The final week of the NFL season is upon us, and while most fantasy leagues were decided last week, there are still some of you out there who play in rotisserie leagues or run your playoffs to the end of the regular season that get to enjoy one more week of fantasy plotting.

Week 17 however, is a totally different animal than any other week of the season. Not only do you have to deal with all your regular analysis of match-ups and injuries, but now you have to deal with players being rested by playoff teams that have clinched. As the week goes by you will get more news as to your likely candidates for a week off are, but not having a stud that brought you this far because his team decides to rest its star players is a huge blow when trying to win out your league.

My advice to you is simple, continue how you normally prepare for your week, but pay special attention to the coaches of teams that don’t have much to play for. Teams like the Colts, Steelers and Titans are locked in and really don’t have much of a reason to play their stars too much, if at all. If they do play you surely aren’t going to see full games from them, so is it worth the risk if you have a player like DeSean Jackson sitting on your bench and you normally start Reggie Wayne? I say no way.

Arizona continues to worry me, as this team has lost every bit of offensive momentum they had last week when they were dismantled by the Patriots in New England. Coach Whisenhunt has already come out and said that they won’t be resting their starters this week. But they get Seattle, a team which has been awful against the pass. What if the Cardinals throw up a quick 21 points in the first quarter? I would bet my bottom dollar Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald will have an early day. Kurt Warner probably plays a half at most, and you get a steady dose of Matt Leinart and J.J Arrington in the second half. You can’t predict what a coach will do with a lead; do you want to take that chance if you have another reliable alternative?

Now let’s take a look at this week’s rankings.

Quarterback

1. Philip Rivers SD
2. Jay Cutler DEN
3. Drew Brees NO
4. Aaron Rodgers GB
5. Matt Cassel NE
6. Tyler Thigpen KC
7. Kurt Warner ARI
8. Tony Romo DAL
9. Chad Pennington MIA
10. Donovan McNabb PHI
11. Jake Delhomme CAR
12. Matt Schaub HOU
13. Jeff Garcia TB
14. Matt Ryan ATL
15. Shaun Hill SF
16. Jason Campbell WAS
17. Joe Flacco BAL
18. Eli Manning NYG
19. Brett Favre NYJ
20. Seneca Wallace SEA
21. Ben Roethlisberger PIT
22. Tavaris Jackson MIN
23. Trent Edwards BUF
24. Kyle Orton CHI
25. Vince Young TEN

- If you don’t think the San Diego Chargers don’t have revenge on their minds as an extra incentive this week against the Bronco’s you are crazy. Philip Rivers remembers, and the leagues leader in touchdown passes had a monster game last time out against Denver throwing for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Bronco’s defense still stinks, so it is safe to say that Rivers is primed for another fine outing at home in an attempt at winning the AFC West. Denver will have to throw all game to keep up, so both quarterbacks are excellent plays in a game that should be awfully entertaining to watch in prime time Sunday night.
- The Saints are eliminated from playoff contention, so the only thing they will be looking to accomplish this week against Carolina is to help Drew Brees break Dan Marino’s single season passing yardage record. He needs 402 yards to break the record, so expect the Saints to come out throwing. Brees has thrown for over 400 yards twice this season, so it’s not unreasonable to think he can hit this number, but Carolina is still playing for a 1st round bye, and held him to 231 yards passing in week 7. Regardless he should put up some solid numbers due to this record being in reach.
- I know the Packers have now lost 5 straight games, but it’s hard to push too much blame in Aaron Rodgers direction. He is on pace to throw for 4,000 yards in his first year as a starter and should eclipse 30 total touchdowns minus an abysmal effort against lowly Detroit. From a fantasy standpoint only Drew Brees has amassed more points, so he has become a darling in fantasy circles. He can score with his legs which gives that extra dimension that makes him even more dangerous in the red-zone. After facing the Lions this week, expect another effort similar to his week two performance.
- The Bengals give up an average of 13 points a game to fantasy quarterbacks, which also happens to be the average their opponent this week scores. Tyler Thigpen threw for over 300 yards for the first time in his career last week against Miami and has been a waiver wire gem for owners who needed help at quarterback. He has started nine games for the Chiefs, and totaled 17 touchdowns in those contests. He is another quarterback who can run, so his ability to keep a defense honest is what helps him be successful week in and week out. Thigpen should lead the Chiefs to their third victory this week against Cincinnati.

