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

D Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the best defensive team in the NFL and their defensive ways have translated well over to fantasy football. The Steelers have been extremely effective in the last few weeks and are a safe start every game.

D Indianapolis Colts
With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Indianapolis Colts are playing very good defense. Their only sub par defensive game came against the Detroit Lions — surprisingly enough. Overall, the Colts are showing Super Bowl level defense.

D Minnesota Vikings
Even though the Vikings aren’t healthy and also have to worry about some suspensions on the defensive side of the ball, they are still producing very well in fantasy football. While they haven’t quite lived up to their preseason hype, they are still a top tier fantasy defense.

D Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Using a good blend of veterans and youth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best defensive units in the NFL. They’ve been a bit erratic in terms of fantasy football production, but when they are playing well they are one of the best defenses to own.

QB Matt Cassel, New England Patriots
Matt Cassel has looked so good at times this year for the Patriots that some fans are even considering the possibility of trading Tom Brady. While that talk is obviously crazy, Cassel was good again in Week 15. He finished the game against the Oakland Raiders with 218 yards and four touchdown passes.

RB Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were without Joseph Addai in Week 15. No worrise, Dominic Rhodes was more than able to pick up the slack against the Detroit Lions. Rhodes finished Week 15 with two touchdowns to go along with 116 yards.

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
Andre Johnson had a huge game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. In the first half alone he had 150 yards receiving and a touchdown. In the second half he added more than 50 yards to finish the game with 207 yards receiving and a TD.

TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
If you had Dallas Clark on your Week 15 fantasy team, you are very happy. Clark had a monster game — finishing with 12 catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. Both the catches and the yardage are easily season-highs for Clark.

QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Although Peyton Manning hasn’t had the best of seasons, he has a very easy matchup in Week 12. Going against the San Diego Chargers, who have statistically the worst pass defense in the NFL, Manning should have a big day. Look for the Colts to pass early and often — as this game has the possiblity of being a shootout.

RB Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
With Tony Romo back at quarterback, running room will open up for Marion Barber. While Romo was out, Barber struggled — which wasn’t too surprising. Against the San Francisco 49ers, look for the Cowboys to try to establish the run early. If Dallas can get a second half lead, expect them to have Barber run it to end the game.

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
Andre Johnson has had a somewhat streaky season but Week 12 promises to be a good one for the Texans receiver. Johnson is up against the Cleveland Browns and he’ll be targeted plenty of times. While he’s had a little bit of trouble scoring touchdowns this year, Week 12 looks like a week in which AJ will get at least one TD.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Going up against the Colts with a healthy offense, Antonio Gates should be free to roam and cause damage. With the wide receivers playing well, the running backs playing well and the quarterback having his best season, Gates sometimes is the forgotten man. In Week 12, the Chargers will make the Colts pay if they forget about Gates.

QB Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears
The Bears are going up against the best defensive team in the NFL when they take on the Tennessee Titans. On top of that, a number of their top wide receivers are struggling with injuries. All told, there really isn’t a good reason to start Rex Grossman this week, who’s filling in for the injured Kyle Orton.

RB Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks
Even though Julius Jones and the Seahawks seemingly have a decent matchup against the Miami Dolphins, don’t get suckered into starting him. Jones has slowly lost his grip on the running back job and is now simply a part time running back in a bad offense. He’s destined to get only about 40 yards with no touchdown this week.

WR Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
Marvin Harrison has been a great fantasy football player for a long time. But his reign has a top receiver is finished. He has lost a step and is now a very average wideout option for Peyton Manning. He may get a few more touchdowns on the season and could have another big game but he’s a shadow of his former self. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers is a good time to sit him.

TE Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are simply a mess right now. Avoid starting any of their players if you can. They got shutout last week and there’s no promise that another similar type performance isn’t going to happen this week. Zach Miller is talented but stay away until the Raiders show life.

QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Last week, Peyton Manning finally looked like Peyton Manning. The Colts quarterback had by far his best game. His struggles earlier in the season could very well be chalked up to the multiple knee surgeries he had in the offseason. Expect Manning to continue his good play in Week 7.

RB Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
Going against the St. Louis Rams, Marion Barber III should get a whole lot of work. No matter if Tony Romo or Brad Johnson starts at quarterback, Barber will be called upon to keep the pressure of the QB. This is a week that Barber could easily finish the game with two or three touchdowns.

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
After blowing up in Week 6, Andre Johnson should be able to carry it over into Week 7. The Lions have been very poor against the pass and Johnson is one of the most talented receivers in the entire NFL. If he can have a big game, Johnson should emerge as a top five fantasy wide receiver from here on out.

