What a game it was to see the Saints’ stomp all over the Patriots in all phases of the game. Drew Brees headlined a monumental victory that has now officially landed New Orleans on the map of true elite football teams.

As for Tom Brady and the Patriots, I haven’t given up hope for them to make a playoff run but the defense needs to step it up.

Below we have a short right up on the top ten teams on our power rankings for this season. These teams are important to know as they are playing well and should continue to help fantasy teams.

Furthermore, pay attention to the worst teams on the list as they are the teams you want to have your players going against down the stretch.

1. Saints (11-0)

After a huge decisive win against the New England Patriots the Saints are now a top our NFL Power Rankings once again. Drew Brees probably won the MVP award after he blasted the Patriots’ defense for five touchdowns and 371 yards passing on only 23 pass attempts!

This was an amazing performance and is one of those games that will be looked back on for a long time when people mention Brees and the Saints from this era. Look for New Orleans to roll over the Redskins next week and move to twelve and zero.

2. Colts (11-0)

The Colts haven’t won games in a pretty fashion the last month or so but they have won all their games. The Saints were this way until they stomped on the Patriots in a big time national televised game.

This up coming week the Colts will host the Titans in a big time clash of two strong teams. Look for the Colts to find a way to pull out another close victory.

3. Vikings (10-1)

It’s almost hard to remember the Steelers actually beating this team because the Vikings have played so well since that game. I actually had to look back at the schedule just to remember who actually beat this great team from Minnesota.

The Steelers had a few lucky turnovers and won the game in the fourth quarter, and I would suspect that is the only way a team can beat this squad. The Vikings are firing on all cylinders and are taking no prisoner’s.

Expect them to beat the Cardinals in Arizona this weekend by a decent margin.

4. Chargers (8-3)

This is a team I truly thought would never reach the top five teams in the NFL power rankings after the first month of play. Since losing to the Broncos in week six the Chargers haven’t lost a game and are winning in convincing fashion.

I fully expect them to smash the Browns next week in Cleveland. Get your fantasy football players in for that game.

5. Bengals (8-3)

After a quick dip to the Raiders two weeks ago the Bengals polished off the Browns at home. With Cedric Benson out the team turned to Bernard Scott and Larry Johnson to put the game away.

Both running backs had strong games and Johnson ran for over 100 yards. This week Benson is back and Scott has turf toe, so expect the Bengals to run Johnson and Benson together. There is no reason they shouldn’t beat the Lions this weekend.

6. Cowboys (8-3)

The Cowboys need to beat the Giants this weekend if they are going to win their division. Dallas has already lost to the Giants this year, and if they lose this game, they will only be one win better than the Giants.

That means if the Giants should mount a comeback and have the same record as Dallas than they will win the division. Look for the Cowboys to run the football and control the clock on the road.

7. Patriots (7-4)

Watching the Patriots get rolled over by the Saints only goes to show you that this team does not have the defense to be a Super Bowl team right now. I will never put it past this organization to put a run together in the playoffs but right now they are not a top five team in the NFL power rankings.

8. Cardinals (7-4)

The Cardinals lost a heart breaker to the Titans without Kurt Warner on the field. This weekend they may be without Warner again as they take on the Vikings at home. If the Cardinals lose this week and the 49ers win, than next week will be a huge game between the two in San Francisco.

It’s still a long shot for the 49ers to win the division, but if they do beat the Cardinals next week they will have the season sweep against them. If both teams comedown to a tie in record at the end than the 49ers would win the division in that scenario.

9. Eagles (7-4)

The Eagles pulled out a win against the lonely Redskins, but they had to do it in comeback fashion. In that game DeSean Jackson suffered a concussion and may miss this weeks tilt against the Falcons in Atlanta.

Even if Jackson is out I expect the Eagles to win the game with Matt Ryan and Michael Turner likely out.

