This post is for you, the fantasy football die hard. While 75% of the fantasy footballers out there have been eliminated or have just lost interest and given up, you are still hanging tough. I applaud you.

Welcome to week 17. One of the most difficult weeks to predict because of all the the players resting for playoff games and/or young players getting looks. But, if you closely and do your homework there is some great value out there.

Lets take a look at some of the players on my radar screen this week.

Start’em if you got’em
Kenny Watson RB (CIN) - He looked great last week and I think you can plug him in again this week against one of the NFL’s worst rushing defenses. De De Dorsey won’t be around to steal carries since he is done for the season and the odds are very good that Rudi Johnson won’t be either. Look for 125 and a touchdown or two.

Final stats: 69 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: Looks like the Bengals just wanted to throw the ball around.

Washington defense - The redskins defense is a very solid start this weekend when you consider the fact that the chances are very good that they could be playing against Brad Johnson. Brad doesn’t have a very strong arm, holds the ball too long and is about as mobile as a rock. To me that screams sacks and interceptions especially when you consider how motivated the Skins will be to secure a playhoffs spot in front of their own fans. Look for 4 sacks, 14 points allowed, two picks, a fumble and a score.

Final stats: 6 points allowed, 2 sacks, 1 turnover.
Final thoughts: Romo played longer than I expected and the Skins crushed the Cowboys in time of possession 37:08 to 22:52 so the D didn’t have many opportunities.

LaDainian Tomlinson RB (SD) - This may seem like a no-brainer to some but I bet some of you are a little worried about how much he’ll play. Don’t be. He made in clear in a press conference that he has every intention of winning the rushing title this year. Also, the Chargers still need to win to hold onto the higher seed and avoid a hot Jacksonville team. All that and he gets a horrible Raiders rushing defense. Put him in and put him down for 125 and 2 touchdowns.

Final stats: 16 for 56 yards rushing, 1 catch for 7 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: Half hearted play perhaps?

Sit’em if you’ve got em
Antonio Gates TE (SD) - As I said above, I think that the Chargers will be playing to win, but, I don’t think you can trust Antonio this week. He hasn’t been playing the greatest lately and his back is giving him problems. I can see the Chargers using him sparingly just to make sure he is good to go next week in the playoffs. I’m thinking 2 catches 25 yards.

Final stats: 6 for 62.
Final thoughts: Who knew?

Reggie Bush RB (NO) - Even if he does play I’m not so sure you should trust him in your line-up. Not only would he be susceptible to re-injuring his knee out in the cold and besides the Saints are just to inconsistent this year anyway. Oh and lets not forget about the Bears. They have been playing iffy against the run this year but they are pretty jacked up after last weeks lopsided win against Green Bay. What else could be better than smashing the Saints playoff hopes. If he plays 35 yards rushing 0 touchdowns, 5 catches 45 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Final stats: DNP
Final thoughts: How about Pierre Thomas? Damn!

Sleepers: don’t be surprised if…
…Michael Pittman RB (TB) plays a majority of the game - while Chucky rests Graham - and has a solid day against the Panthers this Sunday. Carolina gives up 110 a week versus the run. I say he goes for 90 and a touchdown.

Final stats: 12 yards.
Final thoughts: Oh yeah, Michael Bennett is on the team too.

…Cleo Lemon QB (MIA) is able to put up some decent numbers against a Bengals team that is allowing has allowed 27 touchdowns through the air this year. Looking for someone to plug in this week he’s your man. If figure 250 passing with at least two touchdowns.

Final stats: 123 yards and 1 TD.
Final thoughts: Looks like Beck half the snaps. He had 135, a TD throw and a TD run. Add that to Lemons stats and I am pretty close. Too bad it doesn’t work that way. I just love week seventeen.

…Darrell Jackson WR (SF) has a decent game versus a Cleveland defense that is has allows 240 yards per game and has given up a whopping 28 touchdowns through the air. Since Shaun Hill has taken over, Darrell has had a game with 8 catches for 86 yards and another game with a touchdown. Look for him to accomplish both this weekend if the weather holds up.

Final stats: 3 catches for 28 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: I would have changed my mind had I known Weinke would be starting but he did get the TD.

Also, if you are participating in any post season fantasy football, be sure to stop back early next week. I will be putting together some rankings and analysis to help you better your chances for success. I love playing post season fantasy football so it will be fun.

Here’s your last chance, if you haven’t already, to check out RotoHog.com because it is not too late to sign up, pick a great team for this week and win some of the great prizes (like 30 gig iPods). Best of all you get to see how fun it is to play, so when next year starts, you can hit the ground running and go for the big prize (this year it is $100,000…I’m 69 overall).

I just figured you might want to use your fantasy skills to win a little more before the season is over. See if you can outscore me this week. Sign up for RotoHog now!

As always, that is not all my friend. There are a few other stops you should make before finalizing your starting lineup.

First, make sure you stop by and see how the Fantasy Football Librarian can help you. Every week she posts all of the start’em sit’em articles, player ranking posts and waiver wire lists that she can find so that you don’t have to hunt for them yourself. Check her out and tell her the Goat says hi.

Second, you can get more in-depth NFL player projections throughout the week by checking out the Bruno Boys website over on MVN.com.

Third, be on the lookout for the weekly fantasy football start’em sit’em podcast I co-host with Marc Caviglia.

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