Here are my thoughts on the fantasy football players in this weekend’s divisional playoff games. These 2009-2010 fantasy football player playoff rankings are based on a standard scoring format. Good luck!
1. Drew Brees – If Rodgers can throw for 422 yards and score 5 TDs against the Cardinals, Brees certainly can.
2. Kurt Warner – what I said last week about Warner applies this week as well; a shootout means Warner is a great play this week with or without Boldin.
3. Peyton Manning – it is Peyton Manning in the playoffs, not much more needs to be said.
4. Tony Romo – the Cowboys will need Romo’s arm more than last week and that means better numbers than his output of 244 yards and 2 TDs against Philly.
5. Brett Favre – the Cowboys are a tough matchup for the Vikes, but I like a rested Favre to have a nice game this weekend.
Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez
This is not an easy week to pick the top QB play: take a look at the talent in this field of eight and you’ll see why. That said, I think Rivers is the long shot of the weekend when you consider he faces a Jets defense that has only given up nine (!!) passing TDs in 17 games – you do the math. Stick with one of the guys in the top five and you should be fine.
1. Ray Rice – I like Rice best again this week facing the leagues #24 rush defense – more so in PPR.
2. Adrian Peterson – Peterson faces a stiff test against the Cowboys, but he’ll come through.
3. Joseph Addai – ran for 74 yards and a TD when these two teams met in week 11.
4. LaDainian Tomlinson – If the Chargers get up early, LT could get a lot of work in this game.
5. Felix Jones – with Barber iffy to play, Jones should get most of the work on the ground.
6. Shonn Greene – Thomas Jones is expected to play, but I still like Greene a bit more.
7. Chris Wells – Should see around 15 touches and find the endzone.
8. Pierre Thomas – the best option of that 3-headed monster in New Orleans.
9. Thomas Jones – Greene and Jones will need to carry the load to help shorten this game.
10. Willis McGahee – Rice and McGahee are one of the most potent 1-2 punches in the league.
Tim Hightower, Reggie Bush, Marion Barber, Chester Taylor, Darren Sproles
Like last week, I think the best bets are in the top 5 with Rice and Peterson easily the strongest plays. Outside that range, guys to take chances on are Shonn Greene, Chris Wells and Willis McGahee. Although all are part of committees to varying degrees, they all have the upside to outperform their rankings. I would personally stay away from Marion Barber as there is just too much risk of him either not playing or aggravating that knee injury again. If you play in PPR, Reggie Bush is someone to consider if you are looking for a sneaky play.
1. Larry Fitzgerald – Highlight reel catches are commonplace for this guy.
2. Reggie Wayne – Hard not to love Wayne in any given week.
3. Miles Austin – Minnesota is suspect against the pass, so Austin should find room to roam.
4. Sidney Rice – Favre’s go-to guy should continue where he left off in the regular season.
5. Marques Colston – one of many options for Brees, his red zone looks give him the edge.
6. Steve Breaston – I’m not convinced Boldin plays, so that means a repeat performance for Breaston.
7. Robert Meachum – lots of catches and yards to go around in New Orleans.
8. Derrick Mason – caught 9 passes for 142 yards against Indy in week 11.
9. Roy Williams – totally overrated, but I like him this week against Minnesota.
10. Pierre Garcon – success feeds off attention on Wayne and Clark.
Vincent Jackson, Anquan Boldin, Malcolm Floyd, Braylon Edwards, Devery Henderson
Boldin again is the big question – if he plays, go with your gut; mine tells me Breaston is the better play either way. Colston and Meachum are pretty close for me, but as I said above I give the edge to Colston since Brees looks his way early and often in the red zone. Mason is one of the more underrated players this week and Vincent Jackson is just the opposite with Revis blanketing him all day. Because of that, Malcolm Floyd could end up the surprise WR of the week.
1. Jason Witten – Romo’s #1 target should come through this week.
2. Dallas Clark – hard not to see Clark with good numbers.
3. Antonio Gates –was the Chargers leading receiver this year and that will continue this weekend.
4. Jeremy Shockey – Finley went off against the Cardinals last week.
5. Dustin Keller – as good or better play than Braylon Edwards
Visanthe Shiancoe, Todd Heap, Ben Patrick
Any of the top three should be a fine choice this week, the rest are hit or miss.
1. Cowboys – playing at an elite level
2. Chargers – will play inspired at home
3. Vikings – good run defense and potential to score on special teams with Harvin
4. Colts – could have a nice day if offense can get a big lead early
5. Ravens – impressive on the road in New England last week, but this is a tougher task
Jets, Saints, Cardinals
I don’t see a lot of low scores this weekend, so go after defenses you think could score some defensive TDs – home defenses get the edge in that category. Saints and Cardinals looks like a shootout, so you won’t get a lot of points out of either unless they score on defense.
1. Garrett Hartley (NO)
2. Ryan Longwell (MIN)
3. Nate Kaeding (SD)
4. Shaun Suisham (DAL)
5. Matt Stover (IND)
Neil Rackers (ARI), Jay Feely (NYJ), Billy Cundiff (BAL)
With three dome games and the other in San Diego, any of these guys is capable of double-digit points this week.
Join the forum discussion 
on this post
[...] fantasy football rankings for all the games this weekend. Drew Brees and Kurt Warner should light up the SuperDome on [...]