Last week was definitely a weird one in the world of fantasy football. Players like Bernard Scott and Jason Snelling came out of the wood work and helped fantasy owners win crucial games down the stretch of the season.

We even saw a flash from the past as players like Ricky Williams and Chris Chambers help lead their teams to victory.

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. Colts (10-0)

The Colts made it out of Baltimore with another victory but just barely as they won the game 17 to 15. This up coming week the Colts will travel to Houston to take on the Texans. The last time these two teams played in Indianapolis the Colts won a close game.

Look for the Texans to give the Colts everything they can handle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they win.

2. Saints (10-0)

The Saints beat the Buccaneers for their tenth win of the season. Next week they will play the Patriots on Monday night, and I believe they will lose that game.

Fortunately the Saints will get back key players on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Drew Brees should have a huge fantasy football scoring day against the Patriots as the game will be a scoring extravaganza.

3. Vikings (9-1)

If it wasn’t for the Saints and Colts being undefeated the Vikings would be on the top of our list of the power rankings. This team is strong in just about every category and this team should have home field advantage in the NFC when the regular season is over.

With Brett Favre playing on top of his game and Adrian Peterson in the backfield the Vikings should roll to the super bowl.

4. Patriots (7-3)

The Patriots bounced back strong after losing to the Colts at the last minute. This week they should put up a big scoring game against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

Look for Brady, Moss and Welker to have big days as the Patriots need to put up a lot of points to win in New Orleans.

5. Chargers (7-3)

Since losing to the Broncos in week six the Chargers have won their last five games. Just when you thought this team was down for the count with a bad offensive line, a defense that couldn’t stop the run and LT not playing up to his standards, they turn it all around.

Expect the Chargers to win the AFC West and probably finish in the AFC with the third or fourth best record.

6. Bengals (7-3)

After two big division wins the Bengals dropped a disappointing game to the Raiders in Oakland. This week they will come back home and play their final game in their division for the regular season against the Browns.

Look for Bernard Scott to continue as the starting tail back if Cedric Benson is out for this week. Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco should have strong games.

7. Cardinals (7-3)

The Cardinals are moving past the Cowboys in our NFL power rankings more because Dallas has played that bad than the Cardinals have played that good. Last week the Cardinals held on to beat the Rams without Kurt Warner, but it wasn’t pretty.

It looks like Warner will be a go this week against the Titans and that is good because they wouldn’t win this game without him.

8. Cowboys (7-3)

This season has been a major up and down year for the Cowboys’ passing game. All of a sudden, defense are putting their top corner on Miles Austin, and he is having problems beating coverage.

If the Cowboys’ struggle on Thanksgiving against the Raiders I wouldn’t be surprised.

9. Steelers (6-4)

The Steelers lost a gimmy game against the Chiefs and one has to think it’s because they failed to dominate in the running game. Rashard Mendenhall is a capable running back but if the Steelers don’t start showing a need to run the ball they will lose more games like this past week to the Chiefs.

Sooner or later the Steelers will have to run the ball to either keep Ben Roethlisberger healthy or because Roethlisberger is knock out and injured.

10. Eagles (6-4)

The Eagles make it back to the top ten teams on our NFL power rankings because the Broncos are backsliding into outer space.

This past week the Eagles won a hard hitting road game and proved they could run the football when they needed to. Running the ball is very important for all teams in the NFL and now that the Eagles have shown success under pressure it should help open up the deep ball again.

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

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

Beyond all the blowout wins this week we actually have a few notable players that broke out in a big way. Players like Michael Crabtree, Shonne Greene, Miles Austin and Cedric Benson all had strong days.

In Crabtree’s case, I was amazed to see a rookie receiver come in and not just catch five passes but play almost every snap. Crabtree’s success is a testament to his conditioning and studying when he was on his own.

Below I have some observations from the seventh week of the regular season and how I see those points of interest playing out from a fantasy perspective.

