WITH Thanksgiving eating up three games of the NFL schedule, most owners have set their lineups for the weekend. Don’t get too comfortable though.

While Thanksgiving's games featured some truly great matchups for owners like Titans running back Chris Johnson vs. the Lions defense or Tony Romo vs. Seattle.

Sunday is still the day to set the DVR.

Who can’t wait to see the Colts light up the Browns defense? Randy Lerner? Bob Golic?

The one thing that could prevent Peyton Manning from three touchdown passes is snow. With the forecast calling for mostly cloudy, Manning can resume his hot streak in former St. Ignatius wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez’s homecoming.

What are the chances Gonzalez gets a better reception from fans than Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards? Even former Browns starter Spergon Wynn, one of six quarterbacks drafted before Tom Brady in 2000, knows the answer hovers around 100 percent.

Gone baby gone?

Shaun Alexander’s brief stint with the Redskins is over. After Wayne Chrebet retired in 2005, I paid homage on my league’s Web site to the unheralded wide receiver‘s fantasy impact. You have to figure Alexander's days maybe numbered too.

The former No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy leagues only three seasons ago lit up the fantasy world with 27 rushing touchdowns for a then-single season record in 2005. Add the 1,800-plus rushing yards and Alexander was the dream No. 1 back until injury and age took his career downhill.

Is LaDainan Tomlinson heading to the same fate? I’ve heard tales of owners starting LT over Thomas Jones. I’ve witnessed owners trading him away in two leagues. Tomlinson, the record holder for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 28 in 2006, is no longer a bonafide sure thing week in and week out.

But there was one encouraging sign last week. He had 24 touches (a rush or catch) and is averaging 22 a game for the season. With Atlanta up next, barring injury Tomlinson should have his best game of the season.

The bold prediction is because his former backup Michael Turner will be starting for the Falcons. Turner, who is coming off a four-touchdown week, could be a great start too if he did set expectations so high with his last performance.

Catch them if you can

Wes Welker, New England wide receiver: The cupboard’s bare folks. Pickups are hard to find this time of season, but trades could still be an option. For two weeks, Matt Cassel has been on absolute fire. Randy Moss owners aren’t likely to sell any time soon. But Welker is a great option in a points-per-catch league, and he could be dealt for Santana Moss-type players straight up.

Tashard Choice, Dallas running back: Marion Barber left the Thanksgiving contest with an injury and didn't return. Rookie Felix Jones is out for the season, and Choice could shoulder the load if called upon next week. Monitor Barber's status, but pick up Choice as soon as possible.

Chester Taylor, Minnesota running back: For insurance sake. It will be the last time I mention him.

The fallen

Frank Gore, San Francisco running back: His matchups aren’t rosy for the next two weeks (at Buffalo and at home vs. the Jets), but he should bounce back in big fashion in Week 15 and 16 vs. the Dolphins and Rams.

Tyler Thigpen, Kansas City quarterback: It’s hard to get overly excited with the Chiefs standing at 1-10, but owners have taken a chance on the guy after decent games recently. After watching Oakland shut down Jay Cutler last week, what can Thigpen do?

Four and out

1. Don’t expect much from Peyton Hillis. 2. Lee Evans' monster game is coming soon. 3. See ya next year Brady Quinn in Round 6. 4. Be careful if you have a Jets kicker.

For fantasy football questions, e-mail Francis Bova at fbova@MorningJournal.com

Looking down the road at intriguing matchups in fantasy's last week of the season. If you're in the playoffs or shooting for the points lead, look ahead.
Week 17 matchups:
Matt Ryan and Michael Turner (vs. St. Louis)
Marshawn Lynch (vs. New England)
Cedric Benson (vs. Kansas City)
Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant (vs. Detroit)
Matt Forte (vs. Houston)
Willie Parker (vs. Cleveland)
Earnest Graham (vs. Oakland)
Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Tim Hightower, Anquan Boldin (vs. Seattle)
LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates (vs. Denver)
Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall (vs. San Diego)
Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley, Santana Moss (vs. San Francisco)

After Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson’s dominant 192-rushing yard peformance against the Packers on Sunday, fantasy owners probably jumped in glee.

