Who would have thunk it? It’s amazing how such unlikely players can dictate who wins your fantasy league’s champion. Ron Dayne blew up in a dramatic upset win over the Colts, rushing 32 times for 153 yards and two TDs. In the past four games, he’s emerged from the shadows, rushing for 429 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Ronald Curry and Michael Pittman also proved to valuable surrogate starters as well in this very important weekend of action. In the season’s finale edition of Chutes ‘n’ Ladders, we’ll break down the best performers on your waiver wires and a light day of injuries.

Free Agent Possibilities
Quarterbacks
Vince Young, TEN 13-for-20, 183 yards, two TD, 61 yards rushing, TD
David Carr, HOU 16-for-23, 163 yards, TD, 14 yards rushing
David Garrard, JAC 17-for-23, 195 yards, TD, 11 yards, FL
Jason Campbell, WAS 13-for-26, 160 yards, TD
Chris Blake, CAR 4-for-7, 32 yards, TD
Kurt Warner, ARI 9-for-13, 105 yards
Tim Rattay, TB 16-for-26, 212 yards, INT, FL
Brian Griese, CHI 6-for-9, 51 yards
Tavaris Jackson, MIN 10-for-20, 50 yards, INT, 23 yards rushing
Charlie Batch, PIT, 4-for-11, 49 yards
Andrew Walter, OAK 27-for-37, 226 yards, two INT, two FL

Young continued his spectacular rookie campaign by leading the Titans to their sixth straight win, all in dramatic comeback fashion. They outlasted the Bills 30-29 coming back from a nine-point deficit with 12 minutes left. He scored on a 36-yard scamper on 4th-and-2 at the end of the second quarter and improved to 8-4 as a starter. Despite starting out 0-5, Tennessee is still alive in the tight AFC playoff race. They will have to go through the mighty Patriots next week though.

Running Backs
Ron Dayne, HOU 32 rushes, 153 yards, two TD
Michael Pittman, TB 16 rushes, 86 yards, TD, four rec, 21 yards
Arlen Harris, DET 10 rushes, 44 yards, five rec, 26 yards
Justin Fargas, OAK 19 rushes, 90 yards, two rec, seven yards
Vonta Leach, HOU three rec, 18 yards, TD
T.J. Duckett, WAS five rushes, 18 yards, TD
Marcel Shipp, ARI five rec, 13 yards, TD
Cedric Benson, CHI 15 rushes, 49 yards, two rec, eight yards
Mike Alstott, TB 22 rushes, 56 yards

Cadillac Williams sat out Sunday’s contest, so coach John Gruden went with a two-headed RB of Michael Pittman (107 total yards, TD) and Mike Alstott (56 yards rushing) for their ground game. Both turned in decent performances as the Bucs knocked off the Browns 22-7. … Harris and Fargas will continue being their team’s primary RB in the finale. Fargas has been getting a ton of carries, but is not part of the Raiders goal line package so don’t expect  the TDs. ReShard Lee or Zach Crockett will get those duties. … The Bears have officially clinched AFC homefield advantage so don’t be surprised if coach Lovie Smith elects to bench starting RB Thomas Jones. Cedric Benson should be a strong play against GB in the meaningless finale if you need RB help.
Wide Receivers
Ronald Curry, OAK 11 rec, 106 yards
Vincent Jackson, SD five rec, 97 yards, two TD
Brandon Jones, TEN five rec, 101 yards, TD
Santonio Holmes, PIT five rec, 90 yards
Matt Jones, JAC four rec, 69 yards, TD
Peerless Price, BUF seven rec, 73 yards
Bobby Engram, SEA four rec, 65 yards
Arnaz Battle, SF seven rec, 55 yards, FL
Brandon Marshall, DEN four rec, 65 yards
D.J. Hackett, SEA three rec, 37 yards

With Randy Moss and Jerry Porter out of the picture for the Raiders, Curry has emerged into the Raiders No. 1 receiving option. The past three games now, he’s racked up 28 catches, 292 yards and a TD – that’s more catches than any player in the league. … Darrell Jackson will likely sit out the week 17 regular season finale too so Engram and Hackett will continue to have value in Seattle’s pass attack. … Since Jay Cutler took over as Denver’s starting quarterback, Marshall has been had a consistent role in the Broncos pass attack. He had just six catches in the first 11 games with Jake Plummer, but has a dozen catches the past four games with the rookie at QB. … Holmes has quietly been one of the best rookies this season, registering 700 yards and 45 receptions in his first campaign, filling in nicely for Antwaan Randle El. He should be a strong sleeper candidate next season.

Tight Ends
David Thomas, NE five rec, 83 yards, TD
Vernon Davis, SF four rec, 91 yards
Dominque Byrd, STL two rec, 39 yards, TD
Dan Campbell, DET two rec, 31 yards, TD
Tony Scheffler, DEN two rec, 26 yards, TD
Heath Miller, PIT three rec, 12 yards, TD
Alex Smith, TB four rec, 45 yards
Bubba Franks, GB five rec, 43 yards, FL

Major Offensive Injuries    
Matt Leinart was forced to leave Sunday’s contest and will sit out next week’s finale after he sprained his throwing shoulder near the end of the first half. The rookie was hurt when SF LB Roderick Green sacked him and will undergo an MRI exam for Wednesday. Kurt Warner relieved him and threw for 105 yards on 9-for-13 passing. He’ll get the nod against San Diego next week, who needs a victory or a Baltimore loss for homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. … Derek Anderson separated his shoulder on Cleveland's final drive against the Buccaneers Sunday. With Charlie Frye (wrist) already sidelined, Ken Dorsey came in for some mop-up duty. It’s possible he could get the starting nod if the top two options are unable to go. None are advisable fantasy alternatives though. … Ben Roethlisberger injured his throwing hand on a pass that was intercepted by safety Ed Reed. Charlie Batch then took over behind center. The defending Super Bowl champions were officially eliminated so Big Ben could sit if he’s not 100 percent. … Ashley Lelie suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter against the Panthers and did not return. His status for next week is uncertain.

Week 17 Schedule
Saturday, Dec. 30
N.Y. Giants at Washington 8:00 pm (Tiki Barber's final game)

Sunday, Dec. 31
Atlanta at Philadelphia 1:00 pm
Buffalo at Baltimore 1:00 pm
Carolina at New Orleans 1:00 pm
Cleveland at Houston 1:00 pm
Detroit at Dallas 1:00 pm
Green Bay at Chicago 1:00 pm
Jacksonville at Kansas City 1:00 pm
Miami at Indianapolis 1:00 pm
New England at Tennessee 1:00 pm
Oakland at N.Y. Jets 1:00 pm
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 1:00 pm
Seattle at Tampa Bay 1:00 pm
St. Louis at Minnesota 1:00 pm
Arizona at San Diego 4:15 pm
San Francisco at Denver 4:15 pm

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