Justin Fargas' Promising Season Comes to an End

Looking for an RB to get you through the last weeks of the playoffs. Look no further that Dominic Rhodes of the Oakland Raiders. Rhodes, last years Super Bowl hero for the Indianapolis Colts, is still fresh from not having played much this year and should be a good fill in play for the Raiders rushing attack.

Top 3 Fantasy Football Playoff Strategies

The fantasy football playoffs are much like the major league baseball playoffs, a crapshoot. Any team that makes the playoffs can win the playoffs. However, with a little strategy, you can give your team a bit of an edge going into the last 3 weeks of the regular season. Here are my top 3 fantasy football playoff tips.

1. Know your division winners - Whether your league finishes in week 16 or 17, it is important to know which teams have clinched their playoff spot and thus have nothing else to play for. There are a few teams clinching early this year, (New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers). Don't be surprised in big names like TO and Brady see reduced playing time in the final weeks.
   
2. Watch the waiver wire like a hawk - Every year a few big names emerge in the last 3 weeks of the season. Teams out of contention will give increased playing time to young players and teams that have clinched are more likely to play backups. If you can score one of these players, it may win you a playoff game.
3. Play the matchups - If the regular season is about staying the course, the playoffs are about scoring big and scoring now. Go with the best players each week that have the best chance to score big. Matchups can play a key role in the playoffs. Your star player in the regular season may not be the best start in the playoffs.
   

There it is. Good luck and enjoy the last few weeks of the season.

Steven Jackson is Officially Inactive for Week 4

This was expected, but it still hurts to hear it. Steven Jackson, Rams RB, is officially inactive for week 4. Brian Leonard will get the start. If you haven't already grabbed him off the waiver wire, now is the time.

Fantasy Football Week 4 Injuries

Before you sign off on your lineup check these week 4 injury updates.

• Javon Walker (Broncos, WR) did not practice this week and will most likely sit out the game against the Colts.
  
• Brandon Jackson (Packers, RB) will not play against the Vikings this week. Vernand Morency could see action for the first time this year. Hard to start a GB RB this week.
  
• Larry Johnson (Chiefs, RB) has a hammy issue and may not be 100%.
  
• Brian Westbrook (Eagles, RB) has an abdomen issue and is listed as questionable.
  
• Ahman Green (Texans, RB) is questionable and unlikely to play.
  
• Rudi Johnson (Bengas, RB) is questionable with a strained hammy but Marvin Lewis is confident that he will be available Monday night.
  
• Laurence Maroney (Patriots, RB) has a groin injury and is listed as questionable.
  
• Plaxico Burress (Giants, WR) is listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
• Hines Ward (Steelers, WR) has been ruled out for week 4.
  
• Jake Delhomme (Panthers, QB) missed practice on Friday and may not be able to start. David Carr would get the start, but this could also affect Steve Smith's production.
  
• Vernon Davis (49ers, TE) is likely to miss 2 weeks with a knee injury.
  

Deuce McAllister is Out for the Season

Sorry Deuce owners. The Deuce party that began last year for the New Orleans Saints has come to an end. Unfortunately, Deuce tore a knee ligament in the game against the Tennessee Titans on Monday night. This is the second season ending knee injury of his career.

We'll see if this leads to an increased workload for second year running back Reggie Bush.

2007 Fantasy Football - The Year of the Wide Receiver

While elite running backs continue to disappoint this fantasy football season through week 3, wide receivers are scoring like its a video game.

Owners of Steven Jackson, Ladainain Thompson, and Larry Johnson have seen only one 100 yard + rushing performance this year. Not a great return on investment.

Meanwhile, WR's are lighting it up. Randy Moss and Chad Johnson have over 800 yards and 8 touchdowns between them in 2 games. Plaxico Burress and TJ Houshmandzadeh have 9 TDs between them. Steve Smith already has 4 touchdowns.

Will these high scoring wide receivers keep it up for 16 games? Probably not. But for now, if you own one of these guys, sit back and enjoy the scoring.

Andre Johnson's run as Elite Receiver Takes a Hit

Andre Johnson has always been a good wide receiver. But so far this year he has been approaching elite category. In 2 games this year he has 14 receptions for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Johnson sprained his knee in last weeks game and will most likely not play this week against the Colts. This is a big blow for Johnson owners who may be without his services for as long as a month.

Jacoby Jones will start in Johnson's place and could be a decent play this week for fantasy football owners hurting at wide receiver.

Time to Panic - LaDainian Tomlinson and Steven Jackson Lay Another Egg

LaDainian Tomlinson and Steven Jackson were the consensus #1 and #2 picks in this year's fantasy football draft. Thus far, there are not living up to their lofty draft status.

Now, its early in the season....to early to write a verdict on these two. Both players have performed consistently well for multiple years (particularly LT).

But so far, it doesn't look like these two will come close to matching last years performances. Thus far LT has been held to only 68 yards rushing in two games. He has scored fantasy points only because of his versatility. The San Diego offense has looked completely out of sync.

On the bright side, they have faced two tough defenses in weeks 1 and 2 (Chicago and New England). Next weeks game against the Packers, who also have a pretty good defense, will be LT's chance to show that this won't be a down year for him.

Steven Jackson suffered the loss of Orlando Pace in game one and the Rams are now winless through 2 games. He has only 118 yards combined through week 2 and has yet to score a touchdown.

Its a long season, but those first 2 picks have some catching up to do if they want to pay off for their fantasy football owners.

Top 10 Sure Thing FF Running Back Projections for Week 2

There are some pretty good matchups this week at the running back position. Here are the top 10 sure-thing starters.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson @ NE - LT has bad blood for the Patriots and will run hard.
   
2. Joseph Addai @ Ten - The Titans have improved, but Addai will get his points.
   
3. Shaun Alexander @ Ari - Has the Cardinals D really improved that much. We'll find out.
   
4. Frank Gore @ Stl - Slow start last week....Gore should easily penetrate the Rams D-line.
   
5. Steven Jackson vs. SF - We'll see how much the loss of Pace hurts this team.
   
6. Willie Parker vs. Buf - Henry put up 100 in week 1....so will Willie.
   
7. Travis Henry vs. Oak - These teams still hate each other, but look for Henry to play well.
   
8. Brian Westbrook vs. Wash - The Eagles offense looked out of sync in week 1.
   
9. Rudi Johnson @ Clev - Had 145 yards and 2 TDs vs. the Browns in week 2 last year.
   
10. Adrian Peterson @ Det - Week 1 was no fluke. Peterson has already arrived.
    

Offensive Lineman Take a Big Hit in First Week

Both Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace suffered potentially season-ending injuries in week 1. This could have a significant effect on running backs Steven Jackson and Willis McGahee. Orlando Pace is out for the season and Jonathan Ogden is out indefinitely.

Steven Jackson and Willis McGahee both struggled in week 1 after losing the two dominant OL stars. It make take some time for the two teams to adjust to these losses. I would certainly continue to start Steven Jackson on a weekly basis, but McGahee may become a week to week decision based on matchups.