more

Jeff Chiu / Associated Press 49ers running back Frank Gore rushed for 1,036 yards and scored eight touchdowns in 14 games last season. Whether it's Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte or Maurice Jones-Drew, featured running backs will come flying off the board in the... more

Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press Cardinals quarterbacks Matt Leinart (7) and Brian St. Pierre (2) are battling to back up starter Kurt Warner (13). The 2008 Arizona Cardinals were one of the best stories in recent NFL lore. The once laughable losers from the... more

Lynne Sladky / Associated Press Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown scored 10 rushing touchdowns in his first season back from ACL surgery. I have the fourth overall pick in the re-draft of a 12-team standard keeper league. I have to keep two players and will lose the... more

The National Football League has denied the appeal of Marshawn Lynch, who was looking to have his three-game suspension for the start of this season reduced. Lynch will be forced to miss games against the Patriots, Buccaneers and Saints before he's eligible to... more

Mark Duncan / Associated Press Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason posted 80 receptions for 1,037 yards with five touchdowns last season. The short-lived retirement of Derrick Mason ended over the weekend, as the veteran reported to Ravens training camp and informed... more

David Duprey / Associated Press Raiders running back Darren McFadden rushed for 499 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season. The 2008 fantasy football season saw a large number of rookies made an enormous impact. Matt Forte, Chris Johnson and Steve... more

Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press Cowboys running back Felix Jones (28) finished his rookie season with 266 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson are in Splitsville, Terrell Owens is in Buffalo, and the Cowboys offense is in a state of... more

Gregg Trott / Getty Images 49ers wide receiver Josh Morgan posted 20 receptions, 319 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season. When the word "wide receiver" is mentioned in the same sentence as the San Francisco 49ers, the first name that comes to mind... more

Greg Trott / Associated Press Vikings running back Adrian Peterson led the league with 1,760 rushing yards last season. I'm in a 10-team PPR keeper league. We can retain two players, but no more than one per position. I have both Matt Forte and Adrian Peterson... more

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson will be a first-round pick in most fantasy football drafts. The debate over LaDainian Tomlinson's value and draft position has become one of (if not the) biggest topic in fantasy football. ... more

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Will Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald be the next to succumb to the "Madden curse"? If you're an NFL fan or a fantasy football enthusiast, you've no doubt heard about the dreaded "Madden cover curse". Even... more

Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images Seahawks running back Julius Jones rushed for 698 yards and two touchdowns last season. Ricky Williams is my third running back. Even though he'll play second fiddle to Ronnie Brown in Miami, he put up respectable numbers last... more

Steve Dykes / Getty Images Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan will be seen as a viable No. 1 fantasy quarterback in most 2009 drafts. It's been a long (and painful) offseason for NFL and fantasy football enthusiasts, but the wait for a brand-new season is almost... more

Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com Steelers running back Willie Parker rushed for 791 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games last season. Do you think Willie Parker will be a solid No. 2 fantasy running back? He's in a contract year and I think he has more fantasy value... more

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Dolphins running back Ricky Williams found immense fantasy success in 2002, despite the lack of a solid quarterback. Fantasy footballers want all the information possible to help determine the stock of running backs. After all, chances are... more

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Saints running back Pierre Thomas helped countless fantasy football owners win a league title last season. Saints burning fantasy question: Is Pierre Thomas the real deal? Throughout the offseason, Saints coach Sean Payton... more

Phil Coale / Associated Press Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 824 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns last season. Jaguars burning fantasy question: Will Maurice Jones-Drew have a breakout season? Fantasy owners are always on the lookout... more

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams led his position in fantasy points on NFL.com last season. Panthers' burning fantasy question: Can DeAngelo Williams duplicate his 2008 success? Fantasy leaguers who landed Williams... more

Michael Conroy / Associated Press Colts running back Joseph Addai finished last season with just 544 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. Colts burning fantasy question: What value will Joseph Addai have in 2009? There were a high number of big-name... more

Jamie Squire / Getty Images Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger failed to meet the expectations of fantasy owners last season. Steelers burning fantasy question: Is Ben Roethlisberger still a starting fantasy quarterback? Ask the casual NFL fan if Ben... more

Jim Prisching / Getty Images Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is coming off his best statistical season at the NFL level, but that was in Denver. Bears' burning fantasy question: Is Jay Cutler still an elite fantasy quarterback? The Chicago Bears won the Jay... more

Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Giants wide receiver Domenik Hixon finished last season with 43 receptions, 596 yards and two touchdowns. Giants burning fantasy question: Which wide receiver will have the most draft value? Giants top five fantasy players 1.... more

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Eagles running back Brian Westbrook finished last season with 54 receptions and 14 total touchdowns. Eagles burning fantasy question: How will LeSean McCoy affect the value of Brian Westbrook? Eagles top-5 fantasy players 1.... more

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown rushed for 916 yards and scored 10 touchdowns last season. Dolphins burning fantasy question: Will Ronnie Brown have a breakout fantasy season in 2009? For the first seven weeks of the 2007... more

Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez has seen his stock rise with Marvin Harrison no longer in the mix. In the history of the National Football League, a number of wideouts have broken out to record career bests after two NFL seasons. That... more

Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images Redskins RB Clinton Portis had big numbers last season, but wear and tear makes him a risk for fantasy owners. Believe it or not, NFL training camps will start in just a few short weeks. Football fans, rejoice! That means the... more

Jim McIssac / Getty Images Eagles running back Brian Westbrook rushed for 936 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns in 14 games last season. I don't understand why no one is talking about Steven Jackson. In my opinion, an argument can be made that he should be... more

Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images Bears running back Matt Forte will be a surefire top-five pick in fantasy football drafts next season. I have the second overall selection in a standard scoring league. Assuming that Adrian Peterson will be taken first, I will have to... more

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown scored 10 touchdowns in his first season after reconstructive knee surgery. I need to keep two players from Ronnie Brown, Jay Cutler, Darren McFadden and Steve Slaton in a PPR league. Who should I... more

Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Lions running back Kevin Smith posted 39 catches, 1,262 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie. Lions' burning fantasy question: What sort of impact will Kevin Smith make in 2009? The 2008 Detroit Lions will forever... more

Rick Havner / Associated Press Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams led all running backs in fantasy points on NFL.com last season. Hey Michael, I was in three leagues last season and won all three championships with your help. Someone has offered me a trade and... more

Keith Srakocic / Associated Press Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis will lead a defensive unit will several new components, including the coordinator. Mike, I see that you have the Ravens defenses ranked No. 6, but other sites have it ranked closer to No. 2 with just... more

NFL.com Illustration Michael Turner, Larry Fitzgerald and Drew Brees are part of the new breed of superheroes in fantasy football. Lex Luthor can't win. The Joker will lose. Darth Vader goes down. And in fantasy football, the biggest stars will always be... more

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Cowboys running back Felix Jones will be seen as a potential fantasy sleeper in his second NFL season. Mike, here are three stone-cold locks for you this fantasy season: 1) Donald Brown will score more fantasy points than Joseph Addai;... more

Tom Gannam / Associated Press Despite his past injury woes, Rams running back Steven Jackson will be a surefire first-round pick in 2009 drafts. The NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror and most of the big free-agent names signed to new contracts, so we now have a... more

Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was never the same fantasy player after a loss in Super Bowl XL. Some people believe in curses, jinxes, hexes and the like, and some don't. But whether it's the Madden video-game... more

David Duprey / Getty Images Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens posted 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, but that was in Dallas. Is Terrell Owens still a No. 1 fantasy wide receiver? I have no doubt that his presence will help with value of Trent Edwards and... more

Jeff Gross / Getty Images Bears quarterback Jay Cutler finished last season with close to 4,600 passing yards and 27 total touchdowns. I know you're the expert, but I'm trying to figure out your logic. You say that Jay Cutler's presence in Chicago... more

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Bears running back Matt Forte developed into a tremendous No. 1 fantasy option in his rookie season. The NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror and most of the big free-agent names signed to new contracts, so we now have a much better... more

Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com Steelers running back Willie Parker should be seen as a viable No. 2 fantasy option next season. I'm trying to figure out the Steelers backfield situation. With Willie Parker's numbers going down last season, not to mention his... more

Mark Humphrey / Associated Press Guideline No. 1: Know the schedule. Titans RB Chris Johnson will open the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether you're an experienced veteran with a wealth of football knowledge or a wet-behind-the-ears rookie who knows... more

With the 2009 NFL Draft in the books, teams now hope to reap the benefits of the players they've selected in an effort to improve their chances at a Super Bowl run. The same holds true in fantasy football, as owners will look to add the best rookies possible to help... more

Matt York / Associated Press Vikings running back Adrian Peterson rushed for an impressive 1,760 yards in his second NFL season. Like so many people, I really enjoy your columns. I don't always agree, but it gives me something to think about. I'm in a... more

Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford will need time before warranting serious consideration in fantasy football. Do you think Matthew Stafford or Mark Sanchez can make the same sort of fantasy impact as Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco did last... more

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Raiders running back Darren McFadden failed to meet the expectations of fantasy leaguers in his rookie season. The NFL Draft is the one event on the offseason schedule where head coaches and general managers, for all intents and purposes,... more

Scott Almquist/AP Antonio Gates finished last season with 75 receptions, 984 yards and nine touchdowns. What do you think of the tight end position heading into this season, especially with Antonio Gates' toe issues? Do you think Jason Witten or Kellen Winslow... more

Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin could be flying to a new team if he's traded in the weeks to come. The trade winds are blowing in the National Football League, and some of the top wide receivers in fantasy football are at the... more

Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno is projected to be a first-round pick in April's NFL Draft. Rookies can be the difference between a competitive fantasy football team and one that wins a championship. That was never... more

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Edgerrin James recorded enormous numbers for fantasy leaguers in his first season out of the University of Miami. Rookie running backs can make an immense impact in the world of fantasy football. That was never more evident than last... more

Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Jay Cutler will take over the reins of a Bears offense with very few reliable weapons in its pass attack. The Chicago Bears have won the Jay Cutler sweepstakes, acquiring the quarterback from the Denver Broncos in a monumental deal. ... more

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams led his position in fantasy points on NFL.com last season. Hi Mike, it's never too early to think about the next fantasy season! What do you think of the backfield situation in Carolina? Will... more

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Bears linebacker Lance Briggs recorded 110 tackles, 10 passes defensed and three interceptions last season. Hi Mike, love your enthusiasm and the insight you bring each week. If I were logging on for the first time, I'd think we... more

Peter Brouillet / National Football League Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson finished his illustrious career with 13,259 rushing yards. Fantasy footballers are familiar with the trend of running backs breaking down and failing to meet expectations at the age... more

Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is back in the first two rounds of our three-round mock draft. The 2009 NFL offseason has been rampant with player movement, as prominent fantasy names such as Matt Cassel, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Terrell Owens... more

Jamie Squire / Getty Images Bills running back Marshawn Lynch finished last season with 1,036 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns. Hi Mike, love your tips and I can't wait for the new season to start! Anyway, what are the chances that Marshawn Lynch and... more

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo won't have Terrell Owens, now with the Bills, in the pass attack for 2009. What does the addition of Terrell Owens mean for the value of Trent Edwards and Lee Evans? -- J. Tansey, Atlanta, Ga. ... more

Elsa / Getty Images Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin caught 89 passes for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. I'm in a 10-team keeper league and can retain up to four players, but I lose the round of the players I keep. My choices are Clinton Portis... more

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has seen his seasonal and keeper value rise this offseason. I'm in a PPR keeper league and need to retain three players from Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Kurt Warner, Joseph Addai, Matt Forte,... more

Matt Sullivan / Getty Images Browns quarterback Derek Anderson was unable to meet the increased expectations of fantasy owners last season. If you've ever played fantasy football, you know how unpredictable it can be from one season to the next. That was... more

Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Cardinals running back Tim Hightower rushed for 399 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in his rookie season. Running backs have long been the lifeblood of fantasy football. That will never be more evident than in 2009 drafts, as the first... more

Jim Rogash / Getty Images Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler started his rise to fantasy stardom with a breakout season in 2008. Which quarterback would you pick first in a seasonal fantasy league, Jay Cutler or Philip Rivers? -- D. Griffith Michael Fabiano: Both... more

OK fantasy experts, it's your turn to shine ... again! Last week we asked for the personal tips, strategies and advice that has helped you find fantasy football success. Now we want to pick your brain on a different topic -- the best and worst moves you made in 2008. Did... more

Jim Rogash / Getty Images Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown rushed for 916 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2008.   We might be more than five months away from the start of training camps, but we here at NFL.com feel like it's never too soon to pull out the old... more

Okay, fantasy experts, it's your turn to shine! Our mission here at NFL.com is to help you become the most competitive fantasy owner possible in that ultimate quest for a championship, but we also know there are many of you out there who claim to be experts in your own right. ... more

The NFL's free-agent period starts on Feb. 27, and there are a few prominent fantasy names that could be on the move. As we learned from Michael Turner, Chad Pennington, Bernard Berrian and Warrick Dunn (to name a few) last season, players who change teams in the... more

Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be the most coveted player in 2009 fantasy drafts. The 2008 fantasy football season is in the rearview mirror, so now's the time to look ahead at what the first three rounds of the 2009... more

Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Brett Favre was one of the greatest fantasy quarterbacks of our era during his 18 NFL seasons. When it comes to Brett Favre and retirement, well, you never say never. But this sure looks like the end of his playing career in the... more

Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Rams RB Steven Jackson rushed for 1,042 yards and scored eight total touchdowns last season. What is the state of the Lions' quarterback position? How does it affect the value of Calvin Johnson? -- T.Wellington, Bay Area,... more

Rick Stewart / Getty Images Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino was a fantasy football superstar during his illustrious NFL career.   Being a fan of historical facts and statistical success, I decided to do a little research and create a one-man, three-round all-time mock... more

Red McLendon / Associated Press Bears running back Walter Payton was one of the greatest players to ever grace a football field.   The NFL Hall of Fame announced its 2009 inductees this past weekend, a list that included our own Rod Woodson. The 1993 NFL Defensive Player... more

Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press Tony Romo and Roy Williams would connect a lot more next season if the Cowboys release Terrell Owens. What can we expect from Braylon Edwards in 2009? -- J. Adamiec, Barrington, Ill. Michael Fabiano: I don't think Edwards... more

Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images Saints running back Pierre Thomas will have far more keeper value after his solid finish to the 2008 season. I'm in a 12-team dynasty league, and I love young running backs. Can you please give me your thoughts on Michael Bush,... more

George Rose / Getty Images 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice was a dominant force in his team's Super Bowl win over the San Diego Chargers. The value of wide receivers has increased in fantasy football in recent seasons, so it's no shock that two of the past... more

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Broncos running back Terrell Davis shredded the Green Bay Packers en route to a win in Super Bowl XXXII. Running backs have been considered the lifeblood of fantasy football, but a select few have found immense statistical success in... more

George Rose / Getty Images 49ers quarterback Steve Young found statistical gold against the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. In an effort to combine two of the greatest passions of sports fans -- the Super Bowl and fantasy football -- we've ranked the Top... more

Kevin Terrell / NFL.com Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be the first wideout taken in most fantasy drafts next season. I was just watching some of your fantasy videos and saw that you had Larry Fitzgerald ranked as the top wide receiver for 2009. But... more

Michael Turner became a hero for countless fantasy footballers in 2008. After four seasons in San Diego behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner signed with the Falcons as a free agent. For the first time in his NFL career, he was a featured back, and he thrived in the role. Turner... more

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams came out of nowhere to score 20 total touchdowns in 2008. "The Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl." I read it, I know it's true, but it's one of those statements... more

The waiver wire is one of the most important tools in building a championship-caliber fantasy football team. Season in and season out, a number of hidden gems are unearthed from the free-agent rubble that help fantasy leaguers in their ultimate quest for a league... more

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams came out of nowhere to score 20 total touchdowns in 2008. The 2008 fantasy football season was without question one of the strangest and most unpredictable ever. Fantasy leaguers who drafted... more

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals (Sun., 3:00 pm ET) Team Player Analysis Philadelphia Eagles Donovan McNabb Which Cardinals defense will show up this week? The one that allowed a league-high 36 passing TDs during the regular season, or the one that has been stout in the... more

Jeff Gross / Getty Images Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has lost quite a bit of his luster in most keeper leagues. I'm in a 12-team, PPR keeper league and need to retain three players from Calvin Johnson, Peyton Manning, Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton... more

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Cowboys tight end Jason Witten recorded 81 receptions, 952 yards and scored four touchdowns this season. Having a productive and consistent tight end on your fantasy roster is a real advantage in the quest for a league... more

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 4,038 yards and scored a combined 32 touchdowns in 2008. Michael, I need to retain two players from Matt Forte (Round 6), Ronnie Brown (Round 9), Aaron Rodgers (Round 11) and Antonio Bryant... more

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson didn't live up to his draft position in fantasy leagues. A running back who records 52 receptions, 1,536 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns is enough to make most fantasy owners... more

Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson recorded 1,575 yards and scored eight touchdowns this season. The value of wide receivers in fantasy football increased drastically after the 2007 season. Randy Moss established the record for... more

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (Sat., 4:30pm EST) Team Player Analysis Tennessee Titans Chris Johnson Fantasy points could be hard to come by in what looks like a defensive battle. Joe Flacco and Mark Clayton could struggle to produce, but Derrick Mason has been solid against his... more

It happened in the blink of an eye. Tom Brady dropped back to pass in the first quarter of New England's regular-season opener against Kansas City. He had completed seven of 11 passes for 76 yards and looked poised to shred the Chiefs. Then defensive... more

Did your fantasy football season end before you were ready to hang up the helmet and pads? Whether you lost to a team that had DeAngelo Williams or Kurt Warner cost you a chance at a title, NFL.com has the perfect solution for your fantasy blues. Welcome to the NFL.com Playoff... more

Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown for career highs in yards and touchdowns this season. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers Rivers has been an underrated fantasy star all season, and... more

Winslow Townson / Associated Press Patriots running back LaMont Jordan scored two touchdowns in a winter wonderland at Gillette Stadium. With the emergence of veterans like Brandon Jacobs, Thomas Jones, Michael Turner and DeAngelo Williams, not to mention rookies... more

Tom Dahlin / Getty Images Falcons running back Michael Turner has established himself as an elite option in all keeper leagues. Michael, your advice all season put me into the championship game, but I lost to DeAngelo Williams and his four touchdowns! Anyways, now I... more

Phil Coale / Associated Press Jaguars wide receiver Dennis Northcutt has been a fantasy football superstar in his last two games. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into the final week of the regular season. (Note --... more

Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: OUT -- LB Clark Haggans (foot), DE Travis LaBoy (ankle); QUESTIONABLE -- RB J.J. Arrington (knee), WR Anquan Boldin (shoulder), WR Early Doucet (hamstring), WR Sean Morey (shoulder), LB Pago Togafau (knee), S Adrian Wilson... more

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Saints running back Pierre Thomas has been one of the hottest players in fantasy football in recent weeks. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis New Orleans Saints Pierre Thomas Thomas has become a fantasy superstar in recent... more

Donald Miralle / Getty Images Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be one of the top keepers at his position heading into next season. Michael, your advice had put me into the championship game, but I'm already starting to think about next season!... more

Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch has recorded 164 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into fantasy football's championship week: ... more

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Saints RB Pierre Thomas ranks third in fantasy points among running backs on NFL.com since Week 11. Billy Volek. Samkon Gado ... Pierre Thomas? That's right, Thomas has become this season's Volek or Gado. You... more

Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona Cardinals Injuries: DOUBTFUL -- LB Clark Haggans (foot), LB Pago Togafau (knee); QUESTIONABLE -- DT Alan Branch (cheek), WR Steve Breaston (ribs), WR Sean Morey (shoulder), RB Terrelle Smith (not injury related); PROBABLE -- DE Bert Berry (shoulder), S... more

Sam Greenwood / Getty Images Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew has rushed for 607 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns this season. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Jacksonville Jaguars Maurice Jones-Drew Jones-Drew might be small in size, but he'll... more

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Falcons running back Michael Turner has rushed for an impressive 1,269 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. I need to start two running backs from Thomas Jones, Clinton Portis, Jonathan Stewart and Michael Turner. I'm worried about... more

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images 49ers running back Frank Gore had 65 scrimmage yards and one touchdown before being injured. Injuries are a part of the NFL and fantasy football. Unfortunately for countless owners, a number of prominent running backs picked a bad... more

Andy Lyons/Getty Images Colts running back Dominic Rhodes (38) could be a nice flex starter for fantasy leaguers in Week 15. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 15 of the fantasy season. Tatum Bell, RB,... more

Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona Cardinals Injuries: DOUBTFUL -- LB Pago Togafau (knee), S Matt Ware (head); QUESTIONABLE -- LB Clark Haggans (foot), CB Roderick Hood (ribs), C Lyle Sendlein (back); PROBABLE -- WR Anquan Boldin (back), S Adrian Wilson (shoulder). Analysis:... more

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images Vikings running back Adrian Peterson could score more fantasy points than any other player in Week 14. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson Peterson is the obvious choice as this week's top... more

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Broncos rookie running back Peyton Hillis has developed into a valuable option in fantasy football. I need to start three running backs from Chris Johnson, Peyton Hillis, Michael Turner and Brian Westbrook. My gut is telling me to go with... more

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press Redskins running back Clinton Portis is dealing with multiple injuries heading into the fantasy playoffs. Talk about a conundrum. Clinton Portis was the best running back in fantasy football in the first half of the season. He... more

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was putting up huge fantasy numbers before an injured knee sidelined him. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 14 of the fantasy season. Davone... more

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is having the best fantasy season of his entire NFL career. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams Williams, who ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards, has... more

Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Team Injuries/Analysis Atlanta Falcons Injuries: OUT -- T Sam Baker (hip, back), WR Laurent Robinson (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE -- DE John Abraham (neck), T Todd Weiner (knee), LB Keith Brooking (knee), K Jason Elam (left hip), WR Brian Finneran (hamstring), DT Grady... more

Bill Waugh / Associated Press Titans rookie running back Chris Johnson has rushed for 833 yards and scored six touchdowns this season. Which running back do I start in Week 13: Justin Fargas or Chris Johnson? Has Johnson hit the rookie wall? He hasn't done much... more

Doug Benc/Getty Images Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel has done his best Tom Brady impersonation over the last two weeks. If I had told you back in the preseason that a Patriots quarterback would lead countless fantasy owners into the playoffs, it wouldn't have... more

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Jets running back Leon Washington has recorded 31 receptions and six total touchdowns this season. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 13 of the fantasy season. Kerry Collins, QB,... more

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has a chance to score more fantasy points than any other player in Week 12. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Indianapolis Colts Peyton Manning Manning is back after a very slow start, throwing... more

Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona Cardinals Injuries: QUESTIONABLE -- LB Clark Haggans (foot), CB Roderick Hood (not injury related), DE Travis LaBoy (ankle); PROBABLE -- DT Darnell Dockett (hamstring), T Mike Gandy (ankle), CB Eric Green (knee). Analysis: The Cardinals have... more

Jeff Gross/Getty Images Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen has established himself as a valuable fantasy starter in recent weeks. Which quarterback should I start from Trent Edwards, Joe Flacco, Kyle Orton and Tyler Thigpen? -- J. Urban, Manhattan, Kan. Michael... more

Al Bello/Getty Images Jets rookie tight end Dustin??Keller has been a big source of points for fantasy leaguers in recent weeks. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 12 of the fantasy season. Deion Branch,... more

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin has been one of the hottest players in fantasy football since Week 8. A number of prominent fantasy wide receivers have been unreliable and unproductive this season. Randy Moss has been a... more

Doug Benc/Getty Images Falcons running back Michael Turner has been a virtual touchdown machine at the Georgia Dome this season. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Atlanta Falcons Michael Turner The man nicknamed "Burner" has established... more

Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: QUESTIONABLE -- CB Eric Green (knee), CB Roderick Hood (ribs); PROBABLE -- T Mike Gandy (ankle), TE Ben Patrick (knee), TE Leonard Pope (ankle), TE Jerame Tuman (ankle). Analysis: Pope put in a full practice and is listed... more

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Philip Rivers has scored more fantasy points than every other player based on NFL.com's standard scoring system. Which quarterback should I start from Jake Delhomme or Philip Rivers? Also, who should I choose at running back from... more

Thursday, Nov. 13 Team Injuries/Analysis New England??Patriots Injuries: DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE -- LB Adalius Thomas (forearm), CB Terrence Wheatley (wrist), RB LaMont Jordan (calf), CB Lewis Sanders (hamstring); LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE -- LB Eric Alexander... more

Getty Images Quarterback brothers Peyton and Eli??Manning were both better than the difficult matchups they faced in Week 10. The brothers Manning, Eli and Peyton, reminded fantasy leaguers that you can't always play the matchups and expect results. ... more

Al Bello/Getty Images Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has thrown for 656 yards and two touchdowns in four games this season. Here's a quick look at 10 players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 11 of the fantasy season. Bobby Engram,... more

Donald Miralle / Getty Images LaDainian Tomlinson has struggled this season, but he has a good chance of returning to his old form in Week 10. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson Running back Fantasy leaguers who... more

Byes: Cincinnati, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Washington. Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: QUESTIONABLE -- T Mike Gandy (ankle), CB Eric Green (knee), DE Travis LaBoy (groin), TE Ben Patrick (knee), TE Leonard Pope (ankle); PROBABLE -- WR Sean Morey (hamstring), TE... more

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images Joe Flacco threw for 248 yards against the Cleveland Browns and has scored four touchdowns in his last two starts. Let's start off the week with a little fantasy football trivia. What did fantasy stars Jay Cutler, Eli Manning and Aaron... more

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images Aaron Rodgers has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in fantasy football this season. Which quarterback should I start from Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan? -- J. Wanser, San Diego, Calif. Michael Fabiano: Ryan has... more

Jim Mone / Associated Press Sage Rosenfels threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota in the absence of Matt Schaub. Here's a quick look at 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire heading into Week 10. Greg Camarillo, WR, Miami: He... more

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner ranks an impressive fourth in fantasy points on NFL.com after eight weeks. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Arizona Cardinals Kurt Warner Quarterback How good has Warner been in 2008?... more

Byes: Carolina, New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco. Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: OUT -- TE Leonard Pope (ankle); QUESTIONABLE -- TE Ben Patrick (knee), DE Travis LaBoy (groin), WR Early Doucet (groin), CB Eric Green (knee), WR Sean Morey... more

Jim Rogash/Getty Images Despite his recent struggles, Ronnie Brown is a solid starting option for fantasy leaguers this week. Which two running backs should I start from Ronnie Brown, Matt Forte and Maurice Jones-Drew? -- M. Dillman, Arkansas Michael Fabiano:... more

Stu Forster/Getty Images LaDainian Tomlinson went overseas to reverse his fantasy fortunes, shining in front of the fans at Wembley Stadium. Everyone loses faith sometimes. It's human nature. So when LaDainian Tomlinson went three consecutive weeks... more

Steven Senne / Associated Press Donnie Avery has made a significant impact for fantasy leaguers in recent weeks. Here's a quick look at 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 9. Shaun Alexander, RB, Washington: With Ladell... more

Al Bello/Getty Images Thomas Jones had 113 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in his last game against the Chiefs. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis New York Jets Thomas Jones Running back Jones' matchup this week couldn't be more favorable, as... more

Byes: Chicago, Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota. Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: OUT -- TE Leonard Pope (ankle); QUESTIONABLE -- WR Anquan Boldin (head), S Aaron Francisco (thigh), DE Travis LaBoy (groin), TE Ben Patrick (knee). Analysis: Boldin was... more

Jamie Squire/Getty Images Chris Johnson is on pace to rush for 1,464 yards with 11 total touchdowns. Which two running backs should I start from Marion Barber, Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton? -- C. Culpepper, Raleigh, N.C. Michael Fabiano: Despite the absence... more

Rick Stewart/Associated Press LaDainian??Tomlinson rushed for a mere 41 yards and failed to score a touchdown in a loss to Buffalo. I've been dealing with a bit of a guilty conscience today. In all of my chats and mailbags last week, I told fantasy... more

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images Donnie Avery has become a much bigger part of the Rams offense in recent weeks. Here's a quick look at 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 8. Donnie Avery, WR, St. Louis: Avery is starting to... more

