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The fantasy playoffs continued as the Chargers destroyed the 49ers last night.
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Having players go in the Thursday night games gives you a little bit of an advantage. If your players do well, you can perhaps be a little more cautious with your team. If your players failed to put up good numbers, perhaps you will want to take a bigger risk, hoping to make up some ground. You also get a feel for your matchup depending on how your opponents players did. Let’s take a look at how fantasy owners will be feeling about their players.
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Quarterbacks:  Philip Rivers (273 yards, three touchdowns) didn’t have Antonio Gates or Malcom Floyd in his arsenal, but it did not matter. He just reunited with an old flame in Vincent Jackson to put on a clinic. If you used Alex Smith (165 yards, INT), you’re in some serious trouble.
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Running Backs: There were four possible running back choices in this one. Mike Tolbert (46 yards, TD) was the top ranked of the quartet and he delivered the best score. Brian Westbrook (30 total yards, TD) did well enough for those of you who took a chance on him. Ryan Mathews (56 yards) was OK, while Anthony Dixon (35 total yards) was a letdown.
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Wide Receivers:  Vincent Jackson (112 yards, 3 TDs) was a beast. I bumped him into the top 15 when news broke of Floyd and Gates inactive status. I just wish I bumped him higher. Josh Morgan (106 yards) once again was the top wide receiver threat. He has becoming one of those unheralded players that make fantasy football playoffs legends. Michael Crabtree (17 yards) was a dud. Legedu Naanee was a major letdown.
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Tight Ends: Vernon Davis (4 yards) was nearly invisible. Tough break for his fantasy owners. You’ll have to make up those points. Randy McMichael (55 yards) did an admirable job filling in for Gates.
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Kickers:  Nate Kaeding kicked two field goals (25, 39) and had four PATs. Solid start. Jeff Reed was held to one lonely PAT.
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Defenses:  San Diego was a beast holding the Niners to seven points. They racked up six sacks and forced on turnover (INT). The Niners got blitzed allowing 34 points. They had just one sack and did not force a turnover.
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Also check out:

• Week 15 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice
• Week 15 Fantasy QB Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy RB Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy WR Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy TE Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy K Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy IDP Rankings
• Week 15 Start/Sit Advice

Written by Eric Stashin of www.rotoprofessor.com

When Glen Coffee suddenly retired, it looked like the 49ers would be left with little behind star running back Frank Gore.  Less then three weeks later, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Not only did they bring Brian Westbrook into the mix, but sixth round pick Anthony Dixon has emerged from obscurity.  While a lot of his impressive preseason statistics came against marginal NFL players, at best, it still is hard to overlook.

He led the NFL with 300 rushing yards (Michael Bennett was second with 236). He led the NFL with four rushing touchdowns.

Then again, he had 20 more carries then any other running back, at 74.  When you have that big of a lead in carries, it’s easy to out rush the competition by such a great margin.

Despite coach Mike Singleton telling Comcast Sports Net California that, “When you have a guy like that, there’s going to be a role”, it’s impossible to think the role is going to be anything too special at this point.

With the options that the team has in front of him, it’s going to take a lot for Dixon to get regular touches.  Granted, Westbrook certainly is an injury risk, but even if he were the primary understudy to Gore would you expect him to develop into usability?

Gore has played in 14 or more games each of the past four years, only once having less then 1,100 yards during that span (1,036 in 2008).  He’s a workhorse, and should remain to be the main man in San Francisco.

Coffee, as the primary backup to Gore in 2009, got just 83 carries for 226 yards and a touchdown (plus 11 catches for 76 yards).

An impressive preseason is nice, but Dixon just isn’t likely to make an impact in 2010.  Don’t bother getting caught up in any attention he may be receiving.  There are much better options that should be available to you.

Keep an eye on him, just in case, but there certainly is no reason to be making a move right now.

What are your thoughts of Dixon?  Is there any chance he develops into a usable option in 2010?  Why or why not?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s 2010 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers

You can also check out my Week 1 Rankings:
Week 1 QB Rankings
Week 1 RB Rankings
Week 1 WR Rankings
Week 1 TE Rankings
Week 1 K Rankings
Week 1 DEF Rankings
Week 1 IDP Rankings

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Brian Westbrook finally has a new home. After spending his first eight seasons with Philadelphia, Westy is headed West to San Francisco to join Frank Gore in the Niners’ backfield. Westy is an electric playmaker when healthy. He has dealt with an assortment of injuries in the past, but it is his string of concussions that have his career in jeopardy. Even when he was limited to eight games last year, he managed 25 catches as well as a 4.5 ypc on 61 carries. One more concussion could end his career so don’t expect him to be much more than an insurance policy should Frank Gore go down. Anthony Dixon had a strong showing in the Niners’ preseason opener, and will challenge Westbrook for the backup spot.

Westbrook wasn’t he only former NFC East runner moving westward. Ladell Betts also spent eight years with his first team, in his case the Washington Redskins. Betts only topped 100 carries once in his career, and isn’t expected to do so with his new club. Betts will essentially replace Lynell Hamilton as RB depth for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. While Westbrook has limited fantasy value, Betts has even less. Even if Pierre Thomas were to go down, I would not expect Betts to even match the production Mike Bell had last year.

