Just a few weeks before the fantasy playoffs. It’s time not to lose …

SMART STARTS
Brett Favre, QB, Vikings: The Vikes are 8-1, which has taken much of the pressure off Favre to prove he made the right choice by returning. And he does better with less pressure. He gets a good matchup against the Seahawks, so expect 250 yards and 2-3 touchdowns.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Denver has all but made Moreno the featured back, and he’ll be used often against the Chargers with quarterback Kyle Orton sidelined.

Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: Slaton had a Sunday off to regroup following his Week 8 benching and subsequent split role in Week 9 (in which he scored a touchdown. Don’t be surprised if the bye did him good, and against the visiting Titans, if he racks up 100 yards and a touchdown.

GOOD SNOOZERS
Eli Manning, QB, Giants: Manning also needed a week off. He returns for a key home game against the Falcons. I’m think he will turn his recent slump around and throw a few touchdowns.

Laveranues Coles, WR, Bengals: Cedric Benson is injured, so don’t be surprised if Cincinnati turns more to its passing game against Oakland. With All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha likely to draw Chad Ochocinco, Coles will see more targets and could approach 100 yards.

Vince Young, QB, Titans: This is just a hunch, but I think Young, whose confidence is growing every week, might turn in his best game yet Monday night vs. Houston. He won’t put up extreme passing yards, but might throw one or two and run for more one more.

TURKEYS
Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Grant faces a tough matchup against the 49ers, who are great against the run and bad against the pass. Green Bay can pass the ball and will do so, potentially limiting Grant’s stats. He’s a tough sit, but if you have another decent option, use it.

Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs: Cassel lost his top receiver, Dwayne Bowe, to suspension this week. Oh, he’s playing Pittsburgh on Sunday, too. Don’t start him.

Justin Forsett, RB, Seahawks: Forsett turned in some nice numbers in place of Julius Jones last week, but he won’t surprise the Vikings’ stingy defense this week.

Hopefully I’ll get the fantasy preview done next week before the Thursday game. Just don’t hold me to that …

SMART STARTS
Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: Tennessee is resurgent, thanks mostly to another big season from Johnson, who continues to score on long runs. The Titans draw visiting Buffalo and the Bills’ porous run defense. Don’t be surprised if Johnson tops 150 yards and scores two TDs.

Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals: Though Warner has proved he can bounce back after a bad game, there’s no empirical proof (at least none I have) that he can maintain for a second big game at his advanced age. But consider this: The Cardinals are coming off a big victory and play an important NFC West game at home vs. Seattle. Warner’s veteran experience will come through for 275 yards and 2-3 touchdowns.

Thomas Jones, RB, Jets: Jones will be fresh after a bye week, and will be facing Jacksonville, which can’t stop the run. Enough said.

SLEEPY, OH SO SLEEPY
Justin Fargas, RB, Raiders: I’m usually loath to start Raiders, but he’s their best offensive option with a favorable matchup against visiting Kansas City. He’s worth a shot if you got him.

Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens: Baltimore is coming off a tough loss and will be looking to rebound. No better team to rebound against than the lowly Browns, who will help Flacco provide some decent stats.

Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs: Cassel turned in respectable fantasy numbers last week and draws the Raiders this week. We’re at the point of the season where a QB2 is merely a backup, but if you are sitting Eli Manning or Matt Schaub because of a bye, Cassel is a good option.

STEER CLEAR
Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Detroit plays the Vikings, whose line no one has been able to run against this season. Smith won’t either.

Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals: Admittedly, Benson is a tough sit, but be wary of him on the road against Pittsburgh. He’s had a great comeback year, but he can’t be great every week, and my hunch is this is a week he isn’t.

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: Another tough sit, but he’s only had a few good games this season. I think Carolina will run the ball against the Falcons, setting Smith up for a game under 50 yards receiving.

I might have running backs on the brain: Seven of my nine choices below are RBs. Good luck

SMART STARTS
Matt Forte, RB, Bears: I don’t know if Forte turned a corner last week — though he scored two touchdowns, his average per carry was somewhat weak — but he has a good matchup at home against the Cardinals. He should at least sustain last week’s performance.