Marc Serota/Getty Images Brett Favre has thrown for 1,124 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis New York Jets Brett Favre Quarterback Favre is coming off a mediocre performance against the Bengals, but he'll... more

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Terrell Owens has been inconsistent, but he's still fifth in fantasy points among wide receivers on NFL.com. Which two running backs should I start from Marion Barber, Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton? They all have great matchups! --... more

Byes: Arizona, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Philadelphia. Team Injuries/Analysis Baltimore??Ravens Injuries: OUT -- S Dawan Landry (neck), CB Samari Rolle (shoulder, neck), WR Yamon Figurs (knee), T Adam Terry (knee); QUESTIONABLE -- S Ed Reed (hamstring), WR Demetrius Williams... more

Doug Benc/Associated Press Countless fantasy football owners have been reduced to starting Gus Frerotte this season. Matt Cassel is not a good fantasy quarterback. I said it every week leading up to Week 6, when he was slated to face San Diego's 32-ranked... more

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Jason Elam has re-emerged into one of the top kickers in fantasy football. Here's a quick look at 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire coming off of Week 6. Bernard Berrian, WR, Minnesota: Berrian has been one of... more

Chris Graythen/Getty Images Adrian Peterson has scored in just one of his last four games, but that should change against Detroit. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson Running back Peterson is an obvious starter for... more

Byes: Buffalo, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Tennessee. Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: OUT -- WR Anquan Boldin (head); DOUBTFUL -- TE Ben Patrick (knee); QUESTIONABLE -- DE Bertrand Berry (groin), CB Eric Green (groin), LB Clark Haggans (groin), CB Roderick... more

Doug Benc/Getty Images LaDainian Tomlinson has scored four touchdowns this season, but he's averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. Which two running backs should I start from Ronnie Brown, Steven Jackson and LaDainian Tomlinson? Also, should I start Brett Favre or... more

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images DeAngelo Williams was a fantasy football superstar in Week 5. Here's a quick look at 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire as we head into Week 6. Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis: Consider this a reminder that Bulger is... more

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Randy Moss hauls in a 66-yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassel in a win over San Francisco. Matchups, matchups, matchups. Playing them right can be the difference between winning and losing in fantasy football. If you started Kyle... more

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Marion Barber has rushed for 311 yards and four touchdowns this season. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Dallas Cowboys Marion Barber Running back Barber saw a mere eight carries last week in a loss to Washington. That... more

Byes: Cleveland, New York Jets, Oakland, St. Louis. Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: OUT -- WR Anquan Boldin (head); DOUBTFUL -- DE Bert Berry (groin); QUESTIONABLE -- TE Leonard Pope (ankle), TE Jerame Tuman (hamstring), S Adrian Wilson (hamstring);... more

Here's 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire heading into Week 5. Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona: Breaston posted a team-high nine catches for 122 yards in a 56-35 loss to the New York Jets. If Anquan Boldin is forced to miss any time after his helmet-to-helmet collision... more

Chris McGrath/Getty Images Brett Favre's six-TD performance came out of nowhere, but it was a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners. Mike, Brett Favre as a sit 'em last week! Not good. Glad I played him instead of Kerry Collins! (I'm a big fan, just... more

Chris McGrath/Getty Images Brett Favre threw six touchdowns in a game for the first time in his career. The weather outside was frightful. Well, at least it was until a few hours before the start of the Cardinals-Jets game at Giants Stadium. But as if planned... more

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Reggie Bush will be the centerpiece of the Saints' offensive attack this week. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis New Orleans Saints Reggie Bush Running back Bush has been an absolute beast in fantasy land this season, and... more

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images Anquan Boldin is off to a fast start for fantasy owners this season. "Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria!" -- Dr. Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters. Ok, so the strange start to this season doesn't... more

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images J.T. O'Sullivan has a ton of starting value this week with six teams on a bye. I know you always suggest that people to start their studs, but I'm having a hard time deciding between Ben Roethlisberger and J.T. O'Sullivan this... more

Byes: Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami, New England, New York Giants, Seattle. Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Injuries: OUT -- DE Bertrand Berry (groin); DOUBTFUL -- TE Jerame Tuman (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE -- WR Sean Morey (Achilles), DT Gabe Watson (knee), S Adrian... more

Here's a quick look at 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire heading into Week 4. Antonio Bryant, WR, Tampa Bay: Bryant made some serious noise in the absence of Joey Galloway with 10 catches and 138 yards in an overtime win over the Chicago Bears. A former 1,000-yard... more

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images Anquan Boldin is off to a fast start for fantasy owners this season. "Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria! -- Dr. Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters. Ok, so the strange start to this season doesn't... more

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Brandon Marshall exploded for 18 catches, 166 yards and one touchdown last week. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Denver Broncos Brandon Marshall Wide receiver Are we a week late with this one? Maybe, but did you see what... more

I have to chuckle when I see other fantasy experts rating their predictions week in and week out. I've never been one to boast about who's right and who's wrong in the business (unless you call Eli Manning a sleeper against the St. Louis Rams...come on!), because correctly... more

Jim Rogash/Getty Images There are no guarantees with Randy Moss now that Matt Cassel at the helm of the Patriots' offense. Should I start Randy Moss or Steve Smith in Week 2? -- M. Liszewski, Fremont, Calif. Michael Fabiano: I can't believe I'm... more

Byes: None Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona Cardinals Injuries: DOUBTFUL -- TE Jerame Tuman (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE -- DE Travis LaBoy (ankle); PROBABLE -- WR Steve Breaston (hamstring), T Levi Brown (knee), DT Gabe Watson (knee). Analysis: Brown put in a full... more

Here's a quick look at 10 fantasy players to target off the waiver wire after Week 2. Bills defense: The Bills defense has produced two consecutive solid performances for fantasy owners, so it's time to consider it a viable option in all formats. The presence of DT Marcus... more

Paul Sancya/Associated Press Ryan Grant (25) averaged 7.7 yards per carry in last week's win over the Minnesota Vikings. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Green Bay Packers Ryan Grant Running back The Packers have limited Grant in practice this... more

Byes: Baltimore, Houston Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona Cardinals Injuries: Doubtful -- TE Jerame Tuman (hamstring); Questionable -- DT Gabe Watson (knee); Probable -- DT Alan Branch (ankle). Analysis: No significant injuries. Team ... more

The world of fantasy football took an enormous hit this weekend, as Tom Brady sustained a severe left knee injury that will force him to miss the rest of the season. Last season's fantasy hero, Brady threw for over 4,800 yards and recorded 52 total touchdowns in what was one of... more

The first week of the season saw a number of solid performances from running backs. In fact, a total of five runners finished in the top 10 in fantasy points on NFL.com. What a difference a week makes. There wasn't a single back in the top 10 in Week 2. Clinton Portis was... more

The loss of Tom Brady for the rest of 2008 was without question the most notable event of the opening week, but it wasn't the lone event that affects fantasy football. In fact, there was a significant trend that was the exact opposite of how a lot of drafts transpired: Running... more

Andy Lyons/Getty Images Matt Forte rushed for 123 yards and 1 touchdown in his regular-season debut. I'm not sure who to start this week between Joseph Addai and Matt Forte. I sat Forte last week only to see him explode against Indianapolis, while Addai did... more

Here's a quick look at 10 players who should be targeted from off the waiver wire this week. Matt Cassel, QB, New England: NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Tom Brady is out for the season with a severe knee injury, so it looks like Cassel will have the keys to the... more

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Marion Barber should find the end zone at least once against the Cleveland Browns. Start of the Week Team Player Analysis Dallas Cowboys Marion Barber Running back There might not be a more underrated running back in fantasy football than... more

Byes: None Sept. 7-8 Team Injuries/Analysis Arizona??Cardinals Doubtful -- DT Alan Branch (ankle), C Al Johnson (knee), DT Gabe Watson (knee); Questionable -- TE Jerame Tuman (hamstring); Probable -- T Mike Gandy (knee), TE Ben Patrick (ankle). Analysis: No... more

Doug Benc/Getty Images Marshawn Lynch will be the centerpiece of Buffalo's offensive attack. There was a huge run on top-end running backs in my draft, so I ended up with Marshawn Lynch, Matt Forte, Michael Turner and Selvin Young. Do you see a solid No. 2 back... more

The value of running backs did lose some of its steam last season, but it remains the most important position in fantasy football. That will be evident in the first two rounds of drafts, which will be littered with superstar runners like LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Brian Westbrook,... more

If you want to have the most successful fantasy football draft possible, it's more than just knowing player values and potential sleepers and busts. You also need an intimate knowledge of the bye weeks. Listed in the left column of Table 1 are the quarterbacks and... more

Marc Serota/Getty Images Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has rushed for 1,000 or more yards four times at the NFL level. The NFL's regular season is almost upon us (insert cheers and rah rahs here!), so it's time to look at which players saw the... more

The word "sleeper" has several definitions. But in the world of fantasy football, it refers to a player who comes out of nowhere and exceeds statistical expectations. The 2007 NFL season was a virtual cornucopia of sleepers, as Derek Anderson, David Garrard, Earnest Graham,... more

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images There's a chance Chris Taylor could see a prominent role in Houston. There are several backfields that are destined to give fantasy footballers headaches all season. The one in Houston is high on that list. One of the... more

Michael Fabiano breaks down all the offseason player movement and examines the fantasy implications. Quarterbacks Team Player Analysis New Orleans Saints Mark Brunell Once considered a solid No. 1 fantasy quarterback, Brunell has seen his value fall in recent seasons. Buried... more

The NFL's regular-season schedule is right around the corner, as the Washington Redskins and New York Giants will soon do battle at Giants Stadium. With the season so close at hand, fantasy drafts will be rampant across the world over the next week. In order to further prepare you... more

The term "bust" is the ugliest four-letter word in fantasy football. Of course, owners who drafted Shaun Alexander or Larry Johnson last season probably used other four-letters words to describe their decision. But whether or not a player is actually a bust is relative to his... more

There has been some debate in the world of fantasy football about the difference between a breakout candidate and a sleeper, but it's not that difficult to understand. Breakouts differ from sleepers in that the latter are defined as less-prominent players who could exceed their... more

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Kurt Warner threw for 3,417 yards and scored 28 total touchdowns last season. Does Rudi Johnson have much draft value this season? What do you think will happen with the quarterback situation in Arizona? Also, what sort of numbers do you... more

If you're one of the 15 million people who participated in the fantasy football craze last season, we've got a brand-new game to wrap your brain around. Welcome to the NFL Touchdown Challenge! The object of the NFL Touchdown Challenge is to accrue the highest number of... more

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Peyton Manning threw for 4,040 yards and scored 34 total touchdowns last season. The status of Peyton Manning has been a huge topic of conversation in fantasy football circles in recent weeks. The All-Pro quarterback underwent a... more

Greg Trott/Getty Images Frank Gore caught 53 passes and rushed for 1,102 yards and five touchdowns last season. The third week of the preseason is the most significant if you're a fantasy football fanatic, because it's the week when coaches let their... more

If you're one of the 15 million people who participated in the fantasy football craze last season, we've got a brand-new game to quench your NFL thirst. Welcome to the NFL Playbook Challenge presented by Diet Pepsi Max! The object of the NFL Playbook Challenge is to... more

Running backs take more physical punishment than any other offensive skill position, so it's no shock that some tend to break down once they close in on the age of 30. Throughout the history of the NFL, even the best backs have seen their numbers fall closer to their 30th... more

It's human nature for fantasy football owners to have short memories. But that "what have you done for me lately" attitude is exactly how potential draft values are conceived. Simply because a player failed to meet statistical expectations, suffered injuries that limited... more

The vast majority of rookies will fail to make much statistical noise in fantasy football, but there are a select few with skills and abilities to make an immediate impact. Whether it's been Edgerrin James, Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, Anquan Boldin or Randy Moss, the additon... more

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 100,000 Americans tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) every year. Ligament tears and other knee injuries have long been a point of contention in the determination of value in the world of fantasy football,... more

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Steven Jackson rushed for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games last season. Fantasy footballers should remember this date: Aug. 20, 2008. It was the day that Steven Jackson decided to end his 27-day holdout and report to... more

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images Peyton Manning threw for 4,040 yards and scored 34 total touchdowns last season. Peyton Manning appears to be on schedule in his recovery from surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee, but there is at least some... more

Al Bello/Getty Images Thomas Jones recorded 28 receptions, 1,336 scrimmage yards and two total touchdowns last season. Why aren't more people on the Thomas Jones bandwagon after the addition of Brett Favre? He's an everydown back with a much improved... more

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images T.J. Houshmandzadeh (84) and Chad Johnson (85) are both dealing with preseason injuries. Chad Johnson went up for a pass from Carson Palmer during the first offensive series of Sunday night's preseason contest against Detroit. ... more

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Reggie Wayne had the best fantasy season of his NFL career last season I have the No. 9 overall selection in a 12-team draft. What positions should I target? I was thinking about going after a running back in the first round and then a... more

Depth chart battles in training camp are one of the most important things to monitor if you're a fantasy football enthusiast. So with the first round of preseason contests over and three weeks left until kickoff, it's time to take a look at some of the more important competitions... more

Depth chart battles in training camp are one of the most important things to monitor if you're a fantasy football enthusiast. So with the first round of preseason contests over and three weeks left until kickoff, it's time to take a look at some of the more important competitions... more

Scott Boehm/Associated Press Aaron Rodgers looked like a polished veteran in his preseason debut for the Green Bay Packers. Lost in all the Brett Favre madness over the past several weeks is a quarterback named Aaron Rodgers. The new starter in Green Bay... more

Schedule analysis can also be valuable in the world of fantasy football. Rather than calculate wins and losses, we've added up the opposition's 2007 defensive rank against the pass and the run. For example, if a team has Minnesota (32nd vs. pass) and Detroit (31st vs. pass) on its... more

Rob Carr/Associated Press Willis McGahee has seen limited work in training camp because of a tender left knee. Willis McGahee's left knee has been a problem throughout training camp. So when word came down that he needs an arthroscopic procedure to... more

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images Brett Favre is trading in his Green Bay green and yellow for the green and white of the New York Jets. The Brett Favre saga is finally over. The Green Bay Packers have traded the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback to the New York... more