10. Broncos (7-4)

The Broncos were able to stop their four game skid on Thanksgiving against Giants and won in convincing fashion. It looks like quarterback Kyle Orton is back and healthy as he had no problems finding his receivers all game long.

Expect the Broncos to make quick work of the Chiefs this weekend in Kansas City.

• 11. Packers (7-4)
• 12. Ravens (6-5)
• 13. Steelers (6-5)
• 14. Titans (5-6)
• 15. Giants (6-5)
• 16. Jaguars (6-5)
• 17. Falcons (6-5)
• 18. Texans (5-6)
• 19. 49ers (5-6)
• 20. Dolphins (5-6)
• 21. Jets (5-6)
• 22. Seahawks (5-6)
• 23. Panthers (4-7)
• 24. Bears (4-7)
• 25. Bills (4-7)
• 26. Chiefs (3-8)
• 27. Redskins (3-8)
• 28. Raiders (2-9)
• 29. Lions (2-9)
• 30. Buccaneers (1-10)
• 31. Browns (1-10)
• 32. Rams (1-10)

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

In a huge battle for the Saints to remain undefeated quarterback Drew Brees played his best game on a national stage. On the other side of the football, Tom Brady was held down to under 250 yards passing and zero touchdowns.

Drew Brees Leads Saints to Victory

The Saints ran the Patriots out of the gym in this game as Brees was a man possessed with his precision and dominant play. For the game, Brees was 18 of 23 passing for 371 yards and five touchdown passes.

This was an amazing stat line for anyone in any game but for Brees to do this on the big stage and on only 23 attempts was amazing. It’s time for the NFL to hold Brees a MVP trophy as he is clearly the best player in the NFL this year.

From a fantasy football perspective, this game led many fantasy teams into the playoffs as Brees put up a tone of points in this game.

Look for the Saints to continue their winning ways next week against the Redskins.

Brady Has Off Game

This was not Brady and the Patriots’ night from the get go as they struggled to get the ball in the end zone.

For the game Brady was intercepted twice and had zero touchdowns in the game. Beyond this performance, Brady was pulled from the game with about five minutes left. I can’t remember the last time Brady has been pulled from a game, but it’s been a long, long time.

Expect the Patriots to bounce back next week when they face the Dolphins in Miami.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

The Broncos started out fast but the Redskins battled back and pulled the upset victory out for the home town fans. The victory was led by starting running back Ladell Betts, who ran for over 100 yards.

Ladell Betts Runs Well

This week there were concerns that Betts wouldn’t even play in this game because of a bad ankle. Instead of missing the game Betts thrived as he carried the football 26 times for 114 yards and a touchdown run.

This was a driving force in the Redskins comeback win against the Broncos.

Look for Betts to continue to start for the Redskins as Clinton Portis will be out for at least a few more weeks with a concussion problem. Next week Betts and the Redskins will play the Cowboys, and he should be a decent play in that game.

Brandon Marshall Scores Twice

On Brandon Marshall’s first two receptions, he had two touchdowns and 115 yards receiving. Unfortunately, for the Broncos Marshall only totaled 19 yards the rest of the game.

It was nice to see the Broncos have a few plays down the field but at the end of the day they dropped their third game.

If they lose next week against the Chargers they will fall out of first place. This would be the second year in a row that the Broncos gave up an early lead in the standings to the Chargers later in the season.

Hopefully, the team will have quarterback Kyle Orton ready for this important game. Orton was seen leaving the stadium on crutches because of a bad ankle.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

Before the eighth week of the fantasy football season if you told me Michael Turner was a bust I would’ve agreed. Even though Turner had seven touchdowns in his first six games of the year he wasn’t running worth a darn.

Not only did Turner have a very low yard per carry average, but he didn’t seem to have the burst that gave him the nickname Burner.

When I watched the Falcons play the Cowboys and third running back Jason Snelling looked faster than Turner, I started to think his workload from a year ago hurt him bad.