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Grant gets a good matchup against the Buccaneers, and after Aaron Rodgers got a little beat up against the Vikings last week, the Packers might be inclined to run the ball more. Expect Grant to top 100 yards and score a touchdown.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Backfield-mate Ahmad Bradshaw isn’t 100 percent, quarterback Eli Manning seems rattled, and the Giants host the Chargers, who let Justin Fargas have a decent game last week. If the Giants rely on Jacobs a lot, he might turn in his best game of the season.

SLEEPER ALERT
Kevin Walter, WR, Texans: Walter has fallen off the radar in recent weeks, but with tight Owen Daniels out for the season, he might find himself back in Matt Schaub’s mix.

Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: Yep, I can’t believe I calling Jones a sleeper, but Seattle is at home against the Lions and their terrible run defense. He could turn in a big week.

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: OK, this is the week you start Smith … maybe? Brett Favre is the only good fantasy QB on bye, so Smith will start in most leagues only if an owner is stuck with another second-tier quarterback as his starter. That said, Smith was solid last week against a good Colts defense, and he draws the porous pass defense of Tennessee this week.

BENCHWARMERS
Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: I have a hunch Washington will be passing most of the game just to keep up with Atlanta. Add the fact the Redskins generally stink — thus, I think Portis isn’t a good play.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: The rookie will face his biggest test against the Pittsburgh defense on Monday night. This is another game in which the underdog (Denver, in my book) will be passing to keep up, and don’t be surprised if Correll Buckhalter splits carries a little more than usual this week.

Ryan Moats, RB, Texans: Moats was a popular free-agent pickup this week after his impressive game against the Bills in relief of the bumbling Steve Slaton. Even if Slaton doesn’t return to full-time duty, surely he’ll split carries with Moats, who simply isn’t a week-to-week fantasy starter (and definitely isn’t one in Houston). Moats is maybe a low-end RB3 against the Colts, but there are other low-end RB3s more worthy of taking a chance on.

SMART STARTS
Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: Houston plays the Bills, whose run defense is poor. Somehow, the Panthers didn’t take advantage of that fact will, but the Texans will, possibly producing a 100-yard game with a TD or two for Slaton.

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: He’s the best fantasy player on the worst team in the league, and St. Louis plays another bad team in Detroit. Jackson might turn in his best game of the season, which unfortunately for the Rams, isn’t saying much.

Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys: Austin proved he’s no fluke with another two-touchdown game. Though unlikely to repeat the obscene numbers of his last two games, he should top 100 yards and perhaps score a TD against the Seahawks.

SLEEP TIGHT
Austin Collie, WR, Colts: Anthony Gonzalez isn’t quite ready to return, and Reggie Wayne isn’t 100 percent healthy. And of course, Peyton Manning is the Colts’ quarterback. Considering all this, Collie could deliver the best game of his young career.

David Garrard, QB, Jaguars: The last quarterback to play the Titans threw six touchdowns. Granted, Garrard is no Tom Brady, but he should still take advantage of Tennessee for at least 250 yards and 2-3 touchdowns.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: It’s a sign how far Tomlinson’s stock has dropped that he’s a sleeper, but let’s face facts: The Chargers are going to run all over the Raiders on Sunday. Expect Tomlinson’s best game of the season.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Donald Lee, TE, Packers: With Jermichael Finley injured, it would make sense the Lee would get more targets. But with the Packers hosting Brett Favre and the Vikings, nothing might make sense, and in what might be an emotional game, I don’t think Aaron Rodgers trusts Lee enough to integrate him heavily into the offense Sunday.

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: Smith took over the starting job in the second half last week and looked confident after years of struggling. He’s a good sleeper pickup this week, but against the Colts, he’s just not worth starting. Wait until Week 9, when the 49ers host the Titans.

Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos: Everyone keeps waiting for the Broncos to lose and Orton to turn in a bad game. I think at Baltimore might be it, especially since the Ravens will be fighting to stay above .500. Orton might not completely stink, but he won’t put up numbers worthy of starting, even as a bye-week replacement.