Running Back

1. Michael Turner ATL
2. LaDainian Tomlinson SD
3. DeAngelo Williams CAR
4. Matt Forte CHI
5. Ryan Grant GB
6. Adrian Peterson MIN
7. Brian Westbrook PHI
8. Thomas Jones NYJ
9. Steven Jackson STL
10. Kevin Smith DET
11. Pierre Thomas NO
12. Steve Slaton HOU
13. Sammy Morris NE
14. Cedric Benson CIN
15. Larry Johnson KC
16. Clinton Portis WAS
17. Frank Gore SF
18. LeRon McClain BAL
19. Mewelde Moore PIT
20. Tatum Bell DEN
21. Marion Barber DAL
22. Ronnie Brown MIA
23. Fred Jackson BUF
24. Warrick Dunn TB
25. Dominick Rhodes IND
26. Maurice Morris SEA
27. Derrick Ward NYG
28. Chris Johnson TEN
29. Maurice Jones-Drew JAC
30. Ricky Williams MIA
31. Willis McGahee BAL
32. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG
33. Justin Fargas OAK
34. Jonathan Stewart CAR
35. Jamal Lewis CLE
36. LenDale White TEN
37. Tashard Choice DAL
38. Leon Washington NYJ
39. Cadillac Williams TB
40. Lamont Jordan NE
41. Darren McFadden OAK
42. Jerious Norwood ATL
43. Edgerrin James ARI
44. Brandon Jacobs NYG
45. Ladell Betts WAS
46. Chester Taylor MIN
47. Darren Sproles SD
48. Correll Buckhalter PHI
49. DeShaun Foster SF
50. Jamaal Charles KC
51. Deuce McCallister NO
52. Ahmard Hall TEN
53. Cory Boyd DEN
54. Ray Rice BAL
55. Deshawn Wynn GB
56. J.J. Arrington ARI
57. Gary Russell PIT
58. Montell Owens JAC
59. Kenneth Darby STL
60. Patrick Cobbs MIA

- Everyone and their mother have been talking about the season DeAngelo Williams is having, and I may as well jump on the bandwagon. After his huge prime-time performance against the Giants, there isn’t a football fan on the planet that doesn’t think he is the best thing since sliced bread. There are three things that stick out to me when I look at his season as a whole. First before last weeks 24 carry effort, he only had two other games where he had over twenty. Second he is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, best in the league among any back with over 200 carries and last being the guy hasn’t fumbled in 249 carries. Fantasy gold, he isn’t overworked, he has a nose for the goal line and doesn’t make mistakes. The Panthers will look to control the clock against New Orleans, so another fine game from Williams is on deck.
- Last year’s leading fantasy running back has been an afterthought among owners due to his rather pedestrian numbers this season. LaDainian Tomlinson get’s one last chance to make a strong impression on fantasy owners in prime time against a Bronco’s defense that has more holes in it then Swiss cheese. He has battled injuries for a good portion of the season, but showed his toughness by not missing a game. But not taking time off cost LT his burst, and he has only broken 100 yards twice in 15 games. In a game that means everything to the Chargers, look for Tomlinson to dig deep in gut-check time and post a great game against Denver at home.
- Barring some type of monumental collapse, Adrian Peterson is going to take this season’s rushing crown. But with all those yards, he has only reached the end zone 9 times on the season. A number which to me is a little troubling considering no other back in the league has more carries of 20+ yards. I think a big part of his problem is his fumbling, his biggest fault. He leads the league in that department as well with 8. When he cures his woes handling the rock, he will get back to scoring touchdowns. He hasn’t scored in three straight contests, which is the longest drought of his brief career. Don’t count on him going a fourth game without one.
- The Rams stink, and we all know this, but Steven Jackson is a great player. He has missed 4 games this season, but with 120 yards against Atlanta, he will break 1,000 yards for the 4th time in his career. Over the past two seasons injuries have become a concern, but that may be more of a product of St. Louis’s horrible offensive line then Jackson himself. Out of all of the underperforming high draft picks this season, he has the best chance of returning to form next season if the Rams can bring in a few decent linemen. Atlanta gives up 120 yards a game rushing, so Jackson should have a good chance at reaching his goal.