2009 NFL Regular Season Week Seven

• Texans vs 49ers
• Steelers vs Vikings
• Bengals vs Bears
• Cowboys vs Falcons
• Saints vs Dolphins
• Jets vs Raiders
• Cardinals vs Giants

Regular Season First Six Weeks

• Week One
• Week Two
• Week Three
• Week Four
• Week Five
• Week Six
  

Fantasy Football Regular Season Week Seven Notes:

Shonn Greene a Hot Waiver Pickup

This weekend Jets’ rookie running back Shonn Greene saw his fantasy football value sky rocket with Leon Washington breaking his fibula. Washington went down in the game and is already declared done for the rest of the season.

Greene got the opportunity to back up Thomas Jones in this game and didn’t disappoint as he rumbled for 144 yards on 19 carries. Beyond the very impressive yardage numbers from the rookie, he also found the end zone twice.

This running back is a very hot waiver pickup as he will now be active in the Jets’ offense every week.

Austin Goes Wild

For the game Austin had six receptions for 171 yards receiving and two touchdowns. No doubt, Austin is now the true No. 1 receiver on this team and is a scary fantasy football receiver to face.

Look for the Cowboys to continue to make a drive for a wild card spot as they have a good team. This game was a big one for Dallas as they needed to show they could beat a good opponent.

Next week they play the Seahawks at home and should roll to an easy win.

Running Like a Beast

Benson had his revenge on the Bears as he carried the football and amazing 37 times for 189 yards and a touchdown. This was a complete blowout by the Bengals as they crushed the Bears 45 to 10.

Not only did Benson have a great game but quarterback Carson Palmer also had a solid performance as well. On the day Palmer had five touchdown passes as the Bengals had it going from the first quarter to the fourth quarter.

Now, the Bengals are 5-2 and are still a top the AFC Central. After their bye week in week eight they have to play the Ravens and Steelers again.

We will see if they can produce wins against these competitive teams once again this season.

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

This was the game Cedric Benson has been waiting for ever since he was released from the Chicago Bears in the offseason of 2008. This season Benson has been one of the best running backs in football and was bound to show the Bears up this week.

Running Like a Beast

Benson had his revenge on the Bears as he carried the football and amazing 37 times for 189 yards and a touchdown. This was a complete blowout by the Bengals as they crushed the Bears 45 to 10.

Not only did Benson have a great game but quarterback Carson Palmer also had a solid performance as well. On the day Palmer had five touchdown passes as the Bengals had it going from the first quarter to the fourth quarter.

Now, the Bengals are 5-2 and are still a top the AFC Central. After their bye week in week eight they have to play the Ravens and Steelers again.

We will see if they can produce wins against these competitive teams once again this season.

Devin Hester is For Real

It’s more than time to say that Devin Hester is a legit fantasy football receiver to have on your team and start. This week Hester had another strong day with eight catches for 101 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Look for Hester to remain Jay Cutler’s top target in the passing game as he is the best receiver on the team.

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

The Cardiac Cats took on Matt Schaub and the Texans this week in a big matchup for both teams. While the Bengals got a lot of hype coming into the game it was the Texans that would end up the winner.

Carson Palmer not a Fantasy Starter

While the Bengals are having a solid season, Carson Palmer is not having one of his better statistical years. It was clear to see in this game that the Bengals did not want to abandon the running game and Cedric Benson.

Even when the team was down by eleven points early in the 4th quarter, they continued to try and get the running game going. If a fantasy quarterback is worth his salt you want him throwing the football at that point.

Until we see the Bengals passing attack used more aggressively, I would keep Palmer on your bench or cut him all together.

Texans Go Off

Andre Johnson and running back Steve Slaton both went over 100 yards receiving in this game. While it is always impressive to have two players go over a 100 yards in a game, Schaub’s 392 passing yards and 4 touchdowns top those efforts.

It’s clear to see that the Texans are going to be a full on passing team for this entire season. The running game struggled again as Slaton was benched in the fourth quarter for fumbling the football.

Expect the Texans to lean on their quarterback to win football games from here on out.