The Turn Around

Week eight the Falcons played the Saints and Turner ripped into their defense for 151 yards rushing on twenty carries and had a touchdown. This performance was a complete 180 from the runner I saw just eight days before.

In this game Turner showed the power and speed from a year ago as he punished the Saints continually.

Last week against the Redskins Turner put the Burners back on and smoked Washington for 166 yards on eighteen carries and scored two long touchdowns.

The final exclamation point to me that showed Turner was back was one his last touchdown run of the game. On that 58-yard touchdown scamper Turner burst through the hole and went head on with Redskins safety Laron Landry.

Landry just dropped to the ground hoping that he would slow down Turner. This safety truly wanted nothing to do with Turner coming straight at him. Turner meet Landry’s pathetic attempt for a tackle and jumped over him and ran the rest of the way for the score.

Not only has Turner shown his burst of speed, but he’s also striking fear in the hearts of safety’s and corners that are coming his way.

It All Starts Up Front

Any NFL fan has heard the saying, “it all starts up front.” Those words may be over used at times, but they are so very true.

If your front line on offense or defense isn’t strong than the rest of the squad will play below their abilities.

A big part of Turner’s turnaround is that his offensive line is doing a great job in run blocking. This couldn’t be said in the weeks leading up to this surge of production.

All of a sudden, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey decided to try a few different things in the run blocking scheme and man has it worked.

The o-line is blowing holes open for Turner on a regular basis and if this continues Turner will be a monster down the stretch.

Fantasy Football Ranking for Michael Turner

It’s about time to crown Turner as one of the top five running backs in fantasy football. Sure, Turner was the second to fifth pick in just about all fantasy drafts this year, but he didn’t play that way early on.

Now Turner has the burst of speed back and should be a great help for fantasy owners to make it to the playoffs and win championships.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

As we move into week ten for the NFL football season there are still two teams that are undefeated and atop the NFL power rankings. Outside of the Colts and Saints fabulous starters we still have other teams like the Vikings, Patriots, Steelers and even Bengals that are closing in the rankings.

Below we have a short right up on the top ten teams on our power rankings for this season. These teams are important to know as they are playing well and should continue to help fantasy teams.

Furthermore, pay attention to the worst teams on the list as they are the teams you want to have your players going against down the stretch.

1. Saints (8-0)

Drew Brees and the Saints are still winning ball games but the last three weeks they’ve been close to losing.

Looking past this teams recent struggles it is easy to see they are vastly improved from last year. The big turnaround for this team is when they picked up defensive coordinator Greg Williams.

His impact on the defense has given them respectability on that side of the football. Not to mention fantasy football relevance.

2. Colts (8-0)

Peyton Manning and the Colts’ offense have slowed down in touchdown production the past two weeks. If they have any shot of staying undefeated this week against the Patriots, they will need to turn up the point scoring once again.

3. Vikings (7-1)

Brett Favre has made a major impact on this team as they now have balance on offense and as a team. With Favre at the helm forgotten receivers like Sidney Rice have come out of the wood work and become fantasy starting players.

As long as Favre continues to stay healthy this team will continue to roll and could be atop the NFL power rankings soon.

4. Patriots (6-2)

The Patriots’ offense has come on strong in the past three games and Tom Brady is looking better all the time. If the Colts continue their struggles in scoring offense than I fully expect the Patriots to win this weekend.

Going forward I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots’ defense gets stronger and the end up in the Super Bowl.

5. Steelers (6-2)

Sure the Bengals are 6 and 2 and have beaten the Steelers this year, but I’m still going with the champs. The Steelers proved on Monday night against the Broncos why they are still one of the best teams in football.

With the emergence of Rashard Mendenhall in the running game the Steelers can now lean on the running game when they need to. I expect them to win this weekend against the Bengals.

6. Bengals (6-2)

This season has been a pleasant surprise for the Bengals. With Cedric Benson doing his best Rudi Johnson impersonation and the defense emerging this team is ready for the playoffs.