Almost through half of the fantasy regular season. It goes quick …

SMART STARTS
Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Green Bay faces the Browns, who rank 30th in run defense. Granted (ugh, couldn’t resist), the Packers will pass the ball too, but unless they fall asleep like the Eagles did last week against the Raiders, the offense should cruise, producing 100 yards and a touchdown for Grant.

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: The San Diego running game just isn’t getting the job done, and now LaDainian Tomlinson has the flu. The Chargers desperately need a victory against the Chiefs to stay within striking distance of the Broncos in the AFC West. Rivers should come out guns ablazing, throwing for at least three touchdowns.

Matt Schaub, QB, Texans: Houston will pass early and often against San Francisco, and Schaub has never looked better or healthier lately. Expect another big week.

OK TO DOZE
Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals: Benson has something to prove against the Bears, and even if the Bears have something to prove against Benson, their defense can only shut down one thing at a time, and I’m guessing it will be the Bengals’ passing game. That said, Benson could pile up some decent stats at home.

Eli Manning, RB, Giants: Ahmad Bradshaw is a little nicked up, Brandon Jacobs is annoyed, and the Giants are playing a great run defense (yeah, I’m surprised by that last fact, too) but a bad pass defense in Arizona. In what might be a shootout, don’t be surprised if Manning tops 300 yards and throws at least three TDs.

Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs: We’re still waiting to see if Johnson will break out sometime this season. This a good week for that to happen — at home in a game that K.C. will want to control. He’s a big risk, but if you need a bye-week RB replacement, he might be worth the risk.

NO DICE
Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints: Mike Bell was getting goal-line carries for the Saints last week instead of Thomas, and honestly, the Saints really didn’t need a rushing game. This week, they face the Dolphins’ excellent run defense and so-so pass defense. All this might translate to a below-average game for Thomas.

Any Buccaneer:The Bucs are playing the might-be-invincible-again Patriots in London. New England won’t shut down Tampa Bay like it did Tennessee, but it will keep the Bucs’ offense in check. That and the travel overseas makes Cadillac Williams and Kellen Winslow borderline starts at best, and everyone else benchable.

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: Carolina’s offense is all about the run now, with Smith possibly left by the fantasy wayside. The Bills are actually decent against the pass. Smith’s tough to sit, but proceed with caution.

SMART STARTS
Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: It hasn’t been the greatest fantasy season for Portis, but he is facing the Chiefs on Sunday and is still Washington’s best offensive choice.

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots: He’s been on the injury report every week this season (thank you, Bill Belichick) but finally seems healthy again. He scored a touchdown last week and could get another, plus approach 100 yards receiving, against the hellbound Titans.

Eagles defense: Playing the Raiders. Enough said.

NAP TIME
Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: Palmer might have elevated himself to every-week fantasy starter instead of a sleeper, but in the event you have him as Tony Romo or Peyton Manning’s backup, he has a great matchup against the Texans on Sunday.

Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers: Finley delivered the game of his career before the bye week and is becoming another viable option for Aaron Rodgers. He might not get 148 yards receiving again, but 60-70 and a TD are possible against the Lions.

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks: Hasselbeck’s health is improving, his receivers are getting open, and Seattle hosts Arizona. Put it all together, and 300 yards and three TDs are not that outrageous.

THAT’S A NEGATIVE
Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns: Lewis surprised many last week with 120 rushing yards in his first game back from injury. But he performed that well because Derek Anderson stunk at quarterback and the Bills stunk on defense. The Browns play at Pittsburgh, meaning Lewis stays on your bench.

Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: Rice’s success running the ball has been overshadowed by Willis McGahee’s touchdown barrage. At Minnesota, it’s not a good week for any Baltimore running back, so be wary of starting Rice.

Lee Evans, WR, Bills: Can Evans and Terrell Owens be the best wide receiver tandem in history to not be getting the ball? Buffalo gets the Jets this week, so expect little from either of them, maybe nothing from Evans.