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

Let’s face it, it has been awhile since we could say nice things about the Bengals and their winning ways. Sure, it wasn’t that long ago that Cincinnati went to the playoffs (2005) but it feels like a long time.

This year, the new Cardiac Cats are putting away the demons in the closet and having one of their finest starts in franchise history.

This surge has been led with the strong play from Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco, the defense and Andre Caldwell’s timely touchdowns.

Who Dey No.1 Receivers

While there was talk that the Bengals defense was getting better this summer, I just didn’t believe they would be strong this season.

So far, the Bengals defense is having a fine season and for my money corner back Jonathan Joseph has all but wrote his ticket to the Pro Bowl this season.

Joseph has been leading the charge in shutting down top receivers all season long. Receivers Greg Jennings, Braylon Edwards and Derrick Mason have been held down without a catch against the Bengals.

Joseph has also held down Santonio Holmes to one catch and in that game had an interception for a touchdown that ignited the Bengals comeback win over the Steelers.

Fellow corner Leon Hall has also tag teamed with Joseph to give this team strong coverage in the secondary.

These young men are playing out of their minds, and I will be interested to see if they can continue this strong play throughout the season.

Comeback Carson

Last season was a horrible one for Palmer. The Bengals leader was out most of the year and almost had to have Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm.

I was a little concerned that he didn’t get the surgery last year because if he had a setback this year he would miss another season.

Fortunately, it looks like the arm is doing just fine, and he is playing some very solid football.

While his fantasy football numbers haven’t been awesome he has been winning games for his team. I would expect this talented quarterback to get in a groove at some point and start putting up better stats.

Cedric Benson is a Beast

It’s time to start Benson every week in your fantasy football league. This running back is getting it done against great defenses and has provided steady fantasy production all year.

Right now, Benson is the leading rusher in the NFL, and he should continue to stay in the top five for most of the season.

Look for Benson to make a run at 1,500 yards and over 10 touchdowns this season.

Bound for the Playoffs

If the Bengals are going to make it to the playoffs, they will need their defense to stay solid. Eventually, I expect opponents to start studying this team more on film and find some weaknesses in what they are doing.

This summer I wrote at the end of my article on the Bengals regular season schedule that hopefully the team would turn it around. My main reason for this was because I didn’t want to see Palmer’s career wasted on a bad team.

So far, they have turned it around, and I will be routing for these Cardiac Cats to continue their run.

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

The Cincinnati Bengals came into this game with heavy hearts as their defensive coach lost his wife on Thursday. Before the game, the Bengal players said they were motivated to win this game for coach Zimmerman.

At the very end of the game Carson Palmer threw a touchdown and the Bengals won the game.

Cedric Benson Continues Hard Running

This season is truly the rebirth of Cedric Benson’s career as he has continued to run hard and successfully all year. In this game, Benson became the first player to go over 100 yards rushing against the Ravens since Larry Johnson a few years back.

For the game Benson ran the football 27 times and had 120 rushing yards. He also had a very nice touchdown run.

Benson should be in fantasy football lineups every week no matter the matchup.

Ray Rice Has Big Game

It’s time to say that Ray Rice is hands down the top runner for the Baltimore Ravens. For the game Rice had 69 yards rushing on only 14 carries. In the passing game, he had seven receptions for 74 yards and a very nice touchdown.

Rice is fast becoming one of the top 20 to 15 running backs in fantasy football for the 2009 season. His fantasy football ranking is even higher in PPR leagues.

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

It’s not surprising to see a team play hard in the open week for the NFL football season. Understanding this, it was not surprising to see the Bengals have a spirited effort against the Broncos to begin the season.

When the team lost the game to a heart breaking touchdown by Brandon Stokley, I figured the Bengals would start the season 0-3. On paper, it only made sense that the Bengals would struggle as they played two playoff contenders in weeks two and three.

To my surprise (and most NFL fans) the Bengals did not fold up and lose their next two games. To see this team go on the road and beat the Packers then come back home and beat the Steelers was impressive.

