NFL Playoff Fantasy Football: The Fantasy Six-Pack

I know fantasy football season may be over, but the five postseason competitions I’ve entered are telling me different.

• We may have seen the last of Brian Westbrook, especially as an elite fantasy RB. The guy still has some skills, but you could tell he’s too concerned with taking the big hit and Philadelphia clearly looks to be moving on. LeSean McCoy is likely to be the main RB next season. So long Westy, it’s been nice knowing you and thanks for the good years.

• I know the Bengals are done and they looked terrible down the stretch, but Cedric Benson was a man-child this season and that looks to continue. Marvin Lewis has already gone out and stated the Bengals will be run-heavy in 2010, so don’t expect a decline from Benson who will be on the last year of his current contract.

• “The Patriots Dynasty is over.” Please don’t shed too many tears for Bill Belicheat and the Bundchen Gang, as they still have a very young defense, three second-round picks in 2010, two first-round picks in 2011(thanks to the Raiders being idiots), and also that guy named Tom Brady to build around. “Yeah, we’ll never hear from them again.”

• The 2009 MVP has been announced and it’s Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. There’s no doubting his talent and the total control he has over the Colts’ machine, but what’s really concerning me here is the fact that nobody voted for Chris Johnson. Manning received 39.5 votes, Drew Bress received 7.5 votes, Philip Rivers received two votes, and Brett Favre only got one vote. I know that “Everybody Loves a QB,” but this is getting way out of control.

• All right, I can’t help it. I’m really getting stoked up about Pete Carroll coming back to the NFL. He’s going to be instituting his west-coast system, he’s bringing in Jeremy Bates, and now he just hired Alex Gibbs to be the offensive line coach. If you’re not familiar with Gibbs, he is the Godfather of the Zone Blocking scheme made famous in Denver under Mike Shanahan. Justin Forsett might be a very interesting player this offseason.

• Finally, give us a shout-out Wednesday Night 9 PM ET over at The Fantasy Exchange Podcast. Live Advice, News/Notes, Playoff Talk, and Matchup Previews. We’ll even get Brenda Warner’s take on her husband’s prospective retirement.

OK, here are a few start 'ems for the playoff games this week if you’re still alive in your playoff pools, contests, and such. You can either get some advice or experience how dead wrong I am...

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. Arizona

I love this pick for a survivor league, in which you can only use a player once. Yes , I think the Saints are going to choke, but that doesn’t mean Drew Brees won’t still have a great game. The Cards gave up plenty of points to the Packers and can be beaten through the air, so I’m looking for the Saints to put points up on the board in another game that should be a safe “Over.”

RB Thomas Jones, New York at San Diego

On that survivor note, now is the time to use Thomas Jones! He’s in a great situation and the Chargers can still be had on the ground with the lack of talent on their D-Line. Shonn Greene has been getting used a lot more, but I still expect the Jets to stick to the run and I’m looking for TJ to hit pay-dirt at least once.

WR Derrick Mason, Baltimore at Indianapolis

This should be a no-brainer, but with the Ravens going up against the injury-riddled Colts' secondary, look for Derrick Mason to have a ton of targets in this matchup. The veteran WR should be in store for at least 70 yards receiving and should find his way to the end zone in the process. If you’ve still got the chance to use Mason, now is the time.

WR Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis vs. Baltimore

I know it’s no fun to have more than two or three players in a game, but the roof should be closed in Indianapolis, making for excellent passing conditions. The Ravens do have Ed Reed back in the lineup, but their corner backs are still very suspect and Manning targeted Pierre Garcon eight times in the team’s last game against the Ravens, giving him six receptions and 100+ yards. I like his chances with the Ravens trying their best to shut down Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne.

TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans vs. Arizona

I hate going with only one Brees target, but I’ve got a feeling today is "Jimmy Shaker Day ," and this weekend will be a good time to start Jeremy Shockey. The Saints do have a good matchup, but I think Shockey will get open deep and expose a Cardinals’ defense that will be going out of its way to stop Marques Colston and Robert Meachem.

PK Neil Rackers, Arizona at New Orleans

We’ve got to touch on the special-teamers and we knocked one out of the park last week with the super special-teamer Jay Feely, but this week we need somebody involved in the game that should feature the most points scored. The Cardinals’ Neil Rackers had only missed one kick all year before last weekend, and he should be in store for a lot of points regardless of if they come via seven extra points or three field goals.

Thanks for reading folks and if you’ve got any comments, questions, or complaints please bang them out below and you can also send ‘em my way to [e-mail]