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Ben Roethlisberger was one of the top quarterbacks in fantasy football last season. I'm in a 10-team keeper league and need to retain two players from Ben Roethlisberger, Edgerrin James, Thomas Jones, Jamal Lewis, Chad Johnson, Chris... more

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Willie Parker rushed for an impressive 1,316 yards last season, but he scored just two touchdowns. Willie Parker was seen as a surefire first-round selection in all fantasy football drafts last season. But after finding the end... more

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Steve Smith recorded 87 receptions, 1,002 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Steve Smith is one of the top 10 wide receivers in fantasy football. Well, at least he was until he engaged in a violent altercation with one of his... more

Schedule analysis can also be valuable in the world of fantasy football. Rather than calculate wins and losses, we've added up the opposition's 2007 defensive rank against the pass and the run. For example, if a team has Miami (32nd vs. run) and Oakland (31st vs. run) on its... more

Rogelio V. Solis/AP Deuce McAllister is coming back from his second reconstructive knee surgery in three years. Marshall Faulk. Gale Sayers. LaDainian Tomlinson. Those were just of a few of the running backs that Reggie Bush was being compared to coming out... more

Scott Almquist/AP Antonio Gates has averaged over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns over the past three seasons. Unless you're new to the National Football League and fantasy football, you probably know that Antonio Gates is the king of the tight end position. ... more

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Selvin Young's value is on the rise, but he's still no lock to be Denver's featured back this season. Whenever a new face emerges in the Denver Broncos backfield, it attracts fantasy football owners like a blue light attracts... more

Ben Margot/AP Darren McFadden will be the first rookie selected in most fantasy football drafts. Are there any rookies out there this season who can make the same sort of impact as Adrian Peterson? Thanks! -- T. Hunter, North Dakota Michael Fabiano: Rookie... more

Jim Rogash/Getty Images Laurence Maroney remains the starter in New England, but the addition of LaMont Jordan hurts his value. Laurence Maroney was considered a potential breakout candidate in fantasy football this season. But after the addition of veteran runner... more

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images Edgerrin James rushed for 1,222 yards and seven touchdowns in Arizona last season. Edgerrin James doesn't believe his level of production will suddenly fall just because he's turning 30 this week. Really, he can't afford... more

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images The Houston Texans sized up their divisional competition and selected DE Mario Williams in 2005. In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans were lambasted for taking Mario Williams ahead of Reggie Bush with the first overall selection. ... more

While a great number of fantasy football leagues are seasonal, keeper leagues have become much more popular across the fantasy landscape in recent seasons. These leagues are more in-depth and include a greater long-term commitment. Rather than base value on talent and statistical... more

While a great number of fantasy football leagues are seasonal, keeper leagues have become much more popular across the fantasy landscape in recent seasons. These leagues are more in-depth and include a greater long-term commitment. Rather than base value on talent and statistical... more

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Devin Hester (23) will see more time at the wide receiver position for Chicago this season. Hi Michael, I'm in a standard NFL.com league and drafted a solid set of receivers that includes Dwayne Bowe, Bobby Engram, James Hardy and... more

Fantasy football owners love it when their running backs rush for 150 yards and two touchdowns. But the true test of a player's value exists not in one performance but in his level of consistent production. With that in mind, we've examined which players were the most... more

While a great number of fantasy football leagues are seasonal, keeper leagues have become much more popular across the fantasy landscape in recent seasons. These leagues are more in-depth and include a greater long-term commitment. Rather than base value on talent and statistical... more

While a great number of fantasy football leagues are seasonal, keeper leagues have become much more popular across the fantasy landscape in recent seasons. These leagues are more in-depth and include a greater long-term commitment. Rather than base value on talent and statistical... more

Fantasy football owners love it when their quarterback throws for 350 yards and four touchdowns. But the true test of a player's value exists not in one performance but in his level of consistent production. With that in mind, we've examined which players were the most... more

Fantasy football owners love it when their wide receivers record 150 yards and one touchdown. But the true test of a player's value exists not in one performance but in his level of consistent production. With that in mind, we've examined which players were the most... more

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Torry Holt has averaged 99.8 receptions and scored a combined 48 touchdowns since 2003. Where does Torry Holt belong on draft boards? What do you expect from him this season? -- D. Gill, Pittsburgh, Pa. Michael Fabiano: Holt has... more

Fantasy football owners love it when their defense finds the end zone and creates multiple turnovers and sacks. But the true test of a player's value exists not in one performance but in his level of consistent production. With that in mind, we've examined which players were... more

Fantasy football owners love it when their kickers boot three field goals and double-digit points. But the true test of a player's value exists not in one performance but in his level of consistent production. With that in mind, we've examined which players were the most... more

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Calvin Johnson recorded 48 receptions, 756 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season. Do you think Calvin Johnson will become an elite fantasy wide receiver in his second NFL season, much like Larry Fitzgerald did opposite Anquan... more

Success in fantasy football is all about information, knowledge, research and sometimes experimentation. Back when I was with CBS, I would abandon the usual "take a running back in the first round" strategy and experiment with another approach in at least one mock draft with... more

Fantasy football owners love it when their tight end records 80 yards and one touchdown. But the true test of a player's value exists not in one performance but in his level of consistent production. With that in mind, we've examined which players were the most consistent last... more

Success in the NFL can be difficult to achieve unless a team works together as a cohesive unit. After all, pro football is the ultimate team sport. In the world of fantasy football, we cheer for heroes such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson and Randy Moss to fill the stat... more

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Antonio Cromartie is a stud cornerback, but won't be considered an elite option in most IDP leagues. Hi Michael, I was reading through your IDP rankings for defensive backs, and I didn't see Antonio Cromartie, DeAngelo Hall or... more

Next page >>> Tuesday, June 24, 2008 The Mike Martz effect I have long been a follower of trends when it comes to the world of fantasy football. It's always been an interesting and legitimate tool in the determination of a player's overall draft value. ... more

Streeter Lecka /Getty Images Tom Brady's incredible 2007 season ended with a "Giant" thud in Super Bowl XLII.   Tom Brady is the Golden Boy, the new Stetson man, a three-time Super Bowl champion and the significant other of Victoria's Secret supermodel... more

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Marion Barber has scored 28 total touchdowns over the past two seasons. I'm in a 12-team PPR league that also rewards points for passing attempts, completions and rushing attempts. I can retain two from Peyton Manning, Marion Barber,... more

Chris Trotman/Getty Images Derek Anderson threw for 3,787 yards with 29 touchdown passes last season. What sort of numbers can Derek Anderson produce in Cleveland this season? Is he the real deal or a one-season wonder? I feel like he's a bit of a risk in... more

Hey Michael, I love reading your opinions and strategies, most of which I agree with. I was curious to know how running backs usually fair in the season following a bad knee injury (or surgery). I'm referring of course to Ronnie Brown, Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and Cadillac Williams.... more

With most of the top free agents signed and the rookie draft over, fantasy football owners now know what most NFL rosters will look like heading into the 2008 season. As a result, here's the May version of our one-man, three-round mock draft. While the running back position did... more

Fantasy footballers want all the information possible to help determine the stock of running backs. Whether it's trends, depth-chart movement or personnel changes, there are a number of different components that can affect a runner's value. An effective quarterback... more

The Denver backfield has been a good place to find fantasy sleepers and studs in the past, but what does the addition of Michael Pittman do to the value of Travis Henry, Selvin Young and Ryan Torain? Is it better to avoid these backs altogether now? -- J. Carter, Reading, Mass. ... more

Who are the top defensive units in fantasy football for 2008? What about sleepers or busts? -- T. Rossini Michael Fabiano: With DE Jared Allen now on the roster, it's hard not to love the Vikings defense next season. I have them ranked first ahead of the Chargers, Patriots,... more

I saw your sleepers column and noticed Shaun Hill was the lone quarterback on the list. What about John Beck or Aaron Rodgers? -- C. Livermore, Green Bay, Wis. Michael Fabiano: When I put that column together, I wanted to avoid some of the more obvious players. After all, a sleeper... more

Michael Fabiano breaks down all the latest team news and notes and examines the fantasy implications. Team Player Analysis St. Louis Rams Steven Jackson Running back The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Rams have not approached Jackson about a contract extension, but he... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the NFC South rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan QB, Boston College The Falcons selected their franchise quarterback in Ryan, who has some definite keeper and dynasty league... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the NFC East rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Dallas Cowboys Felix Jones RB, Arkansas Jones is a perfect complement for incumbent starter Marion Barber and should see 10-15 carries a week.... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the NFC North rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Chicago Bears Chris Williams OT, Vanderbilt The Bears needed to improve their offensive line in the draft, and the selection of Williams was a nice start.... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the AFC North rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Baltimore Ravens Joe Flacco QB, Delaware The Ravens traded up in the first round to land Flacco, who is seen as their quarterback of the future. But while... more

Which rookie quarterback has the most long-term fantasy value? -- B. Lazaruk, Canada Michael Fabiano: Ask any NFL general manager, and he'll tell you it can be impossible to predict the success of a quarterback at the pro level. In fact, it seems that for every Peyton Manning... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the AFC East rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Buffalo Bills Leodis McKelvin CB, Troy McKelvin was the first cornerback selected in the draft and will be looked on to make an immediate impact in the Bills... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the AFC South rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Houston Texans Duane Brown OT, Virginia Tech The Texans took Brown, a converted tight end, in the first round to improve their offensive line. He's a... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the AFC West rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Denver Broncos Ryan Clady OT, Boise State Clady was considered one of the top offensive tackles in the draft, and he'll be a perfect fit for Denver's... more

I'm in a keeper league that allows us to retain three players, but we lose the round of the players we hold. I have Adrian Peterson (first round), Randy Moss (third round), Reggie Wayne (fourth round) and Jamal Lewis (fifth round). I realize A.P. and Moss are no-brainers, but I'm not... more

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano breaks down the NFC West rookies and all the fantasy implications. Team Top pick Analysis Arizona Cardinals Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB, Tennessee St. Rodgers-Cromartie will have a legitimate chance to start with Antrel Rolle moving to the... more

We're less than one week from the 2008 NFL Draft. It's one of the most important events on the NFL schedule, as teams attempt to find the next Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson or Joe Thomas and avoid the Ryan Leafs, Ki-Jana Carters and Tony Mandarichs of the world. ... more

With all of this talk about the NFL Draft, it's natural for fantasy football owners to get a little bit fired up for another NFL season. Being a fan of historical facts and statistical success, I decided to do a little research and create the first-ever one-man, three-round,... more

In a move that shouldn't come as a shock to fantasy football owners, the Seattle Seahawks have decided to release Shaun Alexander after eight seasons with the team. Whether it was age, injuries, the loss of OG Steve Hutchinson or some combination of the three, Alexander's... more

I used my first-round draft pick on Larry Johnson last season. As a lot of fantasy owners know, he was an enormous disappointment. Is it a mistake to take a chance on a rookie such as Darren McFadden ahead a back like Johnson or Steven Jackson in 2008? Do you think his college skills will... more

In what was a surprise announcement, Steve McNair decided to retire from the National Football League. From a fantasy perspective, the 13-year veteran out of Alcorn State had a slow start to his career. He sat behind Chris Chandler for his first two seasons with the Houston Oilers,... more

What's the latest on Cincinnati's backfield situation? I still need to make a decision on Edgerrin James or Rudi Johnson in our 12-team keeper league. Thanks! -- L. Calabrese, New York, N.Y. Michael Fabiano: Johnson, 28, has recovered from the injured hamstring that hindered... more

The name Jake Delhomme doesn't incite a lot of excitement in fantasy football. The veteran out of Louisiana-Lafayette was buried on the New Orleans depth chart for the first five seasons of his NFL career, and he didn't have much value until he went to Carolina. While he did... more

I'm in a 10-team IDP keeper league and need to retain two defenders from Chad Greenway, David Harris, Aaron Kampman and Patrick Willis. Suggestions? -- L. Martin, St. Louis, Mo. Michael Fabiano: Willis had an incredible rookie season in San Francisco with 174 total tackles (135... more

Derek Anderson. Earnest Graham. Ryan Grant. These players were three of the top sleepers of the 2007 fantasy football season. Owners who were able to land one of these free-agent treasures off waivers increased their chances to climb to the top of the fantasy football mountain and... more

If Chris Henry were a cat, well in this case a Bengal, he would now have used up all nine of his NFL lives. The Cincinnati Bengals were swift with their decision to release the controversial Henry, who has found himself in trouble with the law once again. Henry has been accused of... more

What sort of value will Joseph Addai have in 2008? I owned him in a seasonal league last season -- he was solid at first but faded out in the second half. I also feel like there's concern with the Indianapolis Colts clinching the postseason sooner than later, in which case I would lose... more

I'm in a keeper league that rewards running backs points for catches. I need to retain one of the following: Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch or Steve Smith. I also need to keep two from Ryan Grant, Michael Turner and Marques Colston. Who will produce the best numbers in 2008? -- J.R.,... more

Many of the top free agents have signed contracts in recent weeks, so it's time to examine all of the fantasy football fallout. With that in mind, here's the March versions of our one-man, three-round mock draft for the 2008 season. Each numbered position of the draft will... more

Hey Michael, I just joined an IDP league that rewards more points for sacks than the rest of the defensive categories. Which defenders should I target for the 2008 season based on this scoring system? Thanks! -- L. Truitt, Syracuse, N.Y. Michael Fabiano: The most obvious names in such... more

Countless fantasy enthusiasts are now entrenched in their basketball and hockey leagues and preparing for baseball drafts, but football is never far from their minds. The NFL is now a 365-day-a-year obsession. That's obvious in the extended and in-depth coverage of the Scouting... more

The end of an era has come in Titletown. Brett Favre, the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns, has decided to retire after an illustrious 17-year career. His departure from Green Bay has sent shockwaves through both the pro football ranks and the world of... more

Rookies can become valuable assets in the land of fantasy football, as the likes of Vince Young, Adrian Peterson and Marques Colston have showed in recent season. Overall, however, most of the impact rookies tend to come out of the running back position. And with a rich class headed... more

Free-agent movement has been rampant around the NFL in recent weeks, so the obvious focus of fantasy football enthusiasts has been on the players that have moved to new cities or will remain with their current teams. However, several players that have not been involved in the... more

