If you are going to be playing playoff fantasy football, you obviously should be well aware of the NFL playoff picture. Here’s the NFL playoff schedule for the first week of the playoffs so you can start to figure out which fantasy players you want to get on your team in playoff fantasy football.

Saturday, January 3rd - 4:30 PM Eastern
Atlanta Falcons at the Arizona Cardinals

Saturday, January 3rd - 8:00 PM Eastern
Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers

Sunday, January 4th - 1:00 PM Eastern
Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins

Sunday, January 4th - 4:30 PM Eastern
Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings

Bye Week: Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers

Photo credit: Newscom

QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
In Week 14 of the 2008 fantasy football season, Gus Frerotte is going up against the Detroit Lions. That alone is enough to make him a sleeper. However, Frerotte is actually playing better than most realize. Last week he had two touchdowns and in the last six weeks, he has a total of ten touchdowns. Start him in Week 14 with confidence.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints
With Deuce McAllister suspended and Reggie Bush still slowed by injury, Pierre Thomas is a very important member of the Saints backfield right now. He’s the goal line back and should see around 15 touches in Week 14. If you need to pick up an emergency starter at running back, check to see if Thomas is available in your fantasy league.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
If Mark Bradley plays this week, consider him a definite sleeper for Week 14. Although he’s banged up and might miss the game against the Denver Broncos, he’ll be a weapon if he actually plays. The Chiefs have been able to move the ball and the Broncos have not been able to stop the ball. That’d be a good combination for Bradley.

TE Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Todd Heap had a horribly slow start to the 2008 fantasy football season but as of late he’s really started to pick it up. He has three touchdowns in his four games and while the Washington Redskins are a tough matchup, the Ravens will likely have to throw the ball more and that is good news for Heap.

QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
That injured pinkie is now a thing of the past. Tony Romo is playing very well once again and he’s taking advantage of his powerful receiving options including Terrell Owens, Jason Witten and the newly acquired Roy Williams. Expect Romo to be a top five fantasy quarterback from here on out.

RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
Earlier in the season, DeAngelo Williams was almost worthless due to his running back by committee situation. But he’s now thriving with the Panthers and had four touchdowns this weekend. He has to be considered a top ten fantasy running back at the moment.

WR Mark Clayton, Baltimore Ravens
Mark Clayton was all over the field for the Ravens on Sunday. Not only did he having a receiving touchdowns and plenty of receiving yards, he also threw a touchdown pass of his own. While he’s not a great start on a weekly basis, he could be worth the gamble in upcoming weeks after seeing what he’s capable of doing.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Although he didn’t have a touchdown, Tony Gonzalez continues to prove he’s a fantasy football powerhouse right now. He’s undoubtedly the best fantasy tight end and should head into the 2009 fantasy football season as a top three tight end — even though he’s no longer a spring chicken.

QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have actually turned it around offensively and that has allowed them to win their last three games. In that span, the Ravens are averaging 31 points per game. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco deserves a lot of credit and with two touchdowns in each of his last two games, he’s a good bet to be productive in his Week 10 matchup against the Houston Texans.

RB Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers
With the Chargers hosting the Kansas City Chiefs this week, it’s a great time to gamble on a big game from Darren Sproles. The Chiefs have a horrible run defense and they very likely could get blown out this week. If Sproles gets at least eight touches this week, there’s a chance he could put up a solid fantasy football line.

WR Koren Robinson, Seattle Seahawks
In recent weeks, Koren Robinson has quietly become the most productive wide receiver on the Seahawks. Last week, he had a 90-yard reception for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. This week against the Miami Dolphins, Robinson should be able to get four or five catches and his speed gives him the capability of breaking a long one.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
Kevin Boss hasn’t been as productive as many fantasy football owners thought he’d be during the 2008 season, but he’s been more productive lately. In his last two weeks, he has a touchdown in each game and a total of seven receptions. With Eli Manning looking for him more, there’s a chance he can get another touchdown this weekend in Week 10.

QB Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
As we expected, Kurt Warner was the best fantasy quarterback in the NFL in Week 9. Playing against his former team the St. Louis Rams, Warner had 342 passing yards to go along with two touchdown passes. The only thing keeping Warner from being mentioned as the best fantasy football quarterback is the injury concerns that surround him.

RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Chris Johnson is quickly becoming one of the most feared running backs in all of the NFL. In Week 9, Johnson helped lead the Titans to victory with 89 rushing yards, 72 receiving yards and a touchdown. Although LenDale White steals some of his touchdowns, Johnson has become a must start each and every fantasy football week.

WR Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens
Coming off of a week where he only had three yards, many fantasy football owners were scared away from starting Derrick Mason in Week 9. Too bad for those owners because Mason was a fantasy football superstar in this game against the Cleveland Browns. He finished the contest with nine catches, 136 yards and a touchdown reception in the Ravens victory.