Cincinnati has already beaten the Ravens twice this season and beat the Steelers. This week they play the Steelers in Pittsburgh, and I expect the Bengals to lose. If the Bengals do, in fact, win, they will be the clear favorite to win the AFC North.

7. Broncos (6-2)

The past two weeks have been tough for the once undefeated Denver Broncos. This weekend they should get healthy with a blowout win against the Redskins.

From a fantasy perspective, we need to see this team go down the field more often. Doing so with help fantasy football values of Kyle Orton, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal and Tony Scheffler.

8. Cowboys (6-2)

If the Cowboys can put two road wins together this weekend against the Packers I will truly believe in their turnaround. As it stands right now Dallas is the favorite to win the NFC East as they are in first place.

Miles Austin has made a major impact on this team and will be a top 15 fantasy receiver coming into next year.

9. Falcons (5-3)

Having the Falcons ranked this high is very debatable, but I just believe they are the more balanced team of all the 5 and 3 teams. With Matt Ryan’s steady play in the passing game and Michael Turner’s re-emergence, this team is rolling.

10. Cardinals (5-3)

I would have the Eagles above the Cardinals if they prove to me, they can win without the big play in the air. For a team like the Eagles to drop a game to the Raiders is just not worthy of being in the top ten teams right now.

While the Cardinals haven’t run the ball great they have proven they can win on the road this season. Because of their undefeated record on the road and solid run defense, I’m willing to give them a pass for their loss to the Panthers.

• 11. Eagles (5-3)
• 12. Chargers (5-3)
• 13. Texans (5-4)
• 14. Giants (5-4)
• 15. Ravens (4-4)
• 16. Jets ( 4-4)
• 17. Packers (4-4)
• 18. 49ers (3-5)
• 19. Dolphins (3-5)
• 20. Bears (4-4)
• 21. Jaguars (4-4)
• 22. Titans (2-6)
• 23. Seahawks (3-5)
• 24. Panthers (3-5)
• 25. Bills (3-5)
• 26. Raiders (2-6)
• 27. Chiefs (1-7)
• 28. Buccaneers (1-7)
• 29. Lions (1-7)
• 30. Redskins (2-6) Has this team given up?
• 31. Rams (1-7)
• 32. Browns (1-7)

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

The Atlanta Falcons started the season strong with a four and one record but then dropped their past two to the Cowboys and Saints. This week they needed to get back on the winning track and looked to their running game to lead the way.

Michael Turner is Officially Back

Michael Turner has put back the burner in his game as he’s been on fire the past two weeks. Against the Saints, Turner had 151 yards rushing and a touchdown on twenty carries.

This week Turner topped those totals and with fewer touches for the game. On eighteen carries Turner torched the Redskins for 166 yards rushing and two touchdowns of 30 yards or longer.

Turner now has a total for ten touchdowns in only eight games for the season and is now looking like a top fantasy running back.

Next week Turner and the Falcons take on the Panthers and Turner should have another strong game for fantasy owners.

Clinton Portis Leaves With Concussion

Redskins running back Clinton Portis left the football game in the first half with a concussion and Ladell Betts took over in his absence.

For the game Betts posted 15 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. Betts also flashed his receiving abilities with one catch for 23 yards. While Betts had a decent game for his team, I wouldn’t recommend you pick him up on your team, unless Portis misses some time.

This team has one of the worst offenses in football, and it’s hard to start anyone on this team moving forward.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

This was a big matchup for both teams as the Saints and Falcons clashed for supremacy in the NFC South. In the end, the Saints would hold onto win the football game but the Falcons gave them everything they could handle.

Michael Turner Turns on the Burners

Fantasy football owners with Michael Turner have waited for him to breakout all season. While Turner had seven touchdowns coming into this game he really only had one big week against the 49ers before this contest.