There has been a clear and concise shift in the value of running backs in recent seasons, as NFL teams have leaned less on one featured runner and more on backfield committees. As a result, it's important to keep close tabs on the position as a whole during an offseason that has... more

Michael, what do you think about the quarterback position in San Francisco? I like Shaun Hill, but will Alex Smith remain the starter in 2008? -- C. McConnell, Winder, Ga. Michael Fabiano: We might have to add a third name to the San Francisco quarterback situation, as new offensive... more

Fantasy football enthusiasts can have short memories. We remember the heroics of Tom Brady, LaDainian Tomlinson and Terrell Owens last season, but we tend to forget about the prominent players that had down seasons due to injuries or other intangibles. Their decreased statistics... more

Michael, I am in a 10-team, PPR keeper league and plan to retain Peyton Manning. However, I'm not sure which running back to retain from Ronnie Brown, Ryan Grant, Steven Jackson and Larry Johnson. Suggestions? -- G. Guerra, Imlay City, Mich. Michael Fabiano: All four runners have... more

I need to retain three players from Ryan Grant, Larry Johnson, Andre Johnson and Steve Smith. I think the two running backs are the most obvious keepers, so which wideout should I retain? -- D. Pittman, Rochester, N.Y. Michael Fabiano: I would agree that Grant and Johnson should be... more

What sort of fantasy impact will Darren McFadden have in his rookie season? Can he be the next Adrian Peterson? -- W. Hurley, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Michael Fabiano: McFadden has all the skills and abilities to make a serious impact for fantasy footballers in his rookie season, but at... more

With the Pro Bowl in the rearview mirror, the 2007 NFL season is now finished and the start of what should be an interesting offseason begins. With that in mind, it's time for us to start our monthly one-man, three-round mock draft for the 2008 fantasy football season. Each... more

I will retain Marshawn Lynch for next season, but I also need to keep two players out of Ryan Grant, Terrell Owens and Reggie Wayne. Help! -- Tom, Albuquerque, N.M. Michael Fabiano: It's hard not to retain Grant after he showed such immense potential and production in his time as... more

The word dominant is defined as "most important, powerful or influential." In the NFL, dominant at the wide receiver position can be defined with two words: Jerry Rice. In our research of the greatest statistical seasons based on fantasy points in the Super Bowl era, it... more

From Eric Dickerson in the 1980's, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith in the 1990's and Marshall Faulk, Priest Holmes and LaDainian Tomlinson in the current era, running backs have thrilled us on the gridiron with their elusiveness, immense speed and graceful strides. In fact,... more

Did the impressive postseason numbers of Eli Manning raise his value in fantasy football drafts for 2008, or is he still a middle-of-the-road quarterback? -- J. T. Michaels, Atlanta, Ga. Michael Fabiano: One of the heroes of Super Bowl XLII, Manning seemed to mature before our eyes in... more

Super Bowl XLII will be remembered as one of the greatest championship contests in NFL history, as the New York Giants shocked the world with a 17-14 win over the previously undefeated New England Patriots. This memorable performance will forever live in the annals of pro football lore, and... more

Some people believe in curses, jinxes, hexes and the such, and some don't. But whether it's the Madden cover curse, the Sports Illustrated cover curse or the now defunct "Curse of the Bambino," it's still fun to point out odd trends that could allow us a potential... more

The combatants for Super Bowl XLII have been decided, as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will face Eli Manning and the upset-minded New York Giants in what could be an historical championship contest. In an effort to combine two of the greatest passions of sports fans -- the... more

The value of wide receivers has increased in fantasy football in recent seasons, so it's no shock that two of the past two Super Bowl MVPs have come at the position. A total of six wide receivers have won a Super Bowl MVP award and 30 players have recorded 100-plus yards in the 40... more

How did Kurt Warner (Super Bowl XXXIV) not make your list of the top fantasy performances in a Super Bowl? What about Franco Harris (Super Bowl XIV)? I love the concept, I just think you missed the mark on these two players! -- J. Graham, Grand Forks, N.D. Michael Fabiano: Warner did... more

Running backs have been considered the lifeblood of fantasy football, but a select few have found immense statistical success in the Super Bowl. In fact, a mere seven backs have won the MVP honor in 41 championships -- quarterbacks have won the award 21 times -- and a total of 17 runners... more

Success in the NFL can be difficult to achieve unless a team works together as a cohesive unit. After all, pro football is the ultimate team sport. In the world of fantasy football, we cheer for heroes such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson and Randy Moss to fill the stat... more

Success in the NFL can be difficult to achieve unless a team works together as a cohesive unit. After all, pro football is the ultimate team sport. In the world of fantasy football, we cheer for heroes such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson and Randy Moss to fill the stat... more

It seems like a lot of owners were burned or disappointed with their No. 1 running back this season (Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson). I know you can't predict injuries, but would it be foolish to take a chance on an up and comer like Ryan Grant in the first round over a more... more

I need to retain two players from Ronnie Brown, Ryan Grant and Larry Johnson. I read your keeper column on runners and didn't see Brown's name. Was it because he was injured? I also have Greg Jennings, Chad Johnson and Brandon Marshall. Who should I retain? -- B.M. Fischer,... more

I need to retain two running backs from Shaun Alexander, Willie Parker, Clinton Portis or LenDale White. Suggestions? Also, what sort of numbers do you predict for Steve Smith in 2008? -- R. Tansey, Merrimack, N.H. Michael Fabiano: Alexander's value as a keeper is close to null... more

The following is a list of injured players for Divisional Weekend (Jan. 12-13) and all the fantasy implications: Jan. 12 Green Bay Packers Questionable: CB Will Blackmon (foot); Probable: LB Nick Barnett (hamstring), WR Greg Jennings (groin), WR Koren Robinson (knee), DT... more

Even though the fantasy season is at an end in most cases (you can still sign up for our Playoff Challenge), we here at NFL.com will continue to cover fantasy football 24.7. We'll have rank lists, keeper information, season reviews for all the fantasy positions, and of course, our... more

One of the most vital components to success in the world of fantasy football is diligence on the waiver wire. That was never more evident in what was an unpredictable 2007 season. Injuries and depth chart changes altered the value of several players who took advantage of their... more

?? QUARTERBACKS # Player Team 1. Tom Brady New England 2. Tony Romo Dallas 3. Peyton Manning Indianapolis 4. David Garrard Jacksonville 5. Brett Favre Green Bay 6. Matt Hasselbeck Seattle 7. Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh 8. Eli Manning N.Y. Giants 9. Philip Rivers... more

The following is a list of injured players for Wild Card Weekend (Jan. 5-6) and all the fantasy implications: Jan. 5 Jacksonville Jaguars Out: LB Mike Peterson (hand), RB LaBrandon Toefield (ankle); Probable: CB Aaron Glenn (ankle), DT Grady Jackson (knee), S Reggie Nelson... more

I know that running backs have been the prominent players selected in the first round of most fantasy football drafts, but will that change after the emergence of stud quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Tony Romo? -- J. Carter, Boston, Mass. Michael Fabiano: I doubt Brady can produce... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 17 (Dec. 29-30) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 29 New England Patriots Doubtful: TE Kyle Brady (foot), RB Kyle Eckel (stomach); Questionable: T Nick Kaczur (foot), S Willie Andrews (elbow), G Steve Neal (shoulder),... more

Tony Romo has been my No. 1 quarterback all season, but I'm worried that he won't play much in Week 17. Should I start Romo or either Shaun Hill or Vince Young? -- J.C., Atlanta, Ga. Michael Fabiano: With an injured thumb on his right hand and nothing to play for in... more

Tony Romo has been my No. 1 quarterback all season, but I'm worried that he won't play much in Week 17. Should I start Romo or either Shaun Hill or Vince Young? -- J.C., Atlanta, Ga. Michael Fabiano: With an injured thumb on his right hand and nothing to play for in... more

The 2007 fantasy football season is all but finished, and it ended much like it started: Quarterbacks continued to dominate the stat sheets. Seven of the top 10 performances of the week came from signal-callers, one of which didn't even start for his team. On the flip side,... more

The 2007 fantasy football season is all but finished, and it ended much like it started: Quarterbacks continued to dominate the stat sheets. Seven of the top 10 performances of the week came from signal-callers, one of which didn't even start for his team. On the flip side,... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 16 (Dec. 20-24) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 23, 8:00pm EST Denver Broncos Inactives: QB Darrell Hackney (3rd QB), WR Brandon Stokley, WR Taylor Jacobs, RB Mike Bell , LB Ian Gold, DT Isaac Snell, DE Larry Birdine,... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

?? Well folks, that's all for the final two-minute drill of the season. Again, we will continue to run our fantasy football content all this week for those owners who play out the entire season. We'll also be doing the most in-depth offseason coverage on the Internet. If you still... more

Did your fantasy football season end before you were ready to hang up the helmet and pads? Whether Tom Brady's stale performance in Week 15 or a season full of injured running backs cost you a chance at a title, NFL.com has the perfect solution for your fantasy blues. Welcome to... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 16 (Dec. 20-24) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 22 Carolina Panthers Inactives: QB Vinny Testaverde (3rd QB), WR Drew Carter, DB Patrick Dendy, LB James Anderson, G Evan Mathis, T Frank Omiyale, DE Julius Peppers, DT... more

Mike, I'm in a league that starts two quarterbacks and two running backs. I have to start two from Derek Anderson, Tom Brady and Kurt Warner at quarterback and Earnest Graham, Ryan Grant and Fred Taylor at running back. Which players should I start? -- M. Murray, Richmond, Va. ... more

The New England Patriots seem destined for a Super Bowl championship this season. The same can't be said of fantasy footballers who have Tom Brady on their roster. In what has to be one of the most unbelievable turn of events in fantasy football history, Brady put coal in... more

The top news from this past week surrounded the failures of Tom Brady and Tony Romo, who combined to score fewer fantasy points on NFL.com than Brodie Croyle! Brady did little in bad weather against the New York Jets, as the offensive attack focused on Laurence Maroney and the run for... more

Well folks that's all for this week. be sure to check out the Fantasy rewind later tonight and the season's final edition of the Fantasy Monday morning quarterback tomorrow morning. And a note to all you Tom Brady owners -- please say away from sharp objects! » Jon Kitna hits... more

The top news from this past week surrounded the failures of Tom Brady and Tony Romo, who combined to score fewer fantasy points on NFL.com than Brodie Croyle! Brady did little in bad weather against the Jets, as the offensive attack focused on Laurence Maroney and the run for much of... more

Here's one word to describe Week 15: Unpredictable. It what has been a bizarre season in the world of fantasy football, the two most productive players (Tom Brady, Tony Romo) combined to score 10 fewer points than Brodie Croyle in what was the postseason semifinals in most... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 15 (December 13-17) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 17, 8:30pm EST Chicago Bears Inactives: QB Rex Grossman (3rd QB) , SAF Josh Gattis , LB Darrell McClover , G Josh Beekman , DT Babatunde Oshinowo , WR Mike Hass ,... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 15 (Dec. 13-17) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 15 Cincinnati Bengals Out: DE Frostee Rucker, WR Marcus Maxwell, CB David Jones, C Dan Santucci, TE Nate Lawrie, OT Willie Anderson, LB Rashad Jeanty. Fantasy... more

Hey Mike, should I start San Diego's defense in Week 15 even with Shawne Merriman out? I can add Arizona or Denver. Atlanta, Carolina, Cleveland, Houston, Kansas City, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, San Francisco, St. Louis and Washington are also available. Thanks! -- B. Calvey,... more

Carson Palmer has fallen apart over the past two weeks, so should I sit him in Week 15 and start Philip Rivers? -- C. King, N/A M.F.: Palmer has been brutal in starts against Pittsburgh and St. Louis, but the weather was awful in both contests. Rain and wind were an obvious issue, and... more

The top news from this past week surrounded quarterbacks, as a total of five different signal-callers threw four touchdown passes in their respective contests. The week was a true microcosm of the entire season, as quarterbacks have become the dominant position in fantasy football... more

"The fantasy football team you draft is almost never the same fantasy football team you have once the postseason hits." That statement has never been more true than in this season, as numerous prominent players have been sidelined due to injuries and a number of lesser knowns... more

Here's a line that fantasy football owners have to be familiar with by now: Quarterbacks dominated the stat sheets around the NFL. Believe it or not, but a total of five quarterbacks threw four touchdown passes, one of which was active in less than five percent of NFL.com leagues.... more

The top news from this past week surrounded quarterbacks, as a total of five different signal-callers threw four touchdown passes in their respective contests. The week was a true microcosm of the entire season, as quarterbacks have become the dominant position in fantasy football... more

?? Well folks, that's all for Week 14. I hope everyone found success in the first round of the fantasy football postseason! Be sure to check out the Fantasy rewind later tonight and the Fantasy Monday morning quarterback tomorrow morning. Good night! ?? Matt Hasselbeck throws his... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 14 (December 9-10) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 3, 8:30pm EST Atlanta Falcons Inactives: QB Joey Harrington (3rd QB), RB Artose Pinner, S Jimmy Williams, CB Antoine Harris, G Justin Blalock, DT Jesse Mahelona, T... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 14 (Dec. 6-10) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 9-10 Arizona Cardinals Out: S Aaron Francisco (calf), DE Ross Kolodziej (quadriceps); Questionable: WR Anquan Boldin (toe), WR Larry Fitzgerald (groin); Probable: QB... more

I can't believe it, but we're headed into the first week of the fantasy football postseason. Time flies, huh? With the Wild Card weekend in fantasy football on the slate, now is the time to discuss some of the guidelines and rules to finding that ultimate level of... more

Randy Moss is being double- and tripled-team every week, so his numbers have been down a bit. Should I consider reserving him for a hot wide receiver like Hines Ward or Roddy White? --J. Flynn, Coconut Creek, Fla. Michael Fabiano: It's true that Ward and White have been on... more

The top news from this past weekend surrounded two quarterbacks that weren't even on the radar in fantasy football drafts. Those two quarterbacks also happened to be brothers. Luke (25 points) and Josh (23 points) McCown both saw prominent roles in the absence of injured... more

