Sure Thing - Players you must start on your team

Brian Westbrook - vs. Buffalo

Smokin' Joe:

(A) The Bills allowed 289 yards rushing to the Giants last week. Start Westbrook. Start him twice if you can.

Clinton Portis - vs. Dallas

CrunchTime:

(A) As a top-5 back in a must win situation Portis will definitely come to work this weekend. Portis owners should be glad to have the most qualified fantasy back with a purpose this weekend. Normally this is a much tougher match up than it will end up being this week so I expect a lot from him as the Redskins try and squeeze into the playoffs.

LaDainian Tomlinson - at Oakland

StingRay:

(A) Tomlinson is on a roll and the Chargers need a win to secure the number 3 seed.

Steven Jackson - at Arizona

StingRay:

(A-) Jackson has been playing well so I would expect another solid outing of him this week.

Strong Starter - Players you should give strong consideration to starting

Aaron Stecker - at Chicago

Smokin' Joe:

(B+) Stecker didn't do much last weekend but he should get plenty of yards against the Bears' weak rushing defense.

Kenny Watson - at Miami

CrunchTime:

(B+) If Johnson can't go (which is how it appears it will be) Watson could be a great weapon this week against a rush defense that gives up over 155 rushing yards per game. Look for 100+ yards and a score for sure.

Laurence Maroney - at New York Giants

CrunchTime:

(B+) He's been an absolute beast the last two weeks and should carry that into this week. Whether the Giants are trying to stay in the game by containing the pass, or sitting their starters, Maroney is not going to have the Giants' full attention and should have success on the ground.

Frank Gore - at Cleveland

Smokin' Joe:

(B) Gore should have no problems producing against the Browns this Sunday.

Jamal Lewis - vs. San Francisco

Smokin' Joe:

(B) Lewis has a nice match up against the 49ers 22nd ranked rushing defense.

LenDale White - at Indianapolis

CrunchTime:

(B) Indy is 18th against the rush when their first string is in, and I don't think you'll see that crew a whole lot this weekend. White has been a truck of late and should continue to pound the ball again this week. They need him to win, and they need to win to keep playing.

Adrian Peterson - at Denver

StingRay:

(B-) The Broncos will have 8 in the box but their run defense is so poor Peterson will do all right.

Jesse Chatman - vs. Cincinnati

CrunchTime:

(B-) Their running game has been pretty solid all season and this week they face a team that's had trouble with the run consistently. His biggest concern this week should be how many carries Lorenzo Booker gets from him.

Kolby Smith - at New York Jets

StingRay:

(B-) Smith had over 100 total yards last week. He should be able to produce similar numbers against the Jets.

Adrian Peterson - vs. New Orleans

Smokin' Joe:

(B-) Peterson had over 100 yards and a touchdown last week. He should approach similar numbers at home again this week.

Gut Check - Players you should only consider starting if you don't have a better option

Dominic Rhodes - vs San Diego

StingRay:

(C+) Rhodes posted over 100 yards last week but that will be difficult to repeat against San Diego.

Edgerrin James - vs St.Louis

StingRay:

(C+) James gets yards but he never scores.

Lorenzo Booker - vs. Cincinnati

CrunchTime:

(C+) Booker has started to see more of a role but is still getting fewer carries than Chatman each week. If you are desperate look to him to exploit the weak Cincy rush defense.

Marshawn Lynch - at Philadelphia

Smokin' Joe:

(C+) I like Lynch but the Eagles have not allowed a 100 yard rusher in six weeks. Lynch might get 100 but I don't consider him a Strong Start.

Michael Pittman - vs. Carolina

CrunchTime:

(C+) It's looking like Pittman is going to get most of the work this week and he's always been one to produce when given the chance. This week against a mediocre rush defense that should be no different. The only reason he's not a Strong Starter is the risk that Graham may eat up a chunk of the first half carries.

Brandon Jacobs - vs. New England

CrunchTime:

(C) He's got a lot going against him this week. The 10th ranked rush defense of New England, his sore ankle, and the likelihood that he'll sit the minute this game gets away from them are all reasons not to count on his production this week. That said, he'll probably get some good work in early.

Julius Jones - at Washington

CrunchTime:

(C) Normally Jones doesn't get much action, but I have a feeling he could get a little more work than usual in this meaningless game against Washington. That said, they are still a stout rush defense and won't give up anything easily.

Warrick Dunn - vs. Seattle

CrunchTime:

(C) His production hasn't been great, and that's unlikely to change significantly this week. With Seattle likely to start thinking about the playoffs Dunn is an interesting gamble this week. Unfortunately he's not more than a gamble at this point.

Willis McGahee - vs. Pittsburgh

Smokin' Joe:

(C) McGahee might have a good game but it will only be because the Steelers are resting their starters. The Steelers rank 3rd against the run.

Jerious Norwood - vs. Seattle

CrunchTime:

(C-) His numbers are never very impressive and this week isn't likely to be any different. Seattle's typically decent rush defense will likely be a bit softer, but great match ups haven't translated into great scoring for Norwood this season.

Marion Barber - at Washington

CrunchTime:

(C-) Facing a top ten rush defense in a meaningless game doesn't suggest we'll see much from Barber this week. He's always a threat to get that early touchdown, but he's not going to get the opportunity to grind it out this week.

Najeh Davenport - at Baltimore

Smokin' Joe:

(C-) The Ravens are 2nd against the run so he has a tough match up. Plus the Steelers have already clinched their playoff position so he will not play much.

Ron Dayne - vs. Jacksonville

Smokin' Joe:

(C-) Dayne is practicing again and should get the majority of carries, but aganst a tough defense.

Rudi Johnson - at Miami

CrunchTime:

(C-) He's questionable but would be a great option given this is the worst ranked rush defense in the league.

Ryan Grant - vs. Detroit

Smokin' Joe:

(C-) The Packer starters are only expected to play the first half. You should look elsewhere.

Thomas Jones - vs Kansas City

StingRay:

(C-) Jones has only one touchdown on the season but he does have a favorable match up.

TJ Duckett - at Green Bay

Smokin' Joe:

(C-) Jones is out with an injury so Duckett will start but Tatum Bell will get some carries as well.

Forget About It - Players you shouldn't even think about starting

DeShaun Foster - at Tampa Bay

CrunchTime:

(D+) Last week's performance was bad enough to make sitting him an easy call this week. Dallas may have a tough rush defense, but there's no excuse for what they did to him last week. Tampa won't be playing their starters the entire time, but I don't know how much that will help someone who was just held under 10 yards.

Seattle Running Backs - at Atlanta

CrunchTime:

(D+) Look for an assortment of backs to get work this week. For you Shaun owners, just be glad the season is ending and you can pick someone else next season.

Fred Taylor / Maurice Jones-Drew - at Houston

Smokin' Joe:

(D) The Jaguars have nothing to gain this week so leave them all on the bench.

Joseph Addai - vs. Tennessee

CrunchTime:

(D) A top ten rushing defense and a banged up shoulder suggest Addai won't get many chances and won't do a whole lot with them. Look elsewhere this week as he needs the rest and they don't need the win.

Selvin Young / Travis Henry - vs Minnesota

StingRay:

(F) Henry and Young will have no success against the Minnesota run defense.