QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
He’s coming off of a bad performance in Week 2 — but don’t let that get you down. He was going against a very good New York Jets defense and once he regains confidence in his knee, he should return to fantasy greatness.

RB Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Even though Matt Forte has started 2009 with a dud, don’t lose hope. His Week 2 stinker came against he stout Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Expect him to bounce back in a big way in the next two weeks.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
Anquan Boldin has been slowed to start the season due to injury. But in Week 2, he showed that he’s on the right track. Over the course of the year, expect Boldin to regain his standing as a top fantasy receiver.

TE Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears
Don’t give up on Greg Olsen yet. Jay Cutler is getting more and more comfortable and once he’s totally comfortable, expect Olsen to be a big part of the passing attack.

Tom Brady - New England Patriots (Image: Zuma Press)

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When considering Warner’s 2009 fantasy football outlook, the first major obstacle is obviously whether or not Warner is even coming back to the NFL next season. After the Super Bowl, he was non-committal either way. Since the Super Bowl, Warner has said that his return could be dependent upon whether or not Anquan Boldin stays or not.

If Warner does return, the next thing to worry about is his age. Warner will be 38 years old by the time next season begins. While other quarterbacks have had success at that age, Warner’s would definitely be an injury concern. Plus if he loses any velocity on his throwing, he could begin struggling — much like Brett Favre in 2008.

All that said, if Warner returns in 2009, he’s going to be a very interesting fantasy football quarterback who could build upon his 2008 success. In the playoffs, he played much better than he did to end the regular season. Next season, a healthy Warner definitely has a chance to throw between 35 and 38 touchdowns.

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Even though Boldin and the Cardinals are about to play in the Super Bowl, Boldin hasn’t been a happy camper as of late. After the Cardinals advanced to the Super Bowl, instead of celebrating with his teammates, Boldin slipped out the back door because he was angry about not playing enough. Throughout the season, Boldin has expressed displeasure regarding his current contract.

Why would the Giants be interested? Two words: Plaxico Burress. In the season after winning the Super Bowl, Burress was a Super Distraction. When he wasn’t getting suspended for missing meetings, he was literally shooting himself in the leg. Although the Giants haven’t made any firm decision regarding his future, there is a lot of talk around New York that the Giants will cut ties with Burress.

If the Giants were to replace Burress with Boldin, it would definitely shake things up. While both players are very good wide receivers, Boldin is more of a possession receiver while Burress is more of a big play receiver. In the same offense, Boldin would likely get more reception and more yards, while Burress would get more touchdowns.

For Eli Manning, his fantasy value may rise if the Giants replace Burress with Boldin. Boldin is more consistent and would give Manning a dependable receiving option in each game.

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2) Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
White has great matchup against Cardinals.

3) Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
Boldin is going to fight through injury to play.

4) Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Should rack up plenty of yards this weekend.

5) Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens
Ol’ veteran still making big plays.

6) Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers
Jackson has been hot in recent weeks.

7) Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings
Big play threat could spark Vikings.

8) DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
Young gun is best receiving threat for Eagles.

9) Ted Ginn Jr., Miami Dolphins
Risky but could payoff with big reward.

10) Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Sleeper who could beat the Vikings deep.

Photo credit: Newscom

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RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
In four out of his last five games, Adrian Peterson has at least one touchdown. That bodes well for his Week 13 game against the Chicago Bears. While the Bears have a solid defense, it isn’t as good as it has been in years past. Peterson will be able to run for at least 80 yards and a touchdown.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
There isn’t a hotter fantasy football wide receiver than Anquan Boldin. He’s been a monster when healthy this season. Although he missed a few games due to facial fractures, he hasn’t lost a beat since coming back. Expect at least eight catches, for 95 yards and a touchdown this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
With a very nice matchup this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, Antonio Gates is a must start. Gates should get a touchdown this week as the young Falcons aren’t quite equipped to shut down this pass catching tight end. In fantasy football, there isn’t a better tight end start in Week 13 than Gates.

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QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is listed officially as questionable and is being called a game-time decision. That said, it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll play.

RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook was unable to play last week due to an ankle injury. This week he has practiced and very well could play.

RB Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens
McGahee is questionable and will be a gametime decision. Look elsewhere for a safe start.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
Boldin is out for Week 5 after undergoing face surgery.

WR Brandon Lloyd, Chicago Bears
Due to a hip injury, Brandon Lloyd will be out in Week 5.

WR David Patten, New Orleans Saints
Patten has been ruled out for Week 5.

WR Deion Branch and Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Although neither wide receiver has played this season, both are expected to play in Week 5.

WR Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans
Gage is listed as doubtful and is expected to miss Week 5 of the fantasy football season.

WR Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Burress will not play in Week 5 due to suspension.

TE LJ Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Although listed as questionable, the latest indications are that Smith should be able to play.

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RB Mewelde Moore, Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker is hurt and Rashard Mendenhall is now also hurt and out for the season. That leaves the running back job in Pittsburgh to Mewelde Moore. He may be startable until Parker returns.

WR Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals
With Anquan Boldin getting injured in Week 4, Steve Breaston will likely move into a starting gig for as long as Boldin is out. In the high-powered Cardinals offense, that is a very good thing.

WR Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints
Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey are injured and David Patten isn’t 100%. Lance Moore has now emerged as one of the players who Drew Brees will feature in New Orleans.

TE Dustin Keller, New York Jets
For the second consecutive week, Dustin Keller scored a touchdown. Even though he’s headed into a bye week, Keller is a tight end to keep an eye on.

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RB Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
Early in Oakland’s game, starting running back Just Fargas went down with what appeared to be a groin injury. Darren McFadden stepped in and showed his vast potential on his way to 164 yards and a touchdown.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
After a quiet Week 1 game, Anquan Boldin exploded in Week 2. Kurt Warner looked for him early and often and Boldin finished with 140 yards receiving and three receiving touchdowns.

TE Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos
Tony Scheffler was the recipient of two of Cutler’s four touchdown passes. He also had six catches for 64 yards to go along with the touchdowns.

K Ryan Longwell, Minnesota Vikings
In Week 2, Ryan Longwell went 5-for-6 on field goal attempts including one from 50+ yards. For those savvy fantasy owners who started him, pat yourself on the back.

D Green Bay Packers
Against the Detroit Lions, Green Bay put on a defensive show. All told, the Packers finished with five sacks, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

Is Darren McFadden ready for fantasy football stardom?

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1. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
2. TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots
4. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
5. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
7. Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams
8. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
9. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
10. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
11. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
12. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants

Will Steve Smith drop further due to his suspension?

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Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
While the major news regarding Steve Smith is his two-game suspension for punching a teammate, Smith now has some injury woes to deal with. Smith suffered a concussion in a preseason game that could sideline him for a bit. The good news is that he should be ready for when his suspension is lifted by the Panthers.

Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns
Braylon Edwards was involved in a freak injury during a Browns practice. Running in socks, Edwards was racing against newly acquired wide receiver Donte Stallworth. After the race, Edwards slowed down and Stallworth stepped on the back of his foot with spiked cleats. The accident forced Edwards to the hospital. However, he should be ready to go in plenty of time before the regular season.

Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
For the last few weeks, Anquan Boldin has struggled with a hamstring injury. The good news is that the Cardinals wide receiver is now ready to return to practice. He is also saying that he will play in Arizona’s next preseason game. That said, keep an eye on Boldin because hamstring injuries can linger for an entire season.

Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
The same ankle that bothered Plaxico Burress last season is bothering him again. He is sitting out practices and will likely be very questionable to play in any preseason game. Burress and the Giants want him as healthy as possible heading into the regular season.

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