TE Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
The Redskins will try to bounce back after their shocking Week 6 loss. Chris Cooley will be a big part of their offensive attack against the Cleveland Browns. Cooley has had an inconsistent fantasy football season, but he should be able to put up plenty of numbers this week.

QB Brad Johnson, Dallas Cowboys
If Tony Romo misses any action, Brad Johnson should be able to fill in decently enough. Against a poor defense, Johnson is a good start even at his old age due to all the offensive weapons at his disposal. However, be aware that Romo is necessarily out for Week 7 so you should still follow that storyline closely.

RB Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts
With Joseph Addai out approximately 2-to-4 weeks, Dominic Rhodes will step into a starter’s role. Although he isn’t as good as Addai, Rhodes runs hard and should be able to produce. He’s a decent RB2 until Addai returns. Pick him up if he’s available in your league.

WR Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions
Now that Roy Williams is a member of the Cowboys, Shaun McDonald is expected to start at wide receiver. While he’s not a great receiver, he showed that he has fantasy potential last year. Don’t start him on your fantasy football team right away but he’s a sleeper that could blossom later in the year.

TE Billy Miller, New Orleans Saints
If Jeremy Shockey misses another week, consider picking up and starting Billy Miller. Miller is getting a good amount of looks from Drew Brees and has performed pretty well. Another week in the starting lineup could spell a big day and perhaps a touchdown for Miller.

QB Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
The Rams have switched coaches and Marc Bulger is now back in as the starting quarterback. While he’s had a horrible fantasy season so far, he has the weapons to turn it around quickly.

RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Slowed by injuries early on, Ryan Grant has been a bust so far in the 2008 fantasy football season. But his schedule gets easier and he seems to be healthy, so he should become halfway decent soon.

WR Randy Moss, New England Patriots
Many fantasy owners have written off Randy Moss after the loss of Tom Brady. While his value certainly has suffered, expect him to step it up in forthcoming weeks as Matt Cassel adjusts.

TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
In Week 1, Dallas Clark got injured. Combine that with a bye week and it seems like the fantasy world has forgotten about Clark. However, as Peyton Manning gets healthier, expect Clark to produce.

QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
After a tough Week 1, Peyton Manning should be able to bounce back in Week 2. Going up against a team in the Minnesota Vikings that is great against the run, Manning will be called on to pass early and pass often. Expect a couple touchdowns and 250 plus yards.

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
In Week 1, Matt Forte had a very good day running the ball against the Colts. This week, Adrian Peterson should have success against Indianapolis. He should get plenty of carries this week and will likely finish with more than 120 yards rushing and at least one touchdown.

WR Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
The Giants get to go up against the St. Louis Rams in Week 2. This is the same team that got destroyed by the Eagles in Week 1. Expect Burress to have a huge game — with a long touchdown pass being very likely.

TE Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles will likely spend the week trying to slow down Terrell Owens, which should open up things for Jason Witten to be dominant. Witten is quickly separating himself as the clear cut best fantasy tight end in all the land.

If you have Jason Witten on your fantasy football team, be excited.

Photo: Newscom

QUARTERBACKS
Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
Kerry Collins will start in place of Vince Young, who is expected to miss up to a month with a knee injury.

RUNNING BACK
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Although he’s being listed as questionable, many expect LaDainian Tomlinson to play in Week 2. He has a toe injury but should be able to tough it out.

Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Ryan Grant has been listed as questionable for most of the week. He was able to practice on Friday so expect him to play.

Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
After injuring his ribs in Week 1, many fantasy owners worried about Barber’s future. Thankfully it appears he’ll play in Week 2.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
In Week 1, Donte Stallworth was a late scratch. This week he’s listed as doubtful and isn’t expected to play.

Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Although he’s been able to practice at various points this week, don’t expect Jerry Porter to play in Week 2. He’ll play soon, though.

Laveranues Coles, New York Jets
Throughout the week, Laveranues Coles hasn’t been able to complete a full practice. He’s questionable to play in Week 2.

Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders
He didn’t play in Week 1 but expect Javon Walker to put on his Raiders jersey and play in Week 2.

Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Like Walker, Reggie Brown didn’t play in Week 1. He’s being listed as questionable for Week 2 and should be a game time decision.

TIGHT ENDS
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
Early in the Week 1 game, Dallas Clark went down with an injury. He’s being listed as questionable and it’s probably 50/50 that he plays in Week 2.

KICKERS
Jason Elam, Atlanta Falcons
Heading into Week 2, Jason Elam is listed as questionable. Look elsewhere for a kicker for this week.