QUARTERBACKS

Vince Young was on his way to another fine effort (6-8, 132 yards and 1 TD) before exiting with strained hamstring.  Kerry Collins performed well in relief throwing for 154 yards and a score, but Young is expected to play Sunday.  The Bruce Gradkowski saga came to a screeching halt Sunday when torn MCLs ended his season.  Charlie Frye, not JaMarcus Russell, will take over this week in Denver.  Oakland also signed UFL standout JP Losman to take Gradkowski’s roster spot.   After Gradkowski went down, Russell took the field and was resounding heckled by the Oakland faithful.  He did throw a pick, but his 10 for 16 effort was probably his best effort to date – sad as it sounds.   It’s unlikely that Matthew Stafford will return this week, leaving Daunte Culpepper to handle a very angry Arizona defense.  Keith Null’s time in St. Louis may be done.  His stat line of 157 yards, 1 TD, and 5 INTs has the Rams likely turning back to Kyle Boller this week.

RUNNING BACKS

Early Sunday, there was talk of Cedric Benson splitting carries with Larry Johnson. Benson ran 16 times for 99 yards compared to 4 yards on 3 carries from LJ, so that appears to have been just a lot of talk – nothing more.  Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson combined for 183 rushing yards on 32 carries against the Chiefs.  The Browns will try to replicate the feat against KC using Chris Jennings and Jerome Harrison.  Starting any Cleveland player is risky, but Jennings can provide some flex value.  Kevin Smith is done for the year leaving Maurice Morris as the starting tailback.   Owners need to avoid the situation completely.  Quinton Ganther produced a glowing debut as Washington’s primary back.  He racked up 93 combined yards and 2 TDs against the Raiders.  He faces the Giants this week, and, although the defensive unit has slipped a bit, they are 9^th versus the run.  LaDainian Tomlinson produced a pitiful 2.4 rushing average, but found the end zone again.  He still has value, just not the top-tier production he has displayed in the past.  Arian Foster’s 13 carry, 34-yard effort was less than desirable, but Gary Kubiak has indicated that he will see more work this week.  It’s a very favorable matchup against the Rams, but you have to have some serious guts to start him as a RB2 in the playoffs.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandon Marshall broke Terrell Owens’ single-game record with 21 receptions in a loss against the Colts.  He was targeted an amazing 28 times hauling in 200 yards and 2 TDs as the Broncos had to go pass-heavy to keep pace with Indy..  It was the right place and right time for Marshall's owners as his record-setting performance certainly propelled them into the next round of the playoffs.  Vincent Jackson finally broke out of his slump catching 7 passes for 120 yards in a 20-17 win over Dallas.  It’s hard to predict whether defenses will focus on Gates or Jackson on a week-to-week basis, but, unless your team is stacked, you’re starting them.  They face Cincinnati’s 12^th ranked passing defense this week.  With Devin Hester sidelined, Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu turned in decent fantasy efforts.  Knox grabbed 5 balls for 83 yards and a TD while Aromashodu hauled in 8 passes for 76 yards and a score.  Hester’s status is up in the air for this week’s game against Baltimore.  Even if he’s out this Sunday, it’s hard to imagine repeated success.  DeSean Jackson returned from a one game absence with a concussion to rack up 178 yards and a TD against the Giants.  Dwayne Bowe will return this week after a 4-game suspension.  He was practicing with the first team and has a favorable matchup versus Kansas City’s 25^th ranked pass defense.

TIGHT ENDS

Kevin Boss made 7 catches for 70 yards and a 1 TD in a loss to Philadelphia.  The Eagles have some trouble covering opposing tight end, so Vernon Davis should see a fair amount of opportunity.  Be aware that weather forecasts are showing a good chance of snow in Philly.  Dallas Clark hauled in 5 catches for just 43 yards – but he scored 3 TDs.  One way or another he finds a way to post fantasy points.  Never play poker with a man named after a city, and don’t forget about him near the end zone.  Fred Davis only made 3 catches, but scored 2 TDs.  Cleveland’s Evan Moore made 2 grabs for 34 yards, but was targeted 6 times.  Considering the matchups, both Davis and Moore can be low-end starters if you are really stuck.