These victories remind me of the spirited play we saw from this organization back in 2005 when the team won the AFC Northern Division.

Turning Things Around

The Bengals poster child for their turn around from misfits to respectability has to be their feature running back Cedric Benson. This summer I considered Benson a sleeper fantasy back because he was motivated and he ran hard at the end of last season.

Not only did he seem to have a new hop in his step but he was going to be one of few runners this year that would not be in a committee running game.

Benson’s play has been very sound but probably the biggest surprise out of Cincinnati has to be the defensive play.

So for the Bengals defense is 11th overall against the run, 19th against the pass and 13th in points given up. These numbers are a great improvement over previous seasons and Marvin Lewis appears to have his guys playing strong fundamental football.

Beyond those numbers, what impresses me most is their ability to shut down the opposing teams No. 1 receiver.

Against the Packers, Greg Jennings did not even have a catch and last week Santonio Holmes only had one reception. If the defense can stay close to this production, they will be primed to go back to the playoffs.

Taking Care of Business

I will be interested to see if the Bengals put down the Browns early this weekend. I’m sure Cleveland will come out and give this team a spirited fight at home.

Derek Anderson will get the start for the Browns and if the Bengals can apply pressure, it will make for a long day for Cleveland. Anderson is not mobile and is very susceptible to giving up sacks.

If the Bengals win this game they will go to 3-1 and next week they face off against the Baltimore Ravens. That matchup could be for the early lead in the AFC North and it would be fun to see the Bengals start playing in more meaningful games.

Fantasy Football Rankings for Bengal Players

Chad Ochocinco and Cedric Benson are probably the only every week starters in fantasy from this team. Carson Palmer could be but he needs to have stronger stats than he’s posted (not counting the Packers game) so far this season.

The Bengals defense is starting to become fantasy worthy as any team that can shut down the run and the opposing teams top receiver is always intriguing.

Many defenses have bad plays this weekend and the Bengals defense would make for a sneaky play against the Browns.

If the Bengals continue to play strong than fantasy football owners will be smiling all year. Bengal players came cheep this year in fantasy football drafts and your return on investment should be strong.

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

Last week the Bengals lost a heart breaker to the Broncos at the end of the game. This week they had a tall order as they played the Packers, on the road.

Carson Palmer has Four Touchdowns

I expected to see the Bengals fold up and lose this game as they played a team that should go to the playoffs. Unfortunately, for the Packers, Carson Palmer and the Bengals were up to the task of playing good football.

Palmer spread the ball around and threw one touchdown to all three of his top receivers. Chad Ochocinco made the final touchdown catch and delivered on his promise to do the Lambeau leap.

The Bengals quarterback also added a touchdown run of his own, bringing his touchdown total for four on the day.

Cedric Benson Runs Well Again

Last week Cedric Benson had a nice running day against the Broncos and this week he was strong again. In this contest, he had 29 rushes for 141 yards rushing. Expect the Bengals to continue giving Benson the ball twenty plus times a week.

Benson is clearly the feature back on the Bengals, and it looks like he is now the runner we expected to see coming out of Texas.

This running back and the Bengals offense is in line for a very successful fantasy season.

Rodgers Sacked Six Times

Aaron Rodgers was sacked six times (5 by Antwan Odom) and if the Packers are going to make the playoffs, they need better protection. Not only did Rodgers get beat up but top receiver Greg Jennings didn’t get a reception.

Next week the Packers should get back on track against the Rams. Hopefully, fantasy owners will be happy in that game.

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

Last week Adrian Peterson was a total stud as he had 180 rushing and three touchdowns. If you used Peterson last week, it was a good game to use him for the season, as many running backs had down weeks.

While Peterson was strong other runner were more valuable this week like Thomas Jones or Julius Jones. If you happened to start either of these runners, you got great value for the one time you could use them all year.

This week a lot of big name running backs have great matchups but quarterbacks and receiver do not.