Randy Moss is being double- and tripled-teamed every week, so his numbers have been down a bit. Should I consider reserving him for a hot wide receiver like Hines Ward or Roddy White? --J. Flynn, Coconut Creek, Fla. Michael Fabiano: It's true that Ward and White have been on... more

Remember the "Summer of George" episode on Seinfeld? Well, it wasn't as long as a summer, but this was the "Weekend of McCown" in the National Football League. The McCown brothers, Josh and Luke, made some real noise in the box scores as both saw prominent... more

That's all for this week, folks. Be sure to check out the Fantasy rewind later tonight and our fantasy football version of the Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. Have a great night! » Jerramy Stevens scores on a 4-yard pass from Luke McCown with :14 seconds left in the Tampa... more

By Michael Fabiano The top news from this past weekend surrounded two quarterbacks that weren't even on the radar in fantasy football drafts. Those two quarterbacks also happened to be brothers. Luke (25 points) and Josh (23 points) McCown both saw prominent roles in... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 13 (December 2-3) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 3, 8:30pm EST Baltimore Ravens Inactives: RB Mike Anderson, DB Gerome Sapp, T Jared Gaither, TE Todd Heap, WR Demetrius Williams, LB Edgar Jones, DT Zarnell... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 13 (Nov. 29-Dec. 3) and all the fantasy implications: Dec. 2-3 Arizona Cardinals Out: DT Ross Kolodziej (quadriceps), S Adrian Wilson (heel); Doubtful: S Aaron Francisco (calf), WR Jerheme Urban (heel); Questionable: WR... more

I have Brett Favre and Tony Romo at the quarterback position. Who do I start on Thursday night? -- M. Williamson, Lake Hopatcong, N.J. Michael Fabiano: This is one difficult call, but I have to side with Romo based on the fact that Packers CB Charles Woodson could be limited or out... more

Tom Brady sure had a terrible Sunday night against Philadelphia, huh? The Super Bowl hero threw for a miniscule 380 yards with a mere one touchdown and scored a pathetic 22 fantasy points on NFL.com. Come on Tom! Okay, so the performance wasn't all that bad. But it... more

Which wide receiver should I start in Week 13: Lee Evans, Brandon Marshall or Derrick Mason? -- L. Sanchez, Miami, Fla. M.F.: Evans has been cold as ice in recent weeks and Mason has scored once in his past eight starts, so I'd have to side with Marshall. He does have a tough... more

The top news from this past week surrounded two running backs that weren't even on the radar in most fantasy football drafts. Kolby Smith (27 points) and Andre Hall (21 points) both made some serious noise in Week 12. Smith took over as the Chiefs' featured back in the absence... more

The top news from this past week surrounded two running backs that weren't even on the radar in most fantasy football drafts. Kolby Smith (27 points) and Andre Hall (21 points) both made some serious noise in Week 12. Smith took over as the Chiefs' featured back in the absence... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 12 (November 25-26) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Monday, Nov. 26, 8:30pm EST Miami Dolphins Inactives: WR Kerry Reed, RB Lorenzo Booker, DB Jereme Perry, DB Tuff Harris, LB Zach Thomas, DT... more

With another week of fantasy football in the books, we've come to the conclusion that the dominance of quarterbacks is not a trend. It's become the new norm around the NFL. A total of six field generals finished in our list of the top 10 fantasy performances for Week... more

» Well folks, that's all this for this week. Be sure to check out the Fantasy rewind tonight and the Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. Good night! » San Francisco recovers a Kurt Warner fumble in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown! ... Neil Rackers just missed a chip... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 12 (Nov. 25-26) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Out: DT Ross Kolodziej (quadriceps); Doubtful: WR Jerheme Urban (heel), S Aaron Francisco (knee), S Adrian Wilson (heel); Probable: LB... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 11 (November 18-19) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Questionable: S Aaron Francisco (knee), CB Eric Green (ankle), S Adrian Wilson (heel); Probable: LB Gerald Hayes (illness), QB... more

Which quarterback should I start in Week 12: Jeff Garcia or Matt Schaub? -- P. Winn, Salt Lake City, Utah Michael Fabiano: With two touchdown passes, Garcia was solid in last week's win over Atlanta, but I love Schaub's matchup in Cleveland. The Browns rank 31st in the league... more

The first of eight games on the NFL Network airs this week, as the Atlanta Falcons host the Indianapolis Colts at the Georgia Dome in an inter conference battle on Thanksgiving night. For the second consecutive season, NFL.com and the NFL Network have created the Fan Challenge in conjunction... more

The top news from this past weekend surrounded the New England Patriots and the incredible duo of Tom Brady and Randy Moss, who continued to make mincemeat of the opposition. Brady scored 44 fantasy points on 373 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Buffalo. He is now on pace to... more

This week was another microcosm of the 2007 fantasy football season. Quarterback was the dominant position overall, as a total of six signal-callers earned a spot in our top 10 performances, but running backs continued to frustrate owners. In fact, six of the 10 worst stat lines on our list... more

The top news from this past weekend surrounded the New England Patriots and the incredible duo of Tom Brady and Randy Moss, who continued to make mincemeat of the opposition. Brady scored 44 fantasy points on 373 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Buffalo. He is now on pace to... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 11 (November 18-19) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Nov. 19, 8:30pm EST Denver Broncos: Inactives: QB Darrell Hackney (3rd QB), RB Travis Henry, RB Paul Smith, DB Jeff Shoate, DT Isaac Snell,... more

?? Well folks, that all this for this week. Be sure to check out the Fantasy rewind tonight and the Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. Also, all of our fantasy football content will be published before Thursday this week due to the holiday, so you'll have all the information you need... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 10 (November 11-12) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Out: S Aaron Francisco (knee); Questionable: S Adrian Wilson (heel); Probable: T Elton Brown (knee), LB Karlos Dansby (knee), T... more

With all of the running back problems this season, what changes do you see for 2008 drafts? My personal top five picks right now are Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss and LaDainian Tomlinson. S. Hout, Albany, N.Y. Michael Fabiano: I'd have to agree with that top... more

Michael, nice call on Brett Favre last week. I started him ahead of Carson Palmer and won! Anyways, now I have to make the same decision in Week 11: Favre or Palmer? -- L. Richards, Canoga Park, Calif. M.F.: When Favre faces Minnesota, he's been almost guaranteed to throw for... more

Another week, another top-notch running back falls due to injuries. With Larry Johnson out several weeks, Shaun Alexander, Frank Gore, Ahman Green and Travis Henry at less than 100 percent and stars like Ronnie Brown, Deuce McAllister and Cadillac Williams done for the season,... more

This week was a microcosm of the entire 2007 fantasy football season. Quarterbacks were dominant, as eight signal-callers earned a spot in our top-10 performances, but running backs continued to frustrate owners. In fact, five of the 10 worst performances on our list came out of the... more

Believe it or not, there are three more weeks left in most fantasy football regular seasons (time flies, huh?). That means trade deadlines are close to an end, so now is the time to take a look ahead at the best matchups of the fantasy postseason (Weeks 14-16). Based on the... more

Another week, another top-notch running back falls due to injuries. With Larry Johnson out several weeks, Shaun Alexander, Frank Gore, Ahman Green and Travis Henry at less than 100 percent and stars like Ronnie Brown, Deuce McAllister and Cadillac Williams done for the season,... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 10 (November 11-12) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Nov. 12, 8:30pm EST San Francisco 49ers Inactives: QB Shaun Hill (3rd QB), WR LeRon McCoy, CB Tarell Brown, FS Keith Lewis, DT Atiyyah... more

Well folks, that's all for this week. Be sure to check out the best and worst fantasy performances later tonight and the Fantasy Monday-morning quarterback tomorrow. Here's one more birthday shout out to my fantasy girl, Jess, and a Cowboys shout out to my sister, Denise -- hope you... more

Who should I start in Week 10: Edgerrin James, Kevin Jones or LenDale White? Also who should I start Vernon Davis, Todd Heap or Greg Olsen? Last but not least, should I start Dwayne Bowe? My other starters are Bobby Engram, Larry Fitzgerald and Santonio Holmes? -- A. Gonzalez Panama City,... more

Question: Who should I start in Week 10: Edgerrin James, Kevin Jones or LenDale White? Also, should I start Dwayne Bowe? My other starters are Bobby Engram, Larry Fitzgerald and Santonio Holmes? -- A. Gonzalez Panama City, Panama Michael Fabiano: Despite his mediocre numbers in what... more

We have all heard about the Madden cover curse, the curse of the Bambino and the Sports Illustrated cover curse. But a new curse (some would call it a trend) has emerged around the presence and absence of offensive wizard Norv Turner. Let's call it the Turner Effect. Back... more

Another week, another top-notch running back falls to an injury. With Frank Gore (ankle) inactive, Rudi Johnson (hamstring) and Ahman Green (knee) limited and four teams on a bye, reliable runners were few and far between in Week 9. Then Larry Johnson went down when his ankle was... more

For the first time this regular season, running backs made a significant impact in the world of fantasy football. Six of the top 10 points producers in NFL.com's standard scoring system were runners, while the rest of the best came from a combination of five quarterbacks and one... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 9 (November 4-5) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Nov. 5, 8:30pm EST Baltimore Ravens Inactives: QB Troy Smith (3rd QB), CB Chris McAlister, CB Samari Rolle, RB Cory Ross, RB Mike Anderson, LB... more

Another week, another top-notch running back falls to an injury. ?? With Frank Gore (ankle) inactive, Rudi Johnson (hamstring) and Ahman Green (knee) limited and four teams on a bye, reliable runners were few and far between in Week 9. Then Larry Johnson went down when his... more

Well folks, that's all for Week 9. Be sure to check out our look at the best and worst performances of the weekend later tonight (think Adrian Peterson might be on there?) and the fantasy version of the Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. Have a great night all. ?? Josh Brown... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. Byes: Chicago, Miami,... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 9 (November 4-5) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Questionable: LB Karlos Dansby (knee), T Mike Gandy (calf); Probable: S Aaron Francisco (knee), QB Kurt Warner (left elbow). ... more

Should I start Derek Anderson or Matt Hasselbeck in Week 9? -- Z. Purdy, Bernardsville, N.J. Michael Fabiano: Anderson has been phenomenal for fantasy football owners this season, but I have to side with Hasselbeck based on the matchup. The veteran out of Boston College faces the... more

It might be hard to believe, but we are already at the midseason point of the 2007 fantasy football season. It has been one of the most bizarre and unpredictable campaigns in the Super Bowl era, as several stars have fallen from the elite level while the likes of Derek Anderson, LenDale... more

Should I start Derek Anderson or Matt Hasselbeck in Week 9? -- Z. Purdy, Bernardsville, N.J. Michael Fabiano: Anderson has been phenomenal for fantasy football owners this season, but I have to side with Hasselbeck based on the matchup. The veteran out of Boston College faces the... more

In this Halloween edition of the Fantasy Monday morning quarterback, we'll discuss all the tricks and treats from Week 8. For the first time this regular season, a number of the players drafted in the first few rounds produced solid totals. Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Joseph Addai,... more

For the first time in what seems like forever, several big names in the world of fantasy football stepped up and produced monster stat lines. The likes of Cleo Lemon, Sage Rosenfels, Kenny Watson and Rob Bironas were nowhere to be found on our list of the top 10 performances, as stars... more

Exclusive Week 8 fantasy rewind By Michael Fabiano In this Halloween edition of the Fantasy Monday morning quarterback, we'll discuss all the tricks and treats from Week 8. For the first time this regular season, a number of the players drafted in the first few rounds... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 7 (October 21-22) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Oct. 29, 8:30pm EST Denver Broncos: Inactives: RB Travis Henry, WR Javon Walker, RB Mike Bell, DT Amon Gordon, DE Jarvis Moss, DB Jeff... more

Well, that's all for this week folks. Be sure to check out the best and worst fantasy performances of the weekend column later tonight and our fantasy version of the Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. Have a great Halloween! » Touchdown, Vernon Davis, on a 7-yard pass from Alex... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. Byes: Arizona,... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 8 and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Buffalo Bills Out: DE Ryan Denney (foot), LB Leon Joe (knee), CB Ashton Youboty (ankle); Doubtful: S Jim Leonhard (calf), TE Ryan Neufeld (quadriceps), WR Sam Aiken... more

Running backs take the most punishment of all the offensive skill positions, so injuries are bound to occur. Fantasy football owners accept that as a common fact headed into the season, but no one could have predicted the number of serious ailments the position would suffer this season. ... more

Who should I start in Week 8: Brett Favre or Donovan McNabb? -- J. Baker, Canada Michael Fabiano: Favre has been the more consistent of the two quarterbacks, but McNabb's matchup against Minnesota makes him the better option for Week 8. The Vikes rank dead last in the league... more

Who should I start in Week 8: Brett Favre or Donovan McNabb? -- J. Baker, Canada Michael Fabiano: Favre has been the more consistent of the two quarterbacks, but McNabb's matchup against Minnesota makes him the better option for Week 8. The Vikes rank dead last in the league... more

It was another bizarre week in the world of fantasy football, as two of the top four points producers weren't even owned in most leagues and one is listed second on his own team's depth chart. Furthermore, two other members of our top 10 were active in less than 55 percent of... more

Another week, another set of unpredictable stat lines -- and another running back lost for the season. Miami running Ronnie Brown is out for the remainder of 2007 with an injured knee suffered in a loss to New England. He was the best back in fantasy football this season, so his loss... more

Another week, another set of unpredictable stat lines -- and another running back lost for the season. Miami running Ronnie Brown is out for the remainder of 2007 with an injured knee suffered in a loss to New England. He was the best back in fantasy football this season, so his loss... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 7 (October 21-22) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Oct. 22, 8:30pm EST Indianapolis Colts Inactives: WR Craphonso Thorpe, CB Michael Coe, RB Clifton Dawson, DB Brannon Condren, LB Victor... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

Well folks, that's all for this week's fantasy blog. Be sure to check out the best and worst performances from Week 7 later tonight and my Fantasy Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. ?? Muhsin Muhammad scores on a 15-yard pass from Brian Griese. The score came with :09... more

How will the trade of Chris Chambers affect his value and the value of Vincent Jackson and Marty Booker? -- L. Mayes, Baron Rouge, La. Michael Fabiano: Chambers saw the fourth-most targets in the NFL headed into this week, but that will change dramatically in San Diego. He's more... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 7 (Oct. 21-22) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Out: LB Karlos Dansby (knee), S Aaron Francisco (knee); Questionable: DE Joe Tafoya (hamstring), QB Kurt Warner (left elbow), S Adrian... more

