1. New Orleans Saints
With Matt Ryan unlikely to play, the New Orleans Saints should be feasting. Their defenses is built to produce in the fantasy world.

2. Baltimore Ravens
At home against the Lions? That’s music to a fantasy owner’s ears. The Ravens should put up points by the ton this week.

3. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are hosting the Rams and their improved defense will be on full display. The Rams are horrible when healthy. With Bulger injured? They are putrid.

4. New England Patriots
The Panthers have a good rushing attack but they are disaster in the passing game. The Patriots will likely take advantage of that.

5. New York Jets
Josh Freeman looks like he’s going to be a good QB down the line but a rookie against an aggressive defense like the Jets is a recipe for disaster.

Ray Lewis should have a busy week (Image: Zuma Press)

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QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
On Monday Night Football, Tom Brady goes against a Buffalo Bills team that seems to have horrible chemistry.

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
As Brett Favre loosens up his aging body, expect the Vikings to give the rock to Adrian Peterson early and often.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
The last we saw Larry Fitzgerald he was setting all-time NFL playoff records. In Week 1 against the 49ers, he should stay hot.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Going up against the Raiders, Antonio Gates should get plenty of opportunities to start his 2009 fantasy football season out on the right foot.

K Kris Brown, Houston Texans
The Jets are a tough defense but the Texans should have a very potent offense. The rest of these two teams meeting could be a lot of field goals.

D Baltimore Ravens
The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of offensive issues. Starting out on the road in Baltimore is great news for the Ravens D.

Ray Lewis and the Ravens should be smiling on Sunday (Image: Zuma Press)

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1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers won a Super Bowl last year thanks to their great defensive unit. In 2009 fantasy football, their defense should be dominant once again.

2. New York Giants
With a defense that can get to the quarterback and plays with impressive physicality, the Giants make things happen on the defensive end on a weekly basis.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Last year, it turned out that the Vikings defense was overrated. This year, they may be underrated. Draft the Vikings D with confidence.

4. Baltimore Ravens
It’s never safe to count out the Ravens on the defensive side of the field. They are talented and mean — a good combination to have on your side.

5. Tennessee Titans
The Titans loss of Albert Haynesworth is huge but Tennessee should be able to survive and thrive. You can count on the coaching to be top notch.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

8) 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.

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