Fantasy Football: Updated Divisional-Round Rankings

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To help the Bruno Boys Nation win FREE PRIZES, we bring to you the Divisional Round Updated Rankings.  

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RISERS 

WR Steve Breaston (Arizona Cardinals) @ Carolina

Teammate Anquan Boldin's injuries in the regular season opened the door for Breaston to become a legit fantasy option, and it appears his injured hammy will do the same for Breaston in the playoffs.

With Boldin expected to occupy nothing more than a limited role, Breaston should see more opportunities than normal on Saturday, and like he did during the season, he should capitalize.

WR Derrick Mason (Baltimore Ravens) @ Tennessee

Same old story here. Despite the shoulder pain and limited participation in practice all week long, Mason will suit up and play this weekend. And chances are he puts up yet another solid performance as he's been doing week after week while playing with the injury. 

K Matt Stover (Baltimore Ravens) @ Tennessee

While listed as "questionable" on the injury report, there's no question that the kicker will be playing on Saturday. Stover has been extremely solid of late and makes for a strong option in a game that's sure to see a lot of field goals as both defenses will bend but not break. 

RB Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) @ New York Giants

He missed practice all of Wednesday and Thursday and was nothing more than a limited participant on Friday, but don't read anything into that. The Eagles are just trying to keep their bread and butter fresh.

Westbrook will be on the field on Sunday, and after a solid Wild Card round in which he totaled 121 yards and a score, he's definitely a RB1 option this weekend.

TE L.J. Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) @ New York Giants

After missing Philadelphia's last two games, Smith is "probable" for Sunday's match-up with the Giants. Unable yet to live up to his potential, Smith should be counted on for nothing more than 3 to 4 fantasy points, the very numbers he put up against the Giants in their two regular season match-ups.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Hines Ward, WR Santonio Holmes, & TE Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. San Diego

There were concerns as to whether Big Ben would be ready or not for this weekend's playoff round following a concussion suffered in week 17, but with the quarterback practicing all week long, those concerns have been alleviated.

Big Ben's presence under center should mean a big day for the Steelers' pass offense as they'll match-up with the 31st ranked pass defense of the regular season in the San Diego Chargers, a team that Big Ben racked up 308 passing yards against earlier this season.

RB Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers) @ Pittsburgh

It appears "David" will have yet another chance to take "Goliath" down as everyone's favorite miniature back, Darren Sproles, will once again shoulder the running back load for the Chargers.

This weekend's task is a bit tougher as he'll have to run against the staunch Steelers' run defense, but another big game from Sproles could lead to a big pay check this off-season.

TE Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) @ Pittsburgh

Undoubtedly the biggest tight end name still left in these playoffs, owners will be happy to hear that despite not practicing all week long, Gates will be on the field on Sunday. Still, the Bruno Boys would like to caution all of our readers that with his banged up ankle and a matchup with a tough Steelers' defense, Gates may not be worth the high price it'll cost to utilize him.

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FALLERS

QB Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) @ Carolina

While we still highly recommend utilizing Warner this weekend, it is worth noting that the quarterback will likely be without stud Anquan Boldin (see below) for the majority of his snaps on Saturday.  

WR Anquan Boldin (Arizona Cardinals) @ Carolina

Boldin missed all three of Arizona's heavier practices this week and was a mere limited participant in their light walkthrough on Friday. He remains a game-time decision for Saturday's affair with the Carolina Panthers, but the situation is not looking too good. At best, he'll play on Saturday, filling a more limited role than normal.

It might be best to rest your fantasy playoff chances elsewhere. 

TE Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens) @ Tennessee

Once a valued commodity at the tight end position, Heap has seen his value dip tremendously over the past two seasons. It dips even further this weekend as he's dealing with back issues. As it is do or die, Heap will give it a go, but with him being ineffective at 100 percent, do you really want to rely on him at say 70 percent to 80 percent.

TE Brent Celek (Philadelphia Eagles) @ New York Giants

While we don't expect Celek to disappear into fantasy irrelevance with LJ Smith returning, we do expect Smith's presence to cut into Celek's opportunities a bit; thereby, detracting from his fantasy value.

RB LaDainain Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) @ Pittsburgh

LT and the playoffs just don't seem to mix as the running back has missed time in each of the Chargers' last two playoff appearances due to injury. A torn tendon in his groin is likely to keep the back out of Sunday's game with the Steelers. Currently, he is sporting a "doubtful" tag.

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