Running backs have been considered the most valuable offensive skill position players in fantasy football. But in what has been a bizarre 2007 season, wide receivers have increased their production in the box scores and overall value for owners. While we tend to look at receptions, yardage... more

I drafted Marc Bulger this season, but then I dropped him for Kurt Warner. Now Warner is out and I'm left with Matt Schaub as my only healthy quarterback. If I can't re-acquire Bulger, who should I start in Week 7? -- W. Dunham, Washington, D.C. M.F.: Schaub has an extremely... more

The offensive stars were back in form this week, as LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson and Steve Smith all produced like first- and second-round selections in what was a high-octane weekend of NFL action. Despite their solid stat lines, however, Johnson and Smith didn't even make our... more

Much of the same madness fantasy football owners have experienced all season occured in Week 7, as Cleo Lemon, Brian Griese and Wes Welker made up three of the top 10 overall performances. But for the first time in what seems like forever, two of the top three overall selections in most... more

Much of the same madness fantasy football owners have experienced all season occurred in Week 7, as Cleo Lemon, Brian Griese and Wes Welker made up three of the top 10 overall performances. But for the first time in what seems like forever, two of the top three overall selections in most... more

The following is a list of inactives for Week 6 (October 14-15) and the fantasy implications of all the major inactives: Oct. 15, 8:30pm EST Atlanta Falcons Inactives: QB Byron Leftwich (3rd QB), RB Artose Pinner, S Daren Stone, LB Stephen Nicholas, OL D'Anthony... more

Well folks, that's all for this edition of the two-minute drill. Be sure to check out the best and worst fantasy performances of the week later tonight and my Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. » The 200-year old Vinny Testaverde just led Carolina to a win on the road. I'd... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. Start of the week ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 6 (October 14-15) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Out: T Levi Brown (ankle); Doubtful: WR Anquan Boldin (hip); Questionable: , DE Joe Tafoya (hamstring); Probable: G Elton Brown... more

I have been offered Steven Jackson and Andre Johnson for Marion Barber. Should I trade for two injured players? -- J. Reyes, Woodland Hills, Calif. Michael Fabiano: Trading for injured players is a risk-reward transaction. Jackson has been ruled out for Week 6, and there's no... more

Injuries are a part of the NFL and fantasy football, but the past few weeks have been a little ridiculous. It's bad enough that most of the first-round studs have not lived up to statistical expectations, but this season has also seen more than its share of serious injuries to some of... more

Who should I start in Week 6: Eli Manning or Vince Young? -- N. Roen, Eau Claire, Wis. ?? Michael Fabiano: Young was taken ahead of Manning in most drafts, but the former has been a better option for owners. Headed into this week, Manning is on pace to finish the season with... more

"Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!" -- Dr. Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters. Little did Bill Murray know when he uttered those famous words back in 1984 that he would be describing the 2007 fantasy football season. I've been in this business... more

In what was one of the most unproductive weeks on offense in recent seasons, this week's list of top performers includes a quarterback who is still available in 89 percent of NFL.com leagues, a tight end who wasn't selected until the middle to late rounds, a kicker who wasn't... more

I've been in this business for close to a decade, and I have never seen such madness. It's come to the point where you can't even trust your studs (unless they're names are Tom Brady or Peyton Manning). Heck, I started Ron Dayne over Frank Gore this week...and it worked!... more

The following is a list of inactives for Week 5 (October 7-8) and the fantasy implications of all the major inactives: Oct. 8, 8:30pm EST Buffalo Bills Inactives: QB J.P. Losman, RB Fred Jackson, CB Ashton Youboty, LB Coy Wire, S Jim Leonhard, WR Peerless Price, DE... more

Well folks, that's all for this edition of the two-minute drill. Be sure to check out the best and worst fantasy performances of the week later tonight and my Monday Morning Quarterback tomorrow. Oh, and if you hear curses and cries from somewhere on the West Coast, don't worry.... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 5 (October 7-8) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Out: T Levi Brown (ankle); Doubtful: WR Anquan Boldin (hip); Probable: DT Alan Branch (hand), LB Karlos Dansby (shoulder), RB Marcel... more

I drafted Drew Brees, Jeff Garcia and David Garrard, and I???m not sure who to start in Week 5. Should I stick with Brees or trade him? -- N. Fogwell, Fort Wayne, Ind. Michael Fabiano: Now is not the time to trade Brees, based on his decreased value, and I would stick with him this... more

Bizarro world is a cube-shaped planet called "Htrae" (Earth backwards). It's the home of Bizzaro, a doppelganger of Superman in DC Comics. In Bizarro world, everything is backwards. Welcome to the Bizarro world of fantasy football. After four weeks of the NFL... more

I drafted Drew Brees, Jeff Garcia and David Garrard, and I'm not sure who to start in Week 5. Should I stick with Brees or trade him? -- N. Fogwell, Fort Wayne, Ind. Michael Fabiano: Now is not the time to trade Brees, based on his decreased value, and I would stick with him this... more

In one of the more enigmatic weekends in of the NFL season, several stud players failed to meet their statistical expectations while borderline fantasy starters posted monstrous totals. This odd trend spread to all positions, as the likes of Damon Huard, Justin Fargas and Andre' Davis... more

Remember when I talked about the recent trend that saw quarterbacks and wide receivers dominate while running backs floundered? Well, it continued in Week 4. Five of the week's top 10 fantasy performers came from the quarterback position, three were wide receivers (and no... more

The following is a list of inactives for Week 4 (September 30-October 1) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Oct. 1, 8:30pm EST Cincinnati Bengals Inactives: RB Rudi Johnson, DB Ethan Kilmer, LB Ahmad Brooks, LB Caleb Miller, G Dan Santucci, WR... more

Remember when I talked about the recent trend that saw quarterbacks and wide receivers dominate while running backs floundered? Well, it continued in Week 4. Five of the week's top 10 fantasy performers came from the quarterback position, three were wide receivers (and no... more

Well folks, that's all for this edition of the two-minute drill. Be sure to check out the best and worst fantasy performances of the week later tonight and my Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. ?? Frank Gore caught three passes and had 131 all-purpose yards, but he didn't... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 4 (September 30-October 1) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Doubtful: WR Anquan Boldin (hip), T Levi Brown (ankle); Probable: DT Alan Branch (hand), C Al Johnson (knee). ... more

"Running backs are the lifeblood of fantasy football." I can't count the number of times I've used that phrase in my career as a fantasy analyst. But I have to admit, the lack of production from the position after three weeks has become a cause for concern. In... more

I need to choose either Edgerrin James or Jamal Lewis to start with LaDainian Tomlinson in Week 4. Who should I start? I also have Sammy Morris. Is he a better option? -??? B. Ogden, Lincoln, Neb. Michael Fabiano: Believe it or not, Morris has more fantasy points than Laurence... more

Q: I need to choose either Edgerrin James or Jamal Lewis to start with LaDainian Tomlinson in Week 4. Who should I start? I also have Sammy Morris. Is he a better option? -- B. Ogden, Lincoln, Neb. Michael Fabiano: Believe it or not, Morris has more fantasy points than Laurence... more

Injuries are a part of the NFL and fantasy football, but this past weekend was a little severe. Two top-notch running backs sustained long-term ailments, and the status of several other players is in doubt for Week 4. Owners must now make moves to ease the absences of their lost options, so... more

NFL.com senior writer Gil Brandt predicted this would be the week offenses would catch up to defenses and the scoreboards would light up like Christmas trees. Man, was he 100-percent correct. A total of 17 teams scored 24 points or more. Not even the top defenses could hold down the fort, as... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. START OF THE WEEK ... more

?? Well folks, that's all for this edition of the two-minute drill. Be sure to check out the best and worst fantasy performances of the week later tonight and my Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. ?? DeShaun Foster is running like a man possessed. He has well over 100... more

As predicted by NFL.com senior writer Gil Brandt, this was the week offenses caught up to defenses. A total of 17 teams scored 24 points or more. Not even the top defenses could hold down the fort, as Baltimore, Chicago and San Diego allowed a combined 88 points. All of these points... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 3 (September 23-24) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Sept. 24, 8pm EST New Orleans Saints Inactives: G Andy Alleman, T Jermon Bushrod, NT Kendrick Clancy, TE Ronnie Ghent, WR Robert Meachem, QB... more

Last week saw an excitement-filled 51-45 shootout between Cincinnati and Cleveland that produced countless fantasy points. Well, this week the scoreboard explosions came from Lincoln Financial Field, where Detroit and Philadelphia combined for 77 points and 968 total yards. In fact, four of... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 3 (September 23-24) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Out: C Al Johnson (knee); Questionable: DT Alan Branch (hand). Fantasy take: No significant injuries. ... more

You waited for what seemed like forever for the NFL season and fantasy football. You drafted a solid team on paper, but you've started 0-2 and your best friend's wife took you out to the woodshed last week. Is it time to panic? It might be if you have Larry Johnson, but there are... more

Q: Who should I start in Week 3: Marshawn Lynch, Derrick Ward or Cadillac Williams? I need to start two of three. I could also add Jerious Norwood off the waiver wire. What's your call? -- K. Smelser, Indianapolis, Ind. Michael Fabiano: Based on the numbers, it's hard not to... more

Who should I start in Week 3: Marshawn Lynch, Derrick Ward or Cadillac Williams? I need to start two of three. I could also add Jerious Norwood off the waiver wire. What's your call? -? K. Smelser, Indianapolis, Ind. Michael Fabiano: Based on the numbers, it's hard not to... more

An interesting trend has started to develop early in this NFL season. Quarterbacks and wide receivers -- not running backs -- are dominating the box scores. In fact, the 10 best fantasy performances of Week 2 included five quarterbacks, four wide receivers and one running back.... more

» Well folks, that's all for this edition of the two-minute drill. Be sure to check out the best and worst fantasy performances of the week later tonight and my Monday morning quarterback tomorrow. » Jason Elam connects on a 23-yard field goal to beat the silver and black in... more

Exclusive Week 2 fantasy rewind By Michael Fabiano NFL.com An interesting trend has started to develop early in this NFL season. Quarterbacks and wide receivers -- not running backs -- are dominating the box scores. In fact, the 10 best fantasy performances of Week 2 included... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 2 (September 16-17) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Sept. 17, 8:30pm EST Philadelphia Eagles Inactives: QB A.J. Feeley (3rd QB), CB Lito Sheppard, RB Tony Hunt , LB Pago Togafau , T Pat McCoy... more

There are some NFL contests where the defenses are thrown out the window and the offenses total up yards and touchdowns hand over fist. That was the case this week in Cleveland, where the Browns and Cincinnati Bengals combined for 96 points and an incredible 1,085 yards of offense. These are... more

The following is a list of injured players for Week 2 (September 16-17) and the fantasy implications of all the major injuries: Arizona Cardinals Out: DT Alan Branch (hand), C Al Johnson (knee), DT Ross Kolodziej (knee); Questionable: WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring). ... more

I've heard heaven described in countless different ways. Whether it's amidst clouds, angels and large golden gates, or a place where people are at peace, it still doesn't sound as good as a Sunday at the NFL offices in Culver City, Calif. There are no angels with wings, golden... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. Players with an asterisk (*)... more

QUESTION: What happened with Deion Branch last week? He didn't score a single point. Should I start him in Week 2 with Javon Walker or use Isaac Bruce, Mark Clayton or Wes Welker instead? -- T. Kooi, N.A. MICHAEL FABIANO: It was a shock when Branch went without a catch and was... more

Quarterbacks went early in our draft, so I got stuck with Matt Leinart and Vince Young. They both had bad weeks and cost me a game. First, who should I start this week between them and second, should I search the waiver wire for a new quarterback? -? A. Mihalopoulos, Old Tappan, N.J. ... more

The first week of the fantasy football season was dominated by quarterbacks. In fact, seven of the top 10 fantasy point producers were signal-callers. No one was better than Tony Romo, who posted 42 points on 345 passing yards and five total touchdowns. Eli Manning was also spectacular, as... more

The first week of the fantasy football season was dominated by quarterbacks. Seven of the top 10 fantasy point producers were signal-callers. No one was better than Tony Romo, who posted 42 points on 345 passing yards and five total touchdowns. Eli Manning was also spectacular, as he threw... more

Q: Who should I start as my flex player in Week 1: Warrick Dunn, Clinton Portis or Hines Ward? - T. Manus, Summerville, S.C. Michael Fabiano: Dunn will share carries with sleeper Jerious Norwood and faces a Minnesota defense that ranked No. 1 vs. the run last season, so the decision here... more

The following is a list of inactive players for Week 1 (Sept. 9, 10) and the fantasy implications of all the major absences: Monday, Sept. 10 Arizona Cardinals Inactives:FB Tim Castille , LB Brandon Johnson , C Nick Leckey , DT Alan Branch , WR Jerheme Urban , DE... more

Welcome to NFL.com's fantasy football blog. I'll be checking in on all the games and letting you know about the big performances, injuries and all the important news and notes. » Well that's it for this week's two-minute drill blog -- be sure to check out the best and... more

Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations. Players with an asterisk (*)... more

The first weekend of the fantasy football season was filled with plenty of excitement, disappointment and a whole lot of defense (aside from the Giants-Cowboys shootout on Sunday night). A total of 12 teams scored 14 points or less, and four (Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City and Tampa Bay)... more

Would you rank Matt Schaub ahead of Jake Delhomme as a No. 2 fantasy quarterback? I can add Schaub, as he's on the waiver wire. Is he the perfect sleeper? - S. Talley, Virginia Michael Fabiano: Schaub might not be the perfect sleeper, but he did look incredible in his first... more

The regular season is almost upon us, as the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts do battle in what should be a tremendous Thursday night opener. Most fantasy football drafts are now completed, but owners must remember that the work doesn't end there. In fact, there's much more... more

NFL teams cut their rosters down to 53 players over the weekend, and several moves had implications in the world of fantasy football. With just three days left until the regular-season opener in Indianapolis (are you ready for some football?), here's our look at 20 players who have seen... more

