Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers technically won their opening game of the 2009 NFL regular season, they also suffered a big loss when Troy Polamalu injured his knee. Preliminary findings point to a sprained left MCL, however the Steelers will put the five-time Pro Bowl player through more tests.
If Polamalu has just a sprained left MLC, his likely return date is between Week 4 and Week 9. Considering that the team has a Week 8 bye, there’s a good chance that the Steelers would play it conservative and hold Polamalu out until Week 9.
For fantasy football purposes, this move could …read more

A strong fantasy football team usually has a stout fantasy defense holding down the fort. Here’s a look at the best of the best fantasy football defenses for the 2009 fantasy NFL season.

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.

Willie Parker, the starting running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, reportedly missed a recent practice due to back spasms. Although the Steelers don’t think the injury is serious, they decided to be cautious about the situation.
In fantasy football, Willie Parker’s value seems to be on the decline. Last year, Parker only had a decent season. He rushed for 791 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games. It was the first time in three seasons that he had less than 1,200 rushing yards. Perhaps most damning is the fact that he had a yards per rush average of 3.8 yards — …read more

RB JJ Arrington, Arizona Cardinals
In the fantasy football world, JJ Arrington is best known for being a bust of a fantasy draft pick. Coming into the league as a rookie, fantasy owners were under the impression that he would have a big rookie season. While that was off base, Arrington gets some time at running back for the Cardinals and is a threat in the open field.
RB Carey Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers
Most fullbacks aren’t startable in the fantasy football world but with Carey Davis of the Steelers, you can be confident that he’ll at least get a couple touches. In …read more

QB Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
Not only is he playing very well, Kurt Warner knows his way around a Super Bowl. He’s not going to be afraid of the stage and has a chance to have a huge game.
RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Speaking of knowing about Super Bowls, Willie Parker has fond memories of his lone Super Bowl appearance. He was big in that game and could come up huge again for Pittsburgh.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
The most talented player in the Super Bowl has to be Larry Fitzgerald. He’s living up to his potential and is showing why he …read more

Even after the Pittsburgh Steelers earned a trip to this year’s Super Bowl, many Steelers fans had their minds elsewhere. The reason? Hines Ward injury that forced him to miss most of the game versus the Baltimore Ravens.
The good news for Steelers fans and for those of us playing playoff fantasy football is that Hines Ward now says he’s 100% certain he will play in the Super Bowl. Tests after the game indicated that Ward sustained a sprained MCL during the Ravens game.
Although a sprained MCL usually sidelines a player anywhere from three-to-six weeks, Ward insists that the sprain was …read more

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 …read more

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 …read more

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
After winning the Super Bowl as a rookie, Ben Roethlisberger has blossomed into a very capable fantasy football quarterback. He’s not going to wow you with pass attempts but he’s a very steady hand who is dependable on a week to week basis. If he’s your starter, he won’t beat you.
RB Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quietly, Earnest Graham has been very good since becoming a starter. This season, he is averaging over five and half yards per rush. He also has three touchdowns and is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. He …read more

QB Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears
Kyle Orton pleased his fantasy football owners with a three touchdown performance in Week 4. In Week 5, Orton goes against the Detroit Lions, which makes him a nice waiver wire pickup.
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. …read more