The former Oklahoma star reclaimed his No. 1 overall pick form and now leads the league in rushing. It also marked his fourth straight 100-plus rushing performance.

He is the new LaDainian Tomlinson.

The Vikings made a huge leap, too.

They positioned themselves for a playoff push with the NFC North win and our tied with "Da Bears."

With fantasy playoffs approaching, let’s glance into the future and pull out the best matchups down the stretch for Peterson and others.

For sanity’s sake, I’ll assume playoffs run from Week 14 to Week 16.

Quarterbacks: Kurt Warner, who reinvigorated hall of fame chat with his recent performances, barring he stays health appears to be an early front-runner for playoff performer of the year. His Week 14 matchup against the Rams at home screams, at least, two to three touchdowns. The next two weeks, Warner and Co. play the Vikings and New England. Neither matchup is ideal, but the Vikings have such a great run defense the Cardinals may just stay in a three-wide receiver set the entire game. The Patriots are so banged up, you would think they have the Browns luck if it weren’t for their Super Bowl rings.

After Jay Cutler crushed the Browns season like John Elway used too, he has, argubably, the best matchup of Week 14 with the Chiefs. Cutler could easily throw 200 yards and two scores by half in the home game. The only thing that could prevent a monster game is some Mile-High snow.

Running backs: Peterson rolls against Detroit (Week 14), Arizona (Week 15) and Atlanta (Week 16). Chances are he slows down against Tampa Bay this week or Chicago in Week 15.
He has the potential to carry a fantasy team down the stretch.

Peterson’s only blemish, though, is scary. In his rookie season, he produced only 107 rushing yards and one touchdown combined in most league’s three most important games.

If you’ve been riding the Titans running backs, you’re in luck. LenDale White and speedster Chris Johnson take on the Browns (Week 14) and Houston (Week 15). They do, however, run into Pittsburgh in Week 16, but anything can happen in championship week. Maybe a backup like Fred Jackson will be starting by then.

Wide receivers: Naturally, Arizona’s trio of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and, somehow, Steve Breaston are potential good starts. But Reggie Wayne, if healthy, could make his return to prominence. The Colts No. 1 guy has the Bengals (Week 14), Detroit (Week 15) and Jacksonville (Week 16) in three-highly favorable matchups. If you had the good fortune to pair him with Peyton Manning, you could win your title.

Catch them if you can ...

Shaun Alexander, Redskins: Both recommended pickups this week, feel like throwbacks to three years ago. Now, they’re more spare parts. Alexander, by default, could start on Sunday night against the Cowboys with Clinton Portis teetering as a game-time decision. For Portis owners, Alexander and/or Ladell Betts are must-haves. For gamblers, Alexander is like going all-in with a three and eight off-suited.

Tatum Bell, Broncos: Peyton Hillis is the probably starter, but the fullback doesn’t play like former Tampa Bay goal-line wonder Mike Alstott. Bell, with or without Rudi Johnson’s luggage, knows the Broncos system well and could fit in down the stretch. But you can’t help after last Thursday and think it is Cutler’s show for the rest of the season.

The fallen ...

Braylon Edwards, Browns: He busted out officially weeks ago, but Brady Quinn’s start gave him another chance. Well, Quinn barely looked downfield for his No. 1 wide receiver. Maybe he attempts it more on Monday night against the Bills, but that is a big maybe.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots: The rookie busted out for a 100-yard rushing game and has scored in four straight weeks. He has a cool name, and he earned Bill Belichick’s praise this week. Sammy Morris, though, is back practicing and Kevin Faulk is still around. And he plays the Jets this week.

Four and out

1. Monitor Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams. 2. Kellen Winslow is back to must-start status. 3. Willis McGahee is back to being the guy in Baltimore. 4. The Jets defense keeps getting better.

For any fantasy-related questions contact Francis Bova at fbova@MorningJournal.com.

Edgerrin James lost his edge. With backup Tim Hightower’s emergence on Sunday, insurance once again cashed in for fantasy football’s most famous strategy. The foresight to handcuff your top players with their backups can make or break a season.

Hopefully, you didn’t lose your edge.

With league playoffs starting in weeks, why not have a plan?