Reports out of Detroit earlier in the week indicated that injured Lions running back Kevin Jones, who still isn't 100 percent back from a serious foot ailment, would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and miss the first six weeks of the regular season. So much... more

When NFL fans think about special teams, one name comes to mind -- that name is Steve Tasker. At 5-foot-8 and 183 pounds, Tasker wasn't the biggest man on the football field, but he was still one of the most feared hitters on both punt and kickoff return coverages. He is also... more

Success in the NFL can be difficult to achieve unless a team can work together as a cohesive unit on a consistent basis. In the world of fantasy football, we cheer for heroes such as Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson to fill the stat sheets and lead our team to victories,... more

Fantasy football drafts are loaded with questions. Should I take Steven Jackson or Larry Johnson? Is Peyton Manning worth a first-round choice? Will Clinton Portis be OK for the regular season? Should I even attempt to pronounce the name T.J. Houshmandzadeh? Well, another... more

The statistical success of Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Maurice Jones-Drew and Marques Colston last season proved there are some rookies who can immediately become productive options for fantasy football owners in seasonal formats. To find the most valuable rookies for next season,... more

Here's a little bit of football trivia: What do Harold Carmichael, Stanley Morgan, Terrell Owens, Rod Smith, Santana Moss, Steve Smith and Javon Walker have in common? Aside from the obvious answer (yes each of these athletes was an NFL wide receiver), all of them recorded statistical... more

Whether it's due to team personnel alterations or depth-chart movement, there are almost always a significant number of players who experience a decrease in value. As we close in on the start of the regular season and fantasy football drafts, let's take a look at the 20 players who... more

Whether it's due to team personnel alterations or depth chart movement, there are almost always a significant number of players who experience an increase in value. As we close in on the start of the regular season and fantasy football drafts, let's take a look at the 20 players who... more

NFL.com held its in-house fantasy football league in the Culver City, Calif. offices last week, and I've decided to post the results as a guide for our readers to examine as they participate in drafts of their own. The league is based on a standard scoring system but includes one... more

Clinton Portis has passed his first test of training camp. The talented running back, who has been limited due to a bout of knee tendonitis, returned to full practice on Tuesday and worked with the first-team offense without limitations. It was a positive sign both for Portis and... more

I usually wait to draft a kicker or a defense until the last three rounds. That has worked for me with kickers, but not so much with defenses. Wouldn't it be a good idea to draft a defense once a few of the better ones come off the board, even if it's in the middle rounds? - A.... more

Drafts are considered the most fun and exciting parts of the entire fantasy football experience, but there is some definite work that is involved in order to build a competitive roster. Owners should be sure to have a pen, paper, a list of bye weeks and, of course, the 2007 NFL.com Fantasy... more

The release of the NFL schedule is one of the most important events of the offseason, but it can be overlooked in the world of fantasy football. After all, it doesn't matter who is on the other side of the line from Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson or Steve Smith,... more

Torry Holt has been one of the most productive and consistent wide receivers in the NFL and fantasy football over the past seven seasons. But reports about his problematic knee have some owners concerned. Holt, who had an arthroscopic procedure to repair torn cartilage in his right... more

Quarterbacks will be one of the easiest positions for fantasy football owners to fill in drafts, but an in-depth knowledge of all field-general scenarios is needed to make educated decisions. With that in mind, here's our look at the current quarterback situations for all 32 teams and... more

Injuries are a part of the NFL and fantasy football. The first serious one of the preseason might have occurred on Thursday night in Green Bay, when stud wideout Donald Driver left the sidelines on a cart. Driver sustained what is being called a sprained foot just before halftime and... more

The third week of the NFL preseason - which is as close to the regular season as we'll see before Week 1 -- saw a numbers of different stories and scenarios emerge that will have implications on fantasy football. Our final Monday version of the Fantasy Notebook focuses on the top 20... more

The San Francisco 49ers have been a fantasy football wasteland in recent seasons, but there's now reason to believe the team will field at least three players who will open 2007 as fantasy starters. That list includes Darrell Jackson, Vernon Davis and, of course, Frank Gore. The... more

What sort of numbers can we expect from Tony Romo this season? He has looked good in exhibition games, but can he really be a true No. 1 fantasy quarterback? - J. Peltz, New Milford, Conn. Michael Fabiano: Romo has looked tremendous in the preseason, and I feel he can and will be a... more

The Oakland Raiders have no shortage of quarterbacks at their disposal, both signed and unsigned, but one in particular could be set to make his move to the top of the silver and black's depth chart. Daunte Culpepper, a former fantasy stud who has seen his draft value sink like... more

I've been asked about it a million times: Should I draft Peyton Manning in the first round? Sure, it's nice to have the best quarterback in fantasy football and his 4,000 passing yards and 30-plus touchdowns. But unless the league awards a ton of points to quarterbacks, I will... more

The ultimate motivation for most athletes in the National Football League is to take home that coveted Super Bowl title and hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy high above their heads at the end of the season. But since pro football has become much more of a business over the past decade,... more

It has been said that running backs are the lifeblood of fantasy football, and that will never be more evident than in the first two to three rounds of drafts. Furthermore, the fact that some owners will take chances on reserve runners such as Ladell Betts or Michael Turner before taking... more

After an extended training camp holdout, Larry Johnson has agreed in principle to a new six-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. He reported to the team on Tuesday morning. Johnson had spent his time away from his teammates working out at the Athletes Performance Institute in Tempe,... more

Fantasy Football drafts are filled with elite quarterbacks, stud running backs and athletic wide receivers and tight ends who excite and thrill us between the white lines. But a major part of their successes (and failures) are based on the men on the sidelines, the ones with the clipboards... more

BUFFALO BILLS Head Coach: Dick Jauron (43-60 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 11th hardest; Run -- 2nd hardest The Bills traded Willis McGahee to Baltimore and will hand over the backfield duties to rookie Marshawn Lynch. While he will lose at least some... more

HOUSTON TEXANS Head Coach: Gary Kubiak (6-10 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 1st hardest; Run -- 5th easiest The Texans made some serious alterations on offense with the addition of Matt Schaub, who will replace David Carr (Panthers) under center. The... more

ATLANTA FALCONS Head coach: Bobby Petrino (0-0 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 14th hardest; Run -- 6th easiest The Falcons were a running machine on offense last season, but that will change under the watch of new head coach Bobby Petrino. The team... more

AFC WEST DENVER BRONCOS Head Coach: Mike Shanahan (139-86 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 4th hardest; Run -- 15th hardest The most important move the Broncos made from a fantasy football perspective was the addition of Travis Henry, who... more

BALTIMORE RAVENS Head Coach: Brian Billick (80-56 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 15th easiest; Run -- 7th easiest The most notable move of the offseason for the Ravens occurred when the team traded for Willis McGahee, who will take over the featured... more

DALLAS COWBOYS Head Coach: Wade Phillips (48-42 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 12th hardest; Run -- 10th easiest The most notable offseason news in Dallas surrounded the departure of Bill Parcells and addition of Wade Phillips, who will take over as... more

ARIZONA CARDINALS Head Coach: Ken Whisenhunt (0-0 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 12th easiest; Run -- 3rd easiest The Cardinals will enter next season with new leadership in place in head coach and offensive wizard Ken Whisenhunt and assistant head... more

CHICAGO BEARS Head coach: Lovie Smith (31-21 overall record) Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 3rd easiest; Run -- 10th hardest The Bears decided to start the Cedric Benson era after the trade of veteran Thomas Jones (Jets), so the former first-round selection out of... more

The second week of preseason is almost complete, and several stories and scenarios that will have major draft implications have developed. As a result, our Monday version of the Fantasy Training Camp Notebook will focus on a checklist of the top 20 news bits that will affect fantasy football... more

The Indianapolis Colts found immense success last season with the two-headed backfield monster of Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes. In fact, the two could have been co-MVPs of Super Bowl XLI if a certain quarterback named Peyton Manning wasn't on the team. But after the departure of... more

Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards was hoping to announce his starting quarterback about midway through the preseason. But after Thursday night's 11-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the battle between Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard remains unsettled. What's more, the team's backfield... more

Decisions, decisions, decisions -- fantasy football owners will have to make plenty of them when it comes time for the draft. And while the ability to unearth sleepers and avoid those players who could experience decreases in statistical success is vital, it will be that much more important... more

When we talk about a player who retired from pro football on top of the world, we think of John Elway after his MVP performance in Super Bowl XXXIII. But another player who finished his career with a Super Bowl title is former 49ers offensive linemen Randy Cross, whose last game was Super... more

With training camps in full gear, it's now time for fantasy football owners to put their noses to the grindstone and seek out every little nugget of information to help them in that ever-important quest for a league championship. While camp performances and preseason contests won't... more

Mike, can you give us your top sleepers at receiver, tight end and defense? - M. Rifkin, Selden, N.Y. Michael Fabiano: There are quite a few tremendous sleepers at the receiver position, but my top choices are Mark Clayton, Vincent Jackson, Santonio Holmes and D.J. Hackett. All should... more

Running backs are considered the most vital position in fantasy football, but the increase in effective pass attacks around the NFL has made the wide-receiver and tight-end positions that much more valuable in recent seasons. As a result, knowledge of the receiver positions from... more

One of the players that fantasy owners are waiting to watch in a preseason game is Donovan McNabb. Well, it looks like they'll get their first chance to see the talented quarterback this Friday night. McNabb, who sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a... more

The entire world of fantasy football watched with bated breath in the offseason as it was announced which athlete would be on the cover of the Madden 2008 video game. After all, the now infamous curse that seems have haunted players on the past six covers has become the most prominent jinx... more

The National Football League has become the true passion of sports fans across the United States over the past decade, so it's no shock that the popularity of fantasy football has also increased at an enormous rate. An estimated 30 million people participated in leagues last season, and... more

(July 16, 2007) ??? We, as fantasy football owners, can sometimes have short memories. Instead of looking at a player's overall value, we rate him based on what he did (or didn't do) in his most recent season. That sort of outlook can make us pass on certain players, especially... more

Fantasy football is all about the numbers. The team whose players record the most yards and score the most touchdowns on a week-to-week basis will ultimately have the best chance at reaching the top of the mountain and win that coveted league title. But in preseason action,... more

The start of every new fantasy football season brings a high level of competition, excitement and, of course, questions about players. Who will be the biggest surprise? Which rookie will have the most value? Will I be able to pronounce Houshmandzadeh? OK, well that last one... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! The first full week of preseason action is almost complete, and with it has come a number of stories and scenarios that will have major draft implications. As a result, our Monday version... more

When Thomas Jones went down in Sunday's practice and limped off the field, a collective gasp could be heard from both New York Jets fans and fantasy football owners alike. The veteran running back, who was acquired from Chicago in the offseason, had sustained what was described as... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! It seems to happen every season -- a player comes out of the woodwork and off the waiver wire to become a useful asset for fantasy football owners. Whether it's in a prominent... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! In what was a showdown of two of the NFL's premier offenses, the Detroit Lions came back from a 26-10 deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-26 in one of two Thursday night... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! The retirement of Tiki Barber left a void in the New York Giants backfield and has left fantasy owners with one less reliable back to choose in the first round of drafts. But if Brandon... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! Kevin Jones emerged as one of the more productive runners in the NFL last season. The Detroit running back recorded career bests in receptions, receiving yards and total touchdowns before... more

From the late 1980s to the mid 1990s, few tight ends found the same level of statistical success as Brent Jones. The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion recorded 500-plus yards six times in his career and was one of the best tight ends in fantasy football at a time when... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! Whether he has a sore hamstring and is riding a stationary bike in a Discovery Channel shirt, or his (former) personal assistant is talking about the 25 million reasons he should be... more

With training camps now in full gear around the NFL, fantasy football owners are deeply entrenched in their draft strategies and preparation. With that in mind, we offer our seventh and final one-man mock draft for the 2007 season. Again, each numbered position of the draft will represent an... more

Updated on July 31 NFL.com offers its complete fantasy football player rankings and Top 100 for the 2007 season. This rank list will be updated on a regular basis throughout the offseason, training camp and in the preseason in an effort to allow our readers the most up-to... more

Don't forget to sign up today forNFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! I am inheriting a team in an eight-team keeper league and need toretain three players from Jason Campbell, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger,Joseph Addai, Ronnie Brown, Brandon Jacobs, Ca... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's freefantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! With August now less than two weeks away, fantasy football owners are startingto gear up for their ever-important drafts. While cheat sheets, depth chartsand of course, copies of the NFL.com Fant... more

  The name Priest Holmes used to strike fear into the opposition, both on the field and in the world of fantasy football. A versatile veteran who became the heir apparent to Marshall Faulk as the NFL's best running back, Holmes rushed for an impressive 5,933 yards with the Kansas C... more

Don't forget to sign up today forNFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! I am inheriting a team in an eight-team keeper league and need toretain three players from Jason Campbell, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger,Joseph Addai, Ronnie Brown, Brandon Jacobs, Carne... more

I am inheriting a team in an eight-team keeper league and need toretain three players from Jason Campbell, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger,Joseph Addai, Ronnie Brown, Brandon Jacobs, Carnell Williams, Braylon Edwards,Greg Jennings, Santana Moss and Hines Ward. I also have the first pick in ther... more

Two of the NFL's most well known quarterbacks were in the news this week,but for far different reasons. The Miami Dolphins terminated the contract ofDaunte Culpepper, making him an unrestricted free agent, and Michael Vick wasindicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to dogfighting.~c... more

Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! How does Warrick Dunn's back injury affect the value of Jerious Norwood? Should he be considered a viable No. 2 fantasy back? Where will he be selected in drafts? - J.... more

  Don't forget to sign up today for NFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers opened the NFL's preseason schedule last night with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, a contest won by the... more

Don't forget to sign up today forNFL.com's free fantasy game or NFL League Manager 2007! I just completed my first fantasy football draft and wanted to get youropinion on my team. Here are my picks: Round 1: Brian Westbrook, Round 2:Reggie Bush, Round 3: Anquan Boldin; Round 4: Javon... more

Whether you're an experienced veteran with a wealth of football knowledge ora wet-behind-the-ears rookie who knows more about Michael Jackson than StevenJackson, there are a number of rules that will assist you once your draft hasconcluded in that ever-important quest for a fantasy football cha... more