Wide Receiver

1. Brandon Marshall DEN
2. Steve Smith CAR
3. Larry Fitzgerald ARI
4. Greg Jennings GB
5. Roddy White ATL
6. Vincent Jackson SD
7. Marques Colston NO
8. Andre Johnson HOU
9. Calvin Johnson DET
10. Randy Moss NE
11. Hines Ward PIT
12. Anquan Boldin ARI
13. Jerricho Cotchery NYJ
14. T.J. Houshmandzadeh CIN
15. Wes Welker NE
16. DeSean Jackson PHI
17. Eddie Royal DEN
18. Lance Moore NO
19. Dwayne Bowe KC
20. Donald Driver GB
21. Terrell Owens DAL
22. Santana Moss WAS
23. Lee Evans BUF
24. Steve Breaston ARI
25. Davone Bess MIA
26. Antonio Bryant TB
27. Bobby Engram SEA
28. Bernard Berrian MIN
29. Torry Holt STL
30. Dennis Northcutt JAC
31. Isaac Bruce SF
32. Domenik Hixon NYG
33. Kevin Walter HOU
34. Reggie Wayne IND
35. Laveraneus Coles NYJ
36. Anthony Gonzalez IND
37. Derrick Mason BAL
38. Muhsin Muhammad CAR
39. Amani Toomer NYG
40. Chaz Schilens OAK
41. Santonio Holmes PIT
42. Josh Reed BUF
43. Ted Ginn Jr. MIA
44. Devin Hester CHI
45. Bryant Johnson SF
46. Braylon Edwards CLE
47. Ike Hilliard TB
48. Steve Smith NYG
49. Brandon Lloyd CHI
50. Chad Johnson CIN
51. Patrick Crayton DAL
52. Justin Gage TEN
53. Bobby Wade MIN
54. Josh Morgan SF
55. Chris Chambers SD
56. Roy Williams DAL
57. Mark Clayton BAL
58. Mark Bradley KC
59. Devery Henderson NO
60. Chris Henry CIN

- Brandon Marshall came off his one game suspension to start the year and announced his arrival in week 2 against San Diego to the tune of 18 receptions for 166 yards. If there is one thing that hasn’t changed since that time it’s that San Diego still has plenty of problems with pass defense. Without a viable running game, Jay Cutler and the Bronco’s are going to have to throw to win. It would not surprise me to see over 50 pass attempts this week. All that means fantasy goodness for Marshall, who has averaged over 100 yards a game in his last three against the Chargers.
- Pittsburgh has locked in the second seed, but Hines Ward has already voiced his desire to play this week against Cleveland. He says it is because he feels a game off can throw off his rhythm, I say it is because he is just 27 yards shy of 1000 yards and his best season since 2004. Ward has been his ever consistent self and remains the number one option in Pittsburgh despite the presence of Santonio Holmes. I expect the Steelers to come out throwing early so Ward gets his yardage and gets to sit the second half.
- There is no bigger motivating factor for a professional athlete than failure, and DeSean Jackson learned what failure was last week in a big time spot against the Redskins. Jackson dropped a few big passes that would have changed the outcome of the game in favor of the Eagles last week. The rookie should come out with a chip on his shoulder against Dallas at home. In their last meeting Jackson tore them up for 110 yards, and should be able to get behind the Cowboys secondary for a long score this week.
- Antonio Bryant has been lights out over the last three weeks and undoubtedly won more than his fare share of fantasy owners’ championship glory. This week however I think he is about to crash back to earth. Yes Tampa Bay faces Oakland, but don’t let the record fool you, Oakland has a top-flight lock down corner in Nnamdi Asomugha. If I have learned one thing this season, it is that this guy locks down whoever he covers. Andre Johnson got him last week and was held to 2 catches for 19 yards. Bryant will catch a few this week, but if he gets more than 60 yards receiving I would be floored.

