The Fantasy Playoffs are upon is...and that means inevitable lineup decisions. Everyone knows that you roll with what got you there, but there are times when you need to play the hot hand. Do not overthink your lineup decisions, but remember that even a seemingly small decision could be a difference maker. The rule is "Don't bench your Beasts", but there is it is more complicated than that when you are trying to win a championship. We're going to run through every AFC team's fantasy relevant players and their playoff schedule. Good luck!

Check out our AFC Playoff Primer

New York Giants

Remaining Schedule: Vikings, Eagles, Packers
Eli Manning has