Tonight is the perfect example: Brady Quinn gets his first start as Browns quarterback. If you anticipated the move, you had him sitting on your bench and will plug him in against one of the league’s worst defenses in the Broncos.

Otherwise, he may be playing against your team. If he reignites Cleveland’s once top-flight offense, the results will show up like a Reggie Langhorne appearance at a Browns Backer gathering. If not, he was an insurance policy for a reason.

Some others players to consider down the stretch: Chester Taylor (for Adrian Peterson), Jerious Norwood (for Michael Turner), Ken Darby or Antonio Pittman (for Steven Jackson), Dominic Rhodes (for Joseph Addai), Darren Sproles (for LaDainian Tomlinson) and the new favorite Fred Jackson (for Marshawn Lynch). See more below.

Another thing to consider: Carry two kickers on your roster in the playoffs. If your league bans pickups in the postseason, you don’t want to be blind sided at an overlooked position.

Romo back?

If everything goes to plan, Tony Romo is expected back after this week’s bye. Week 11 was the initial target date and it remains the same after flirtations with bringing the broken-pinkied quarterback back were nothing but rumors.

How much longer can Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger keep Terrell Owens’ stats down? Nevermore?

With Romo probably back, the Roy Williams era can unofficially begin again and the Cowboys can remain relevant.

Catch them if you can ...

Ryan Torain, Broncos running back: The rookie looked awesome against the Browns on Thursday night, but is now out for the season with a torn ACL. If you're feeling lucky, relative unknown running back Ken Darby will make his first start for the Rams in place of Steven Jackson. Darby, though, is going against a stout Jets defensive line.

Ray Rice, Ravens running back: If you made it through the pain of the Browns game on Sunday, you already know. The rookie shredded Cleveland’s defense for 154 yards. With a matchup at Houston, he proved he can carry the workload with a career-high 21 carries but will Willis McGahee play and take them away?

The fallen ...

The Bears offense: For one week, Matt Forte and the injured Kyle Orton should be riding the pine against the unbeaten Tennessee Titans and their brick wall for a front seven. Forte, a definite No. 1 back, should only sit though if a Maurice Jones-Drew (against the Lions) or Tim Hightower (against the 49ers) matchup sits on your roster.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers quarterback: He makes his first start in the Metrodome against the Vikings. Brett Favre never performed particularly well there. So by default, Rodgers must prove it with a stellar game on the road against the division foe.

Four and out

1. The Bengals, Cowboys, Buccaneers and Redskins have byes. 2. The byes are over after this week. 3. The Colts travel to Pittsburgh and benching Joseph Addai doesn’t seem like a bad idea. 4. San Diego plays the Chiefs. Consider all Chargers options.

For any fantasy football-related information or questions e-mail Francis Bova at fbova@MorningJournal.com.

Here are some potential handcuffs or backups for players, in case, of injury or suspension. If you have an extra roster spot, it may be worth it for a push down the stretch.

Cardinals
Matt Leinart (for Kurt Warner)
Steve Breaston (for Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin)
Edgerring James (for Tim Hightower)

Falcons
Michael Jenkins (for Roddy White)
Jerious Norwood (for Michael Turner)

Bears
Kevin Jones (for Matt Forte)


Cowboys
Tashard Choice (for Marion Barber)
Martellus Bennett (for Jason Whitten)

Broncos
Selvin Young (for Tatum Bell)
Eddie Royal (for Brandon Marshall)

Packers
Brandon Jackson (for Ryan Grant)

Colts
Anthony Gonzalez (for Reggie Wayne)
Dominic Rhodes (for Joseph Addai)

Chiefs
Jamal Charles (for Larry Johnson)

Vikings
Chester Taylor (for Adrian Peterson)

Giants
Derrick Ward (for Brandon Jacobs)

Jets
Leon Washington (for Thomas Jones)


Steelers
Mewelde Moore (for Willie Parker)

Chargers
Darren Sproles (for LaDainian Tomlinson)
Billy Volek (for Phillip Rivers)

49ers
DeShaun Foster (for Frank Gore)

Rams
Antonio Pittman (for Steven Jackson)
Donnie Avery (for Torry Holt)

Redskins
Ladell Betts (for Clinton Portis)