RB Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens
Though he wasn’t the starter for the Ravens much at all this season, Willis McGahee got the bulk of the carries in their most important game of the season. He finished with two touchdowns and 60 yards on the ground. But it wasn’t enough for the Ravens and McGahee didn’t get to finish the game as he got knocked out near the end of the game.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
There’s no player who has risen his stock further during the playoffs than Larry Fitzgerald. He seems to have finally reached his vast potential and is putting up insane numbers. Against the Eagles, Fitzgerald had nine catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

TE Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles
Those who rolled the dice with Celek got paid off in a big way. The Philadelphia tight end finished with ten catches for ten catches for 83 yards and two touchdown grabs. Although the Eagles were eliminated, Celek could very well be draftable next season after proving his worth in the playoffs.

Photo credit: Newscom

Post from: Expert Fantasy

By Guest Blogger, Ron Bishow

The playoffs may not have any direct fantasy implications, but it can be a very telling time when looking for players who might be worth drafting next season.

When you get into crunch time coaches only go to the guys they really have faith in, and quarterbacks only throw to players they have total faith in. It is one thing to go with a guy during the regular season, but when jobs are on the line you don’t fool around.

These are the players that you have to keep a tab on next season for your fantasy draft along with the regular names. Players that could mean the difference between winning and losing, and here is just a sample of a few that have distinguished themselves so far this postseason.

Ryan Grant
Grant has been putting up huge numbers the second half of the season (he has the second most rushing yards behind LT) but his playoff game against the Seahawks have clinched him as a first round pick next season. Those 201 yards and three touchdowns have proven he can be a starting back in the league, and what makes him perfect for the Packers is his big play ability. Green Bay will always be pass first as long as Brett Favre is playing, but Grants ability to take any run to the house means that he can put up good numbers no matter how few carries he gets.

Marion Barber
Barber is an All-Pro and a touchdown machine (huge for me all season) and he finally got a start in the Cowboys playoff game against the Giants. Even though they lost he had over 100 yards and a TD in the first half and I think Dallas has finally seen that he can be a full game player. Julius Jones may find himself in another city next season, which would mean Barber would immediately become one of the top ten running backs in the league. He cannot be tackled on the first hit.

Greg Jennings
I have always been a big Jennings fan, I have drafted him each of the past two seasons, and he has always been productive. People have always been afraid to draft him to high do to the presence of Donald Driver, but it seems it will turn into more of a Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne situation. He had 12 touchdowns this season and two against the Seahawks, in other words he is turning into Favre’s favorite scoring target.

Eli Manning
The other Manning has been able to put up some solid fantasy games every few weeks sprinkled in with some terrible games. After two straight solid efforts in the playoffs where he has not thrown a pick he seems that he might have figured it out. He will never be a guy you would start every week, but he may be someone you draft as a backup and not be totally scared to play anymore.

Laurence Maroney
There was no more disappointing first round draft pick this year then Maroney, I should know he was my first round pick and by week five I wasn’t even playing him anymore. It wasn’t all his fault, the Patriots pretty much pass every down, but all of a sudden he is starting to show why he was so popular last season. 122 yards in the playoff game against Jacksonville, which followed two touchdowns in the season finale against the Giants and 156 yards the week before. If they give him the ball he will gain yards. But how many people will bite on him twice?

Stay tuned for the championship rounds to see if these guys keep in up (except poor Barber) or if some other strange name comes out of nowhere, after all this is the NFL.

Ron Bishow has been reporting on the sports world for the past seven years for AOL, Tribune interactive and CO-ED Magazine among others. He is such a fantasy sports fanatic he plays fantasy NASCAR. He is currently a contributing writer and video producer at newyork.metromix.com.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Grant had two early fumbles last week but bounced back and had a huge performance. With over 200 yards on the ground, Grant answered any pending questions regarding whether he’s tough enough to strive in the playoffs. Against the Giants, expect the Packers to try to establish a run game so the Giants aren’t able to send as many blitzes as they sent against the Dallas Cowboys.

WR Amani Toomer, New York Giants
Toomer had three touchdowns during 16 regular season games. In two playoff games, he already has three touchdowns. With Plaxico Burress slowed with an ankle injury, Toomer has become Eli Manning’s main option. While Favre has a handful of options, Toomer is a hot receiver who Manning will no doubt look at for big production this week.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
While Boss hasn’t been very active so far in the playoffs, he remains a vital part of the Giants’ offense. Especially when the team is in the red zone, Boss might become the team’s best receiving threat. The Packers are good at stuffing the run and their corners are very good. That means Boss will need to produce in those situations for the Giants to have a chance.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

But are you sure that we should all count out Brett Favre? Maybe the old man can pull out a Super Bowl win.

Here is the schedule for next weekend:

AFC Championship
San Diego Chargers @ New England Patriots
Sunday, January 20, 2008 – 3:00pm ET (CBS)

NFC Championship
New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
Sunday, January 20, 2008 – 6:30pm ET (FOX)

For all the latest NFL information, check out Every Morning Quarterback and Squib Kick, where David Kindervater and James Edwards provide news, opinions and analysis.

I still can’t believe the “Other Manning” is the one that’s left!

Post from: Expert Fantasy