It’s officially the postseason in most fantasy football leagues as we enter week 14. This week’s action features a battle between the Giants (6-6) and the Panthers (6-6) for the final NFC playoff spot, the Chargers (10-2) and the Broncos (7-5), and a Sunday Night Football matchup between the red-hot Saints (8-4) and the torrid Cowboys (8-4). Big-name players like Chester Taylor, Marques Colston and Jake Delhomme are each question marks for their contests due to injuries, so be sure to watch the injury report until the 11th hour before making lineup decisions. It’s officially must-win time now, baby! May the best team win…

CAR QB – Panthers coach John Fox said that Delhomme (thumb) remains questionable and will likely be a game-time decision for Sunday’s important matchup with the Giants. If he’s unable to suit up, Chris Weinke is expected to get the start. The G-Men are surrendering 218 passing yards per game, so Weinke could be a decent No. 2 QB option. Steve Smith is still a must-start, but drop Keyshawn Johnson a notch in value.

MIN RB – The Vikings could be without their prized running back this week against the Lions, as Chester Taylor remains doubtful with a rib injury. He will be a game-time decision for the contest. Ciatrick Fason and Mewelde Moore will likely split the touches in the backfield if he’s unable to go. Detroit is giving up 127.1 yards on the ground per contest, so Fason appears to be a decent short-term pickup if Taylor is, indeed, sidelined.

NO WR – The Saints were without their top two wide receivers for most of last week’s win against the Niners, as Marques Colston has missed three straight with an ankle injury and Joe Horn is hobbled by a groin injury. They could also be without them again next week against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football as both wideouts are listed as game-time calls. Devery Henderson, Terrance Cooper and Reggie Bush would see a spike in value again if the two starters are unable to suit up.

NE RB – The Patriots were without rookie Laurence Maroney for the final three quarters of last week’s game against the Lions because of a back injury. He missed a portion of Thursday’s practice and is still clearly not 100 percent. New England takes on the mighty Dolphins run defense, so Maroney isn’t a great option in the split role. However, if he does sit, Corey Dillon will get the brunt of the carries, while Kevin Faulk will see the time as the third-down back.

Injuries
Quarterbacks
Brooks Bollinger (shoulder) – doubtful, not expected to play
Marc Bulger (ribs) – probable, will start
Daunte Culpepper (knee) – out indefinitely
Jake Delhomme (thumb) – questionable, game-time decision
Jeff Garcia (arm) – probable, will start
Byron Leftwich (ankle) – out for the season

Running Backs
Kevan Barlow (calf) - questionable
Ronnie Brown (hand) – out, might return in week 15
Reggie Bush (shoulder) – probable, will play
DeShaun Foster (elbow) – probable, will likely play
Ahman Green (knee) – probable, will start
Nick Goings (shoulder) – questionable
Cedric Houston (knee) – probable, expected to start
Maurice Jones-Drew (thigh) – probable, likely will play
LaMont Jordan (knee) – likely out for the season
Laurence Maroney (back) – questionable, status uncertain
Willis McGahee (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Musa Smith (neck) – doubtful, will not play
Aaron Stecker (hamstring) – doubtful
Chester Taylor (ribs) – doubtful, status uncertain
Michael Turner (hamstring) – questionable, not expected to play
Brian Westbrook (toe) – probable, expected to start
LenDale White (hip) – questionable, missed practice Thursday

Wide Receivers
Michael Clayton (knee) – out for the season
Marques Colston (ankle) – questionable, likely a game-time decision
Kevin Curtis (calf) – probable, likely will play
Bobby Engram (flu) – questionable, status uncertain
Tory Holt (knee) – probable, will start
T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) – probable, expected to start
Joe Horn (groin) – questionable, game-time decision
Chad Jackson (hamstring) – questionable, will not play
Keenan McCardell (calf) – questionable, status uncertain
Jerry Porter (hip) – doubtful, not expected to play
Marcus Robinson (ankle) – probable, will play
Brandon Stokley (knee) – questionable, will play
Kelley Washington (hamstring) – questionable, status uncertain
Cedrick Wilson (ankle) – out Thursday

Tight Ends
Steven Alexander (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Dallas Clark (knee) – out indefinitely
Tony Gonzalez (shoulder) – probable, will start
Eric Johnson (knee) – out
Itula Mili (concussion) – doubtful
Alex Smith (ankle) – questionable, expected to play
Daniel Wilcox (thigh) – questionable, will likely play

Kickers
Jason Elam (hamstring) – questionable, game-time decision
Sebastian Janikowski (back) – probable, will likely play

Best/Worst Matchups in week 13
Up against toughest run defenses
1. Minnesota (58.8 YPG) – Kevin Jones, Arlen Harris
2. Baltimore (75.8 YPG) – Larry Johnson, Michael Bennett
3. New England (82.7 YPG) – Sammy Morris, Travis Minor (Ronnie Brown – out)
4. Dallas (90.3 YPG) – Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush
5. Jacksonville (91.5 YPG) – Joseph Addai, Dominic Rhodes

Up against easiest run defenses
32. Indianapolis (159.9 YPG) – Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew
31. St. Louis (153.3 YP) – Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson
30. Tennessee (143.8 YPG) – Ron Dayne, Wali Lundy
29. Buffalo (140.3 YPG) – Cedric Houston, Leon Washington
28. Philadelphia (136.8 YPG) – Ladell Betts, T.J. Duckett

Up against toughest pass defenses
1. Oakland (143.0 YPG) – Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh
2. Chicago (162.3 YPG) – Marc Bulger, Tory Holt, Isaac Bruce
3. Indianapolis (163.7 YPG) – David Garrard, Matt Jones, Ernest Wilford
4. New Orleans (180.3 YPG) – Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn
5. Miami (187.0 YPG) – Tom Brady, Reche Caldwell, Ben Watson

Up against easiest pass defenses
32. Cincinnati (243.6 YPG) – Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward (out), Nate Washington, Santonio Holmes
31. Atlanta (238.1 YPG) – Bruce Gradkowski, Joey Galloway, Michael Clayton
30. Green Bay (235.2 YPG) – Alex Smith, Antonio Bryant, Arnaz Battle
29. Arizona (234.8 YPG) – Matt Hasselbeck, Darrell Jackson, Deion Branch
28. Tennessee (231.0 YPG) – David Carr, Andre Johnson, Eric Moulds

Week 14 Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 7
Cleveland at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Dec. 10
Atlanta at Tampa Bay 1:00 p.m. 76/61, 10%
Baltimore at Kansas City 1:00 p.m. 46/40, 30%
Indianapolis at Jacksonville 1:00 p.m. 68/51, 30%
Minnesota at Detroit 1:00 p.m. Dome
New England at Miami 1:00 p.m. 77/67, 30%
N.Y. Giants at Carolina 1:00 p.m. 56/32, 10%
Oakland at Cincinnati 1:00 p. m. 47/35, 10%
Philadelphia at Washington 1:00 p.m. 50/30, 10%
Tennessee at Houston 1:00 p.m. Dome
Green Bay at San Francisco 4:05 p.m. 56/43, 40%
Seattle at Arizona 4:05 p.m. 65/40, 10%
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets 4:15 p.m. 49/36, 10%
Denver at San Diego 4:15 p.m. 62/48, 10%
New Orleans at Dallas 8:15 p.m. 62/52, 30%

Monday, Dec. 11
Chicago at St. Louis 8:30 p.m. Dome

Questions, comments, quandaries? Contact me at tycoon4477@hotmail.com