TE Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
A couple weeks ago, we said Owen Daniels was one of the most underrated fantasy football players in the NFL. We also said Daniels would be the best tight end this week. After his 11 catch, 133 yard performance in Week 9, Owens is no longer a secret in the world of fantasy football.

QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
After sitting out last week, Carson Palmer is listed as questionable for Week 5. However, the good news for fantasy football owners is that Palmer is expected to play in Week 5 despite his elbow injury.

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.

10) Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are undefeated and they have a formidable combination of a great defense and great depth at running back.

9) Carolina Panthers
With Steve Smith back in action, the Panthers should make a legitimate push for the playoffs and could be a sleeper Super Bowl pick.

Buffalo Bills
At 3-0 it is hard to ignore the Bills. However, they still have a lot more to prove before people believe they are ready for the playoffs.

7) Green Bay Packers
Without Brett Favre, the Packers are still very good. They lost against the Cowboys this week but they should bounce back.

6) Pittsburgh Steelers
A loss against the Eagles doesn’t hurt the Steelers’ rank too much. They remain very good defensively and explosive offensively.

5) Denver Broncos
Speaking of explosive offenses, is there a more unexpectedly explosive passing attack than the one found in Denver?

4) Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are playing very solid football in 2008. Their defense is deceptively fantastic and their offense is more than capable.

3) Tennessee Titans
The Titans have perhaps the most deadly defensive attack in the NFL. Their offense can be ugly but their duo at running back (Chris Johnson and LenDale White) is impressive.

2) Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are at 3-0 and appear to be the best team in the NFL at the moment. On both sides of the field, the Cowboys have a huge amount of talent.

1) New York Giants
The Giants are coming off of their 2007 Super Bowl championship and have started the season with three straight wins — which is good enough for the number one spot in the power rankings.

Fantasy Quarterbacks

Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Word out of New England is that Tom Brady has suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. If true, this is obviously devastating news to both the Patriots and fantasy owners.

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
A few reports are saying that Vince Young has torn his MCL in his knee. If true, the knee injury will sideline Young for around a month.

Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs
After suffering a shoulder injury, Brodie Croyle left the game for the Chiefs. Early indications point to him missing at least a few weeks.

Fantasy Running Backs

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
Joseph Addai missed fourth quarter action after suffering a head injury. Early reports indicate it might be a concussion.

Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
In the fourth quarter, Marion Barber didn’t play much due to bruised ribs. Head coach Wade Phillips indicated that the injury may be a concern heading into Week 2.

Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
Maurice Morris left the Seahawks game in the third quarter due to an unspecified knee injury. Check back later in the week for more details.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
After the game, LaDainian Tomlinson said that he hurt a toe on the final drive of the game. Initial reports indicate that the injury is minor.

Fantasy Wide Receivers

Drew Bennett, St. Louis Rams
After making a diving catch in the first quarter, Drew Bennett was forced to leave the game with a knee injury. He was eventually carted to the locker room.

Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks
Nate Burleson left the Seahawks game in the third quarter after injuring his knee. While the injury looked serious, Burleson said he’ll play next week.

Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
During warmups, Donte Stallworth hurt his groin. The injury forced Stallworth to miss the entire game against the Cowboys.

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A vital part of fantasy football is knowing who is injured so you can adjust your lineup accordingly. Here is the Week 1 injury report for fantasy football 2008.

Out - These players won’t play in Week 1.
Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos

Doubt - These players likely won’t play in Week 1.
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots

Questionable - These players are 50/50 to play in Week 1.
Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Bucanners
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders

Probable - These players will likely play in Week 1.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
DJ Hackett - Carolina, Panthers
Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens

This season, a number of rookie running backs have become fantasy football sleepers. If you can get these players on your fantasy team without using a high draft pick, you could be sitting pretty if sleepers pan out.

Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
All indications point to Kevin Smith starting for the Lions at running back. Smith doesn’t have much competition — considering that Tatum Bell is his backup. He could be a big factor if he can stay healthy.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Like Smith, Forte is also expected to be the starter. While Forte is arguably the more talented player, his situation doesn’t look as promising. He’s on a team with a bad offense and has more talent behind him at running back, including Kevin Jones and the other Adrian Peterson.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are starting Willis McGahee at running back. However, many team insiders claim Ray Rice has looked better so far this season. If McGahee struggled, expect Rice to get plenty of time.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
Although he has to share time with DeAngelo Williams, expect Jonathan Stewart to have a solid year. Williams is a finesse back, which should allow Stewart to get goal line carries.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers
Although he was picked in the first round, Mendenhall has his work cut out for him in terms of getting carries this season. Willie Parker is the starter and has a successful history with the Steelers. Mendenhall also had trouble with fumbles in the preseason.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals
With Edgerrin James likely slowing down in Arizona, Tim Hightower is a player who could be asked to add juice to an otherwise tepid ground game. Expect the Cardinals to give James more rest this season and give Hightower a chance to prove himself.

Here is a highlight reel video of Tim Hightower in action:

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