For the game Turner rushed for over 150 yards on only twenty carries and posted another touchdown. What was nice to see from Turner was that he consistently broke of long runs from the start of the game to the end.

This performance was a great sign for Turner’s chances to have a strong second half of the fantasy season.

Hopefully, Turner can continue his strong performance next week against the struggling Redskins.

Pierre Thomas Breaks Out

The past few weeks have puzzled fantasy football owners with Pierre Thomas on their teams.
Thomas has failed to produce and the team seems to be content with running Mike Bell, Reggie Bush and Thomas as a three man committee.

In this contest Thomas scored on the ground and through the air. He also had more than 90 yards rushing.

This is the kind of production fantasy owners need from Thomas going forward if they are to make it to the playoffs.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

This week’s waiver wire pickups are all about bust franchise quarterback coming back and playing well. Vince Young and Alex Smith have had their share of problems in the past but now both have a new opportunity to prove themselves. Not only are both quarterbacks receiving an opportunity, but they are both producing for their teams. Below we have the top players you might want to pay attention to, for waiver pickups. Even if you don’t select a waiver (or have already done so) it’s good to keep these names in mind for the future weeks.

Quarterbacks

Titans- Vince Young

Now that Vince Young as the starting job and has a win under his belt it is safe to pick him up off the waiver wire. Young may not have that bad of a second half of the fantasy season if the head coach Jeff Fisher opens up the offense.

With receivers like Justin Gage, Nate Washington and Kenny Britt, Young now has good weapons in the receiving core. This is different than when Young used to be the quarterback in years past.

49ers- Alex Smith

Former top pick Alex Smith is back and looking better than ever before. Smith also has added fantasy value now that Vernon Davis is the stud tight end the 49ers drafted him to be a few years ago.

Not to also add that rookie Michael Crabtree appears to be the real deal as he followed up his good debut against the Texans with an eight catch performance last week.

If Smith can get his career started again it would be a very nice story.

Running Backs

Texans- Ryan Moats

Last week Steve Slaton went into the dog house for good as he fumbled once again in the first quarter against the Bills. This was the fifth game that Slaton had lost a fumble this season and head coach Gary Kubiak had seen enough.

After Slaton was benched Ryan Moats got into the game and had a great performance. For the game Moats had 126 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Moats may not be a starting fantasy football running back right now but fantasy owners should stash him away.

Chiefs- Jamaal Charles

Larry Johnson will be out for at least this week, and we will have to see if he retains his starting job when he comes back. For this week Jamaal Charles isn’t a bad play against the Jaguars’ defense that gave up two long touchdown runs and over 200 rushing yards to Chris Johnson.

Charles is a speedster like Johnson and can take it the distance if he finds a crease.

Raiders- Justin Fargas

While it’s hard to recommend anyone on the Raiders sorry offense for fantasy football, I do believe Justin Fargas has earned a roster spot. Darren McFadden won’t be back with the team for awhile and fellow runner Michael Bush has struggled.

In the past two weeks Fargas hasn’t run that bad and last week he plunged in a touchdown score. If you need a pinch starter, Fargas could be serviceable.

Wide Receivers

Chargers- Malcom Floyd

On Monday the Chargers released veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers and will now move Malcom Floyd into official starting line up. Floyd has been coming on in recent weeks and makes for a solid fantasy pickup.

49ers- Michael Crabtree

I recommended fantasy football owners grab Michael Crabtree up and stash him away last week. This week if you can still get Crabtree on your team, I suggest you nab him up right away.

This kid is the real deal, and he is worth starting in PPR fantasy leagues right now.

Tight Ends

Redskins- Fred Davis

After the Redskins past game against the Eagles it was reported that tight end Chris Cooley would be done for the season. Cooley now is saying that he thinks he might be able to play in a month.

