Forget The Next Five Weeks: Start Building For The Playoffs

Okay, so don't completely neglect the next five weeks, or you can forget about the playoffs. But you can make some sneaky trades to put yourself in a position to beat anyone in weeks 14-16.

Buying:

Joseph Addai, RB, Colts

He hasn't been healthy at all this month (which is why you should get a good price for him), but come December, he should be good to go. Addai gets home matchups vs CIN and DET in weeks 14-15. The Colts will not be resting their starters before the playoffs this year, so Addai should figure to see plenty of action, especially if the Colts start to rout the currently 0-8 Bengals and 0-8 Lions. CIN (28th in rush defense) is allowing 147 ypg and more than a touchdown per game. DET is allowing 163 ypg.

The Jags are 17th, allowing 108 ypg, but Addai should be able to eclipse that because he is an above-average back.

Drew Brees, QB, Saints

Brees faces some terrible pass defenses:ATL (24th), @CHI (29th), @DET (31st). His team probably won't be a lock to make the playoffs so they'll keep everyone in to win it. His receivers should be 100% by then, too.

Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings

Berrian continues to click with Gus Frerotte, and it should be a nice duo by the end of the season. He gets @DET (31st), @ARI (21st), and ATL (24th).

Matt Forte, RB, Bears

Forte faces JAC, NO, and GB run defenses in week 14-16, all at home at Soldier Field, where it is likely to be below freezing. The Bears play well at home, and JAC and NO are used to 70 degree winters. Plus, the Bears are a good team overall, with their 3 losses by a combined 8 points, and so it's not like they will fall into an early hole and be forced to throw the ball.

JAC (18th in rush defense), allows 108 ypg, NO (19th) allows 109 ypg, and GB (25th) allows 142 ypg. Seeing as Matt Forte sees 5 times as much action as the second stringer Kevin Jones, he should be a solid option in all of these games.

Selling:

Willie Parker, RB, Steelers

He gets Dallas at home in week 14, and goes @BAL and @TEN in the following weeks. Dallas (11th ranked rush defense) allows 96 ypg. @BAL (1st, 64 ypg), has allowed one rushing touchdown all year. TEN (10th, 90 ypg) is also very formidable.

Plus, Mewelde Moore has earned the third-down back position, which may cut into Willie Parker's carries once he's back from injuries.

Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys

@PIT (3rd, 72 ypg), NYG (7th, 86 ypg), and BAL (1st, 64 ypg) in weeks 14-16. Just don't do it.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins

@BAL (3rd), @CIN (8th), and PHI (12th). They will be gameplanning around Moss all day, and these pass defenses have the ability to do it. With the Bengals, they will probably run Clinton Portis all over them, get a good lead, and run some more, neglecting the pass. This means stay away from Jason Campbell too.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles

He's a great quarterback and should have his receivers healthy. But no one else has a tougher 3-game stretch than him. @NYG (5th), CLE (10th), and @WAS (11th). 6 of his next 8 games are against pass defenses ranked 11th or higher.

Any Steeler or Cowboy. Those defenses are just sick and nasty.