Tight End

1. Antonio Gates SD
2. Jason Witten DAL
3. Tony Gonzalez KC
4. Tony Scheffler DEN
5. Greg Olsen CHI
6. Owen Daniels HOU
7. Zach Miller OAK
8. John Carlson SEA
9. Dustin Keller NYJ
10. Chris Cooley WAS
11. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN
12. Billy Miller NO
13. Kevin Boss NYG
14. L.J Smith PHI
15. David Martin MIA
16. Todd Heap BAL
17. Jerramy Stevens TB
18. Vernon Davis SF
19. Anthony Fasano MIA
20. Donald Lee GB
21. Dallas Clark IND
22. Marcades Lewis JAC
23. Desmond Clark CHI
24. Bo Scaife TEN
25. Robert Royal BUF

- If there is one thing we know this season, it is that San Diego can’t cover tight ends. Tony Scheffler has two touchdowns this season, and the Chargers gave up both in week 2. Scheffler has been inconsistent this season, partly due to injuries, and also due to poor blocking keeping him off the field. He does however make plays, and should perform very well this week.
- This just in, showing your junk off on TV makes you a better tight end! Visanthe Shiancoe’s huge game last week may or may not have been due to his manhood being received well by the ladies or not, but the guy is currently ranked 5th in tight end scoring. Tavaris Jackson looked his way all day last Sunday, a streak that should continue this week while he is running for his life against a very tough Giants pass rush.
- With Jeremy Shockey suffering from a “classic” ankle sprain and questionable for this week’s tilt against Carolina, Billy Miller is looking like a strong bet for some solid production if Shockey is indeed out. Miller only has one touchdown on the season, but has hauled in 42 receptions on the season, which shows Brees has no problem looking in his direction. He may not be good for a touchdown, but if you are looking for an honest 5-7 point effort from a very thin position, he is your guy this week.

Defense/Special Teams

1. Baltimore
2. Pittsburgh
3. Tampa Bay
4. Minnesota
5. Tennessee
6. Philadelphia
7. Atlanta
8. New York Jets
9. Miami
10. Green Bay
11. Carolina
12. New York Giants
13. San Francisco
14. New England
15. Dallas
16. Washington
17. Chicago
18. Houston
19. Jacksonville
20. San Diego
21. Oakland
22. Cleveland
23. Indianapolis
24. New Orleans
25. Arizona
26. Seattle
27. Kansas City
28. Buffalo
29. Cincinnati
30. Denver
31. St. Louis
32. Detroit
 

Kicker

1. Steven Gostkowski NE
2. Nate Kaeding SD
3. Jay Feely NYJ
4. Matt Bryant TB
5. David Akers PHI
6. John Carney NYG
7. John Kasay CAR
8. Robbie Gould CHI
9. Nick Folk DAL
10. Joe Nedney SF
11. Ryan Longwell MIN
12. Dan Carpenter MIA
13. Rob Bironas TEN
14. Jason Elam ATL
15. Phil Dawson CLE
16. Jason Hanson DET
17. Mason Crosby GB
18. Matt Stover BAL
19. Matt Prater DEN
20. Kris Brown HOU