It’s looking like Anquan Boldin will finally be forced to sit out because of his ankle injury. It’s not healing properly because he keeps tweaking it. They’ll need him at full strength if they’re going to make another run at the division and beyond. Steve Breaston will get the start, and makes a great play this weekend.

Jake Delhomme (chest) has been able to practice, but I wouldn’t even use him in two-QB leagues at this point. If he struggles, it will be Matt Moore time. He is also a risk to aggravate his injury. Oh yeah, and he must be color blind because he can’t figure out which team to throw the ball to.


Calvin Johnson (knee) was able to return to practice for the Lions, which is a good indication that he’ll be ready to return to the field finally. Detroit desperately needs him in their lineup. If he can go, he makes for a great play against Seattle.


Brian Westbrook (concussion) got medical clearance to play this weekend against Dallas. He’ll probably be in a reduced role because LeSean McCoy has played so well. Westy isn’t a must-start at this point, but he should be a solid option as long as he’s given the green light by the Eagles’ coaching staff.  McCoy has the flu, which could cause the Eagles to lean on Westy a bit more. Monitor this situation.

Limited (No Worries)
Steve Breaston (knee)
Donald Driver (neck)
Matt Hasselbeck (ribs)
Todd Heap (ankle)
Devin Hester (ankle)
Greg Olsen (ankle)
Aaron Rodgers (foot, toe)
Kevin Smith (shoulder)
Jonathan Stewart (heel)

Limited (Don’t Use)
Lance Moore (ankle) – Not because he’s hurting, but because he’s been bad this year.
Muhsin Muhammad – Even if he plays, he shouldn’t be in your lineup.

Brian Westbrook (ankle) and DeSean Jackson (groin) were banged up in Philadelphia’s loss to the Saints.  Both will likely miss some practice time this week so you’ll have to monitor their availability.  New Orleans’ Mike Bell hurt his knee, which could open the door for Pierre Thomas.  Lance Moore (hamstring) was knocked out of the Saints.  He seems like a forgotten man.

Frank Gore shredded Seattle’s Defense, but injured his ankle along the way.  Fortunately for Gore owners, it doesn’t appear to be serious.

Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) left today’s game.  Hopefully, you have good options in case he’s out for an extended period.  Trent Edwards, David Garrard, Kyle Orton, or Byron Leftwich may be available in your league if need be.

Seattle’s Rookie Tackle Jason Smith injured his knee.  If he’s out, Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger and company could continue to struggle.

Pierre Thomas’s knee will cost him a juicy matchup against Detroit.  Be sure to bump Reggie Bush up a few notches, and Mike Bell, who was already in my Fantasy Fill-ins for the week, shows up on the radar.  An unlikely RB2 for the first week, but the situation is almost too good to be true. 

Look elsewhere for your WR3s as both Kevin Walter and Bernard Berrian on game-time-decisions.  Who wants to deal with that in the first week?  There are better plays this week that won’t give you an upset stomach.

It looks as if Brian Westbrook will play on Sunday.  If you’re planning on using him, make sure you have a replacement RB on speed dial.

It looks as if Marc Bulger and Kyle Orton are going to get the nod this week.  Say it with me…Whoopty Doo.  If you’re in dire straights role with Orton, but if you are using Bulger you might as well pencil in a L for the week.

In relevant QB news, Carson Palmer will get the start for the Bengals.  He makes a nice start against Denver despite missing the bulk of the preseason.

Save $80 on CBSSports.com’s Fantasy Football Commisioner league with the exclusive LestersLegends discount code.   Sign up today!

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Before I get started on Westy, let me once again offer my sympathy for the Eagles organization and the Jim Johnson family, who truly lost a great one this week.

Brian Westbrook is one of the best players in all of football when healthy.  That’s the problem though.  He is currently rehabbing an ankle injury and will turn 30 in September.  He has battled through a myriad of injuries the past few years, only missing four of his past 48 games after missing five in 2004 & 2005. Despite playing in 14 games he finished with 1338 total yards (936 rushing, 402 receiving) with 14 TDs.  His total yardage was down 36.4% last year though.  It appears that is a sign of things to come.  Every year there is some risk associated with drafting Westy, and I feel it’s even great this year, which is why he is sliding to the second round in fantasy drafts.  Aside from the age and injuries, the Eagles drafted LeSean McCoy who, like Westy, is a dual threat.  McCoy could seriously cut into Westbrook’s touches.

It’s important for Westy to be in the lineup out of the game.  In Weeks 2 & 3 the Eagles face New Orleans and Kansas City.  They also face the Raiders in Week 6.  As dynamic a player as Westy is when he’s healthy and the offense is humming makes matchups a little insignificant, but it’s nice to know he has a good fantasy playoff schedule of the Giants, who he dominates historically, the 49ers, and the Broncos.  It’s hard to put a number on Westy because of his health, but I’m expecting a 1500 total yard, 8 TD campaign.