Fantasy Football Rankings: Top Matchup Plays at Every Position

We've hit the ninth week of the 2012 NFL season, which means that in fantasy football, the playoffs are beginning to draw near as some teams vie for a first-round bye, others try to keep their championship dreams alive and others resign themselves to playing the role of spoiler.

No matter which category you find yourself in, any fantasy owner worth his salt will keep hammering away, trying each week to put the possible lineup on the "field."

To assist you in doing so, here's a look at some matchup plays this week that should leave their fantasy owners smiling.

QB: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (at WAS)

Fantasy owners that drafted Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the hopes of a repeat of his outstanding rookie season have been left largely disappointed.

Through seven games this year, Newton has only eight touchdowns with 11 turnovers and ranks outside the top 15 fantasy quarterbacks.

However, if ever there was a week for Newton to come up this big, it's this week when the Panthers travel to the nation's capital, as the Washington Redskins rank dead last in the NFL in pass defense and have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal-callers this season.

Other quarterbacks with favorable matchups: Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles (at NO), Matt Schaub, Houston Texans (vs. BUF), Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (at CLE)

RB: Matt Forte, Chicago Bears (at TEN)

It took a little while for him get on track as the result of a knee injury, but it appears that Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte is finally living up to his first-round billing this season, as the fifth-year pro now has 194 total yards and a touchdown over his past two games.

Forte should be able to build on that positive momentum this week when the Bears travel to the Music City to face the Tennessee Titans, who are allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year and give up nearly 140 yards a game on the ground.

Other running backs with favorable matchups: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (at NO), Arian Foster, Houston Texans (vs. BUF), Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins (vs. CAR)

WR: Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens (at CLE)

As is often the case with big-play wide receivers, it's been an up-and-down fantasy season for Torrey Smith of the Baltimore Ravens, as the second-year pro has been held to single-digit fantasy points in four of his seven games this year.

With that said, the table is set for an "up" week Sunday when the Ravens face the team they used to be, as only the Washington Redskins have surrendered more fantasy points to the wide receiver position than the Cleveland Browns in 2012.

Other wide receivers with favorable matchups: Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers (at WAS), Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles (at NO), Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders (vs. TB)

TE: Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. DEN)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham hasn't exactly met expectations in 2012, but it's hard to say that he's been a disappointment either.

The third-year pro, who had 56 catches for 596 yards and six touchdowns last year, finished 2011 as the 11th-ranked tight end in fantasy points per game, and to this point this season, Gresham sits in that exact same spot.

With that said, Gresham should fare a bit better this week when the Bengals host the Denver Broncos, who have been very kind to tight ends from a fantasy perspective so far this season.

Other tight ends with favorable matchups: Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (at WAS), Jacob Tamme, Denver Broncos (at CIN), Jared Cook (vs. CHI)

DEF: Green Bay Packers (vs. ARI)

The Arizona Cardinals have been a buffet of all-you-can-eat fantasy football goodness for opposing team defenses this season, as their lack of a running game and pass protection and change to John Skelton under center have left the offense in absolute shambles.

This week's beneficiary of the Cardinals' offensive ineptitude is the Green Bay Packers, and linebacker Clay Matthews and company should tee off against an Arizona squad allowing both the most sacks and fantasy points to opposing defenses in the NFL this year.

Other defenses with favorable matchups: San Diego Chargers (vs. KC), Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL), Detroit Lions (at JAX)