The playoffs are either upon us or one week away in the majority of fantasy football leagues. With this in mind, Fantasy FanHouse is examining what you can expect from the fantasy relevant players on each team. Arizona Cardinals
The opposing defenses: vs. STL (22nd against pass, 30th against run), vs. MIN (21st against pass, 2nd against run), at NE (16th against pass, 14th against run)
The skinny: They are a monstrous fantasy machine at home. The Lambs will pose no threat whatsoever, especially with the Cards coming off two straight losses and extra time to mull over the Thanksgiving embarrassment. Start everyone feasible. In the next one, the Vikes won't allow them to run, but the pass will be open all day again. It's gonna be a tough game heading East in Week 16, but if you make the championship, you'll likely have to stick with your Arizona Air boys. Still sit Hightower in Foxboro, though.
The must-starts: Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin
The likely start: Steve Breaston
The spot-start: Tim Hightower
The no-starts: J.J. Arrington, Edgerrin James, Leonard Pope
The D/ST: It's worth it to test them against the Rams at home, but after that I'd avoid at all costs. For the most part -- Cowboys game excepted -- they haven't done anything against good teams.
San Francisco 49ers
The opposing defenses: vs. NYJ (30th against pass, 4th against run), at MIA (26th against pass, 11th against run), at STL (22nd against pass, 30th against run)
The skinny: It's really tough to recommend sitting Frank Gore, but he's not a sure thing. He's had two bad weeks in a row, and now four of the last six were no better than average for a fantasy starter. With two good run defenses before the hapless Rams, you very well might have better options until the championship. There are, however, bad pass defenses everywhere.
The must-start: None
The likely starts: Frank Gore, Isaac Bruce
The spot-starts: Shaun Hill, Jason Hill, Joe Nedney
The no-start: Josh Morgan, Vernon Davis (it's just too risky), Bryant Johnson
The D/ST: No way to trust them in the next two weeks. They might be intriguing in a visit to St. Louis come Week 16, but let's see what happens. In the meantime, do not bother looking at them for help.
Seattle Seahawks
The opposing defenses: vs. NE (16th against pass, 14th against run), at STL (22nd against pass, 30th against run), vs. NYJ (30th against pass, 4th against run)
The skinny: Even the return of their quarterback has done nothing to make this offense -- or team, for that matter -- productive. I really doubt you are in position to participate in the fantasy playoffs if any of these guys plays a prominent role on your squad.
The must-start: None
The likely start: None
The spot-start: John Carlson
The no-start: Julius Jones, Matt Hasselbeck, Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Maurice Morris, Olindo Mare
The D/ST: Oh. Please. God. No.
St. Louis Rams
The opposing defenses: at ARI (t17th against pass, 13th against run), vs. SEA (32nd against pass, 22nd against run), vs. SF (28th against pass, 16th against run)
The skinny: They are mostly in the same boat as the Seahawks, with one glaring exception: The Rams sport a superstar. A fantasy superstar. Steven Jackson has missed tons of time this season, but he's now back on the field. He's been a monster in the playoffs throughout his career as a starter, and he won't face any juggernaut-type run defenses. As far as the passing game? It's tough to trust them, but maybe the balance of having Jackson on the field is enough to get some in your lineup against the Seahawks pathetic pass defense. You'd still have to be in a really deep league or have a terrible receiving corps.
The must-start: Steven Jackson
The likely start: None
The spot-starts: Torry Holt, Donnie Avery, Josh Brown
The no-starts: Marc Bulger, Antonio Pittman, Dane Looker
The D/ST: Worse than Seattle.
