QB Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
Even though Donovan McNabb had a very good Week 13 showing, don’t bet on him to repeat that performance in Week 14. Going up against the New York Giants, McNabb’s limited mobility will be on full display. If the Giants get a good rush on him, it could be a very long and disappointing game for McNabb.

RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis has a lot of things going against him this weekend. First of all, he has to deal with a myriad of injuries that have slowed him in recent weeks. Equally as scary is the fact that he’s up against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Considering both aspects, this would be a good week to look elsewhere for production.

WR Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans
Although Justin Gage have had some big games over the last six weeks, he’s not a very good start this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. Gage is going up against a defense that has played well the last two weeks and although his stats have been good, the number of targets haven’t been enough to expect production week in and week out.

TE Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos
Although the Broncos have a good matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos will likely be running a whole lot. When they do pass, they’ll probably go deep to a wide receiver. Combine those two possibilities and Tony Scheffler doesn’t seem like he’ll have a lot of chances to impact Week 14 of the 2008 fantasy football season.

In fantasy football leagues that score 1 point per 15 yards and 6 points per touchdown, here’s a look at the top five running backs for the 2008 season:

5. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Although the Niners have had a difficult year, Frank Gore has had a bit of a bounce back season. Last year, he was a fantasy football disappointment but he’s been well worth his preseason draft positions in 2008. Down the stretch, Gore should be a very good option — especially if Shaun Hill can continue having success at quarterback.

4. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Coming into the 2008 fantasy football season, it was difficult to figure where to put Michael Turner on the running back rankings. But after signing with the Falcons in the offseason, he’s made Atlanta look smart by being a very good running back. Against teams with weak run defenses, he’s especially deadly.

3. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis was actually at the top of this list until recently when he got banged up. If he can get healthy, he’s going to get a lot of carries to end the season. If not, his fantasy owners may have to look elsewhere. However, filling his huge shoes will be close to impossible.

2. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
The true surprise of the 2008 running back rankings has to be Thomas Jones. He didn’t look too good last year in 2007 and many fantasy experts were wondering whether he could lose his starting job. Not only has Jones remained the starter, he’s been arguably the most explosive fantasy back in the NFL this season.

1. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
The Super Bowl champion Giants have the best fantasy running back at the moment. Jacobs is almost impossible to bring down in one-on-one situations and he has a nose for the endzone. As long as the Giants keep giving him the rock and as long as he stays healthy, he could very well be the best fantasy running back in 2008.

Photo: Newscom

RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Although he’s officially listed as questionable, don’t plan on using Clinton Portis in your Week 11 fantasy football lineup. Even if he is able to play, which appears less and less likely by the hour, he’ll probably split carries with Ladell Bets and Shaun Alexander. For that reason alone, look for another running back to start in your fantasy lineup.

RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson’s situation is much clearer. Jackson will not being to play in Week 11. His thigh injury isn’t healing and the injury may be more severe than first diagnosed. In his place, the Rams will use Travis Minor and Antonio Pittman at running back. Since they will be splitting carries, neither one of them appears to be a good fantasy football start.

QB Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins
If you were planning to start Chad Pennington this weekend, you probably got a bit worried when you saw his name show up on the injury report recently. Since he’s listed as probably, expect him to play. But if he doesn’t, Chad Henne will be the quarterback for the Dolphins.

QB Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears
When he first got injured, Kyle Orton was said to be out for at least a month with a high ankle sprain. But a further examination showed that Orton didn’t have a high ankle sprain. After missing one week, Orton appears ready to play this weekend in Week 11. Although you might want to wait a week before starting him to make sure that ankle is alright, he should be decent enough in an emergency role for your fantasy football team.

Photo credit: Newscom

Santana Moss leaves the competition behind once again.

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Playing in London, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was phenomenal. Brees finished the game against the San Diego Chargers with 339 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also completed 30 of his 41 pass attempts. Brees has quickly become arguably the best fantasy football quarterback in 2008.

RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
After missing a few weeks due to injury, Brian Westbrook was back in action and looking 100%. In a dominant performance against the Atlanta Falcons, Westbrook had 167 yards rushing, 42 yards receiving and two total touchdowns. Any injury questions should be muted after this performance.

WR Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
Coming into the 2008 fantasy football campaign, Santana Moss was a fantasy question mark. This year, he has exceeded virtually all expectations. In Week 8, Moss was again dominant as he had nine catches for 140 yards and one touchdown. He now has five touchdowns in his seven games.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates has once again claimed his spot at the top of the tight end mountain. It’s no surprise that he was the top performer in fantasy football for all tight ends. He finished Week 8 of the 2008 season with a touchdown to go along with 96 receiving yards.