Below we have our survivor pool rankings split into three sections, and they are studs, mid range and poor plays.

We hope these survivor pool rankings help you choose those stud players you need this week for a successful start to the 2009 survivor fantasy season.

Survivor Quarterback Rankings

Studs

• Drew Brees vs @ Eagles
• Aaron Rodgers vs Bengals
• Brett Favre vs @ Lions

Mid Range

• Peyton Manning vs @ Dolphins
• Matt Hasselback vs @ 49ers
• Matt Ryan vs Panthers
• Tom Brady vs @ Jets
• Trent Edwards vs Buccaneers
• Kurt Warner vs @ Jaguars
• Tony Romo vs Giants

Poor Plays

• Ben Roethlisberger vs @ Bears
• Matt Schaub vs @ Titans
• Carson Palmer vs @ Packers
• Jay Cutler vs Steelers

Running Backs

Studs

• Adrian Peterson vs @ Lions
• Frank Gore vs Seahawks
• Clinton Portis vs Rams
• Ryan Grant vs Bengals
• Larry Johnson vs Raiders
• Maurice Jones-Drew vs Cardinals

Mid Range

• Michael Turner vs Panthers
• Brian Westbrook vs Saints
• DeAngelo Williams vs @ Falcons
• Brandon Jacobs vs @ Cowboys
• Marion Barber vs Giants
• Julius Jones vs @ 49ers
  

Poor Plays

• Cedric Benson vs @ Packers
• Matt Forte vs Steelers
• Kevin Smith vs Vikings
• LaDainian Tomlinson vs Ravens
• Steven Jackson vs @ Redskins
• Thomas Jones vs Patriots
  

Wide Receivers

Studs

• Greg Jennings vs Bengals
• Terrell Owens vs Buccaneers
• Lee Evans vs Buccaneers
• Braylon Edwards vs @ Broncos
• Santana Moss vs Rams
• Bernard Berrian vs @ Lions

Mid Range

• Calvin Johnson vs Vikings
• Marques Colston vs @ Eagles
• Roy Williams vs Giants
• Steve Smith vs @ Falcons
• Chad Ochocinco vs @ Packers
• Reggie Wayne vs @ Dolphins
• Larry Fitzgerald vs @ Jaguars
• Dwayne Bowe vs Raiders
• Randy Moss vs @ Jets

Poor Plays

• Andre Johnson vs @ Titans
• Vincent Jackson vs Ravens

Tight Ends

Studs

• John Carlson vs @ 49ers
• Chris Cooley vs Rams
• Visanthe Shancoe vs @ Lions
• Zach Miller vs @ Chiefs

Mid Range

• Jason Witten vs Giants
• Dustin Keller vs Patriots
• Jeremy Shockey vs @ Eagles
• Kellen Winslow vs @ Bills
• Dallas Clark vs @ Dolphins

Poor Plays

• Owen Daniels vs @ Titans
• Antonio Gates vs Ravens
• Ben Watson vs @ Jets

Kickers

Studs

• Nick Folk vs Giants
• Ryan Longwell vs @ Lions
• Joe Nedney vs Seahawks
• Rob Bironas vs Texans
• Stephin Gostkowski- @ Jets

Mid Range

• Ryan Succop vs Raiders
• Steven Hauschka vs @ Chargers
• Nate Kaeding vs Ravens
• Matt Prater vs Browns
• Josh Scobee vs Cardinals

Poor Plays

• Mason Crosby vs Bengals (Injured)

Defense/ Special Teams

Studs

• Vikings vs @ Lions
• Steelers vs @ Bears
• Redskins vsRams

Mid Range

• Giants vs @ Cowboys
• Cowboys vs Giants
• Steelers vs @ Bears
• Bears vs Steelers
• Packers vs Bengals
• Ravens vs @ Chargers
• Chargers vs Ravens
• Titans vs Texans

Poor Plays

• Dolphins vs Colts
• 49ers vs Seahawks
• Jets vs Patriots

Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com