While that may be wishful thinking, I do believe you should pickup Redskins new starting tight end Fred Davis as a replacement. Davis may not be a very good blocker, but he is a solid pass catcher.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

As if things were not bad enough for the Washington Redskins, they lost their top target in tight end Chris Cooley for the season. Cooley broke his foot in the Skins Monday night loss to the Eagles.

Fred Davis Steps In

Once Cooley was done for the game second year tight end (from USC) Fred Davis took over and had a good game. For the night, Davis totaled eight catches for 78 yards and a garbage time touchdown.

Fortunately, for the Redskins Davis showed them a lot of promise as they desperately need someone to fill Cooley’s shoes.

From a fantasy football perspective Davis is worth a look if you had Cooley on your team.

Someone will have to catch the football on this poor offense and Davis could be the man that produces for them.

Brian Westbrook Goes Down

Early in the game Eagles running back Brian Westbrook went down with a concussion and was done for the game. This injury actually knocked out Westbrook as he was laying on the ground for a decent amount of time.

Given that the Eagles are on a short week before the play their next game, I can’t imagine he will start. This would be totally irresponsible by the Eagles to put a guy in with this kind of concussion on less than a weeks rest.

Look for LeSean McCoy to get the start this week against the Giants. McCoy impressed his teammates and coaches this offseason but he has failed to do much this year.

If you need a starter this week as a bye week fill in you could do much worse than McCoy.

DeSean Jackson Takes Flight

The Eagles No.1 receiver DeSean Jackson only touched the ball three times on offense but he had two big time touchdowns. The first one was a 67-yard touchdown run on a reverse and the second was a bomb down field from Donovan McNabb.

Jackson is playing like a top ten fantasy receiver this year and I expect him to keep it up. His only weakness is that he’s not a good touchdown maker inside the red zone, but he’s hitting the deep ball enough to be feared by all opponents.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

Last week Carson Palmer made me look like a fool after he chucked five touchdowns against the Bears. The week before Palmer failed to produce against the Texans and left fantasy owners (like me) in the ditch.

While it was good to see that Palmer produced, he still isn’t attacking down the field as all his touchdowns were inside the 15 yard line.

This week the Bengals, Steelers, Chiefs, Patriots, Buccaneers and Redskins are all on bye weeks and fantasy owners will be in need of production.

Below we have our top border line players at different positions that are worth starting and worth sitting for the eighth week of the NFL fantasy football season.

Start’Em

Quarterbacks

• Tony Romo vs Seahawks
• Matt Ryan @ Saints
• Brett Favre @ Packers
• Jay Cutler vs Browns
  

Running Backs

• Kevin Smith vs Rams
• Matt Forte vs Browns (He has to produce in this one right?)
• Joseph Addai vs 49ers (Donald Brown was injured against the Rams)
• Ricky Williams vs Jets

Wide Receivers

• Miles Austin vs Seahawks (Start every week)
• Devin Hester vs Browns
• Donnie Avery @ Lions
• Sidney Rice @ Packers

Tight Ends

• Vernon Davis @ Colts
• Greg Olsen vs Browns
• Visanthe Shaincoe @ Packers

Kickers

• Nate Kaeding vs Raiders
• Kris Brown @ Bills

Defense/ ST

• Chargers vs Raiders
• Bears vs Browns (If Tommy Harris is out again Sit them)

Sit’Em

Quarterbacks

• Kyle Orton @ Ravens
• Joe Flacco vs Broncos
• Jake Delhomme @ Cardinals (Career is probably Over)

Running Backs

• Knowshon Moreno @ Ravens
• Julius Jones @ Cowboys

Wide Receivers

• Steve Smith (Car) @ Cardinals ( If you have WR’s that are performing)
• Bernard Berrian @ Packers (Sidney Rice is taking over)

Tight End

• John Carlson @ Cowboys (What have you done lately)
• Daunte Rosario @ Cardinals (Injured)

Defense/ ST

• 49ers @ Colts
• Jets vs Dolphins

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com