Photo: Newscom

QB Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off of a bye week, Donovan McNabb should have a fine week in fantasy football. Not only will he be rested, but his wide receiving corps seems to be getting healthy. Expect McNabb to have at least two touchdown passes against the Atlanta Falcons.

RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Not only has Clinton Portis been the best running back in fantasy football, he is going against the Detroit Lions this week. That combination makes Portis a fantastic start in Week 8. Over a hundred yards and at least on touchdown should be his minimum production.

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
As of late, Andre Johnson has been on fire. The Cincinnati Bengals, his Week 8 opponent, won’t be able to do much to slow him down. Expect Johnson to get at least six catches and at least 90 yards receiving this week.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Playing in London against the New Orleans Saints, Antonio Gates is the best tight end for Week 8. He has overcome his early season injuries and has regained his footing as a top flight fantasy football tight end.

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 Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
After starting the season with three straight three-touchdown games, Rivers has had just two touchdowns in his last two games. He’s still rated highly by a lot of fantasy football owners due to his fast start, so sell him high if you can.

RB Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
While Steve Slaton is a great story and has been a fantastic fantasy football pick this season, his stock likely won’t get any higher. Now would be a good time to sell considering that he’s a rookie who could hit a rookie wall at some point. Not only that, Ahman Green may start to split carries with him at some point.

WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
Like Slaton, DeSean Jackson is a rookie — which means he hasn’t proven himself. For savvy fantasy football owners, that’s a reg flag. Add to that the fact that Kevin Curtis is coming back and Donovan McNabb has looked poor the last few weeks and now is a good time to shop Jackson.

TE Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
After a huge Week 5 performance, selling high on Chris Cooley makes a lot of sense. A good chunk of his stats came off of trick plays, which can’t be counted on going forward. If you can sell Cooley at an inflated value, don’t hesitate.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Despite an injury that almost forced him to miss the game, Aaron Rodgers produced a very good fantasy week in Week 5. He finished with three touchdowns and 313 yards. All wasn’t good for the Packers however as they lost the game against the Atlanta Falcons.

RB Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Brandon Jacobs exploded in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the game with 15 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Although some fantasy football owners were down on him entering the season, he has played very well thus far.

WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
Big things were expected out of Roddy White this season but he has struggled at times with rookie quarterback Matt Ryan at the helm. But in Week 5, White still proved he’s a dangerous fantasy weapon as he had eight catches for 132 yards and a touchdown.

TE Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
Chris Cooley can sometimes get lost in the Redskins’ offense but he was very visible in the Week 5 game. He was dominant on his way to eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Any worries that Brandon Jacobs may have lost his hunger after the Super Bowl championships may be put to bed. In the NFL’s opening game, Jacobs ran over Laron Landry. You can see the video at the end of the entry.

Landry isn’t a bad player — in fact, the second-year Washington Redskin is destined to be a very good player. However, sometimes it is best to just get out of the way when Jacobs is headed at you with a full head of steam.

In terms of fantasy football, there is reason to be excited if you own Jacobs. He’s in a solid offense and he’s the clear cut starter. As for the Redskins defense, their run defense didn’t look too good in Week 1.

Here is the video of Laron Landry getting flattened by Brandon Jacobs:

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Which fantasy football players stood out in the first game of the NFL season? Although the Giants won the game 16-7, both teams had some notable fantasy football performance.

Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Many worried about Plaxico Burress and his leg injuries heading into the 2008 season. However, in the first game of the season, Burress proved he’s feeling good. He finished the game with 10 catches for 133 yards.

Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Getting a bit over two-thirds of the carries for the Giants, Brandon Jacobs looked really good. He was powerful and showed very good burst. If he stays healthy, he could have a big year. Jacobs finished the game with 21 carries for 116 yards.

Eli Manning, New York Giants
Although he started off on fire, Eli Manning really cooled down as the game went along. Although he was passing the ball well to Burress, the rest of his passes looked a bit off. Manning didn’t have a passing touchdown but he was able to score a rushing touchdown.

Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Although he didn’t have a hugely productive game, Portis was very involved for the Redskins. If you have Portis on your team, you know that he will get a lot of touches each and every game. Portis finished the game with 84 rushing yards.

Antwaan Randle El, Washington Redskins
Antwaan Randle El didn’t have much fantasy football love heading into the season but his performance in the first game may turn a few heads. Playing in a new offense, Randle El had seven catches for 73 yards. If he keeps it up, he could become a fantasy option soon.