Josh McCown's Instant Fantasy Reaction for 2013 Fantasy Playoffs

As long as Josh McCown isn't a backup for the Chicago Bears, he shouldn't be a backup for your fantasy team. 

The 11-year veteran took his recent white-hot play to another level on Monday night, torching the Dallas Cowboys for 348 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also added a score on the ground, likely leading plenty of fantasy owners to some miraculous wins in the process. 

Lane Kiffin's defense is a colander right now, but as ESPN's Michael C. Wright and NFL.com's Ian Rapoport point out, McCown has been putting up some gaudy numbers for several weeks in a row now:

The only problem? Jay Cutler. 

Cutler returned to practice this past week, and although he was inactive on Monday, he appears very close to returning. Whenever that happens, it's widely assumed that he will take back the reins of Chicago's offense, no matter how well McCown is playing. 

If McCown does start, he is in the right offense and has the weapons in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte to be a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 against the stingy Cleveland Browns defense next week, and a legitimate top-seven play against the Philadelphia Eagles in championship week. 

You obviously aren't benching Peyton Manning or someone like that, but as long as McCown is in the lineup, you should feel confident playing him.