Before I delve in to this week’s picks, wow, did I miss badly on some picks last week. I’m not sure how I missed Derrick Ward’s status all week before I chose him as a sleeper; Marshawn Lynch stunk, and Willis McGahee did reach the end zone. At least I got Matt Forte right …

SMART STARTS
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, QB, Seahawks: Seattle plays Jacksonville, which allowed the Titans’ passing game to look like the Chargers of the late 1970s. No matter who starts for the Seahawks at quarterback, Housh should turn in a good game.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Eli Manning might not be 100 percent, but he doesn’t have to be against the Raiders. Enter Jacobs, who might be poised for his best game of the season.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins: Miami plays the Jets, who have a great defense but wore down against the Saints’ running game in the second half last weekend. Granted, the Jets won’t be as focused on quarterback Chad Henne as they were on Drew Brees, but if the Dolphins keep pounding away, Brown will top 100 yards and score at least one touchdown.

LULLABY SLEEPERS
Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: Can Anderson put up big fantasy numbers two weeks in a row now that he’s starting again? Against the struggling Bills, he could. If this is the bye week for your starting QB, Anderson might be worth a chance.

Chris Wells, RB, Cardinals: Arizona faces the porous run defense of Houston, and Wells, after a week off, should be healthy enough to post his best game as a pro.

Terrell Owens, WR, Bills: Buffalo can’t struggle this badly all season, can they? After two subpar fantasy performances, the Bills will target Owens more against the Browns, maybe pushing him above 100 yards, seven receptions and a TD.

UM … NO
Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Detroit, with Matthew Stafford nursing an injured knee, won’t announce its starting quarterback until Sunday, but I don’t think the Lions will suddenly turn to its running game for help. Add in the fact that the Steelers are coming to town, and Smith doesn’t look like a great start.

Glen Coffee, RB, 49ers: I’m not convinced Coffee will put up Frank Gore numbers in Gore’s absence. Against Atlanta, I don’t think he’s a good start.

Any Oakland Raider: Do you even have to wonder why?

Don’t forget, this is the first week of byes …

SMART STARTS
Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Still waiting for Forte to put up his first good fantasy game of the season? He’ll do so against the Lions, though I’m wondering with Jay Cutler being more of a downfield passer if Forte will even come close to his receiving numbers of last year.

Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: Speaking of second-year running backs underperforming in 2009, Slaton has struggled this season, too. Don’t be surprised if the Texans balance their offense a tad more against the Raiders and Slaton finally tops the century mark rushing.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers. Pittsburgh’s running game is ailing, and the Steelers face a Chargers team that almost let the Raiders’ passing attack beat them in Week 1. Add in that Pittsburgh desperately needs a victory, and Big Ben will be primed for a decent outing.

SLEEPER MADNESS
Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals: I’m as surprised as the next guy that Benson is doing well in Cincinnati. The Bengals play the pathetic Browns, meaning he’ll be primed for a 100-yard rushing day.

Derrick Ward, RB, Buccaneers: I have an odd feeling that the Bucs will bust out this week against the Redskins, who allowed Kevin Smith to top 100 yards last week. Ward, the former Giant, is familiar with the Redskins and will post his best game of the season. Besides, do you really believe Josh Johnson is the answer for the Bucs at QB? Didn’t think so, so stick with Tampa Bay’s running game.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills: In his first game back from suspension, Lynch won’t get a lot of carries, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the ball near the end zone, just to get him back into the touchdown groove. It’s a risky start, but if you are little thin at RB because of this first bye week, you don’t have much to lose.

AVOID LIKE THE FLU
Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs. I think this goes without saying — he’s just not producing for the Chiefs’ offense. His grace period is over for fantasy owners hoping he’d return to his form of a few years ago.

Donnie Avery, WR, Rams: Laurent Robinson’s season is over, Marc Bulger is injured, the 49ers are tough on defense, and St. Louis generally stinks. Avery’s numbers might go up a little with Robinson sidelined, but not enough to start.

Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens: McGahee’s surprise touchdown barrage halts, at least for one week, against New England. He won’t gain enough yards to otherwise start him,

Offering no speculation on Michael Vick’s fantasy value …

SMART STARTS
Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: He’s just about a must-start anyway, but after his shaky game last week, you could theoretically be wary. Don’t: The Carolina pass defense hasn’t been that effective, and Romo will be looking to make amends and give the Cowboys their first victory in their new stadium.

Eli Manning, QB, Giants: It’s early, but Manning might be headed for a 4,000-yard season if he’s really found a groove with his young receivers. The Bucs gave up a lot off offense to Dallas and Buffalo the first two weeks, and Eli will also capitalize on a defense that’s just not that good.

Matt Forte, RB, Bears: I hope this isn’t simply wishful thinking as a Matt Forte owner, but I believe this is the week, against Seattle, he busts out of his opening slump with 150 total yards and at least a TD.

SLEEPER SELECTIONS
Broncos defense: Denver plays the Raiders, who, yes, are that bad. The Broncos’ defense has looked good in two games vs. mediocre teams; watch it do well against another mediocre team.

Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: Though Willis McGahee has been vulturing touchdowns, expect Rice to break through with perhaps a good yardage game against the Browns.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts: Will Garcon or Austin Collie emerge as the Colts’ second receiver while Anthony Gonzalez is sidelined? I’m leaning toward Garcon, and if Indy gets into a shootout with Arizona, he could turn in a career game.

RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!
Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: Seattle might be without Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks play the Bears, and, well, this is Julius Jones. Sit him.

Justin Gage, WR, Titans: Tennessee plays the Jets, who shut down Andre Johnson and Randy Moss the last two weeks. Gage is nowhere in Johnson or Moss’ league, so don’t expect much.

Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Though I think the Lions could break their losing streak against the Redskins, it will more than likely be because the Redskins don’t do enough to win, rather than something spectacular from the Detroit offense. I just don’t see Smith putting up good numbers against the Washington defense.

Sorry for missing Week 1 — I had listened to so many podcasts and read so many online columns that I didn’t feel I’d be honestly throwing out my own fantasy opinions. I’ve avoided the fantasy media this week and am ready to make some potentially brilliant/inane postulations.

SMART STARTS
Ryan Grant, RB, Packers. Green Bay hosts the Bengals, who contained the Broncos’ offense last week. But the Broncos’ offense is nothing like the Packers’, and if Cincinnati focuses on the passing game, Grant might be in line for a 100-yard day.

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. Atlanta’s offense wasn’t explosive last week, but it didn’t exactly stink, either. And though the Panthers gave up 38 points last week partly because of Jake Delhomme’s ineptness, I don’t think their defense will can stop both Ryan and Michael Turner. I’m betting Carolina will focus on Turner, possibly setting up Ryan for a 300-yard game at home.

Fred Jackson, RB, Bills. Jackson’s three-week cameo as Buffalo’s feature back continues with a home matchup against Tampa Bay. He’ll continue to thrive — expect near triple digits rushing, maybe 40-50 yards receiving, and maybe a touchdown or two.

SLEEPER POTENTIAL
Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos. Am I crazy to think Orton can’t stink two weeks in a row? He has a favorable matchup, at home against Cleveland; his finger is improving; and he got that first victory out of the way. That’s less pressure, which might translate to at least 275 yards passing and a couple TDs.

Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers. LaDainian Tomlinson is sidelined with an injured ankle, giving Sproles an opportunity to shine against Baltimore. Yes, he’s facing the Ravens, but I think he still will come away with decent numbers in place of LT.

Matt Schaub, QB, Texans. Houston’s offense struggled mightily last week, but I believe it was a one-week blip. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger delivered 363 yards passing against the Titans, and if they try stopping the Texan run game, Schaub could at least top 300.

BUST CITY
Jay Cutler, QB, Bears. Cutler isn’t going to stink this season as bad as he did in Week 1. But he could very well stink in Week 2 against the Steelers. Sit him if you can, and wait for him to improve (maybe in Week 3 at Seattle).

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers. If Jake Delhomme’s season is really descending into heck, can Smith be far behind? Smith is a tough sit, but at the very least, be wary of starting him this week.

Eagles wide receivers. Donovan McNabb is likely not playing after cracking a rib, leaving Kevin Kolb as the Philly starter. In this situation, who will be the Eagles’ go-to guy? You guessed it: Brian Westbrook, meaning DeSean Jackson and Kevin Curtis might be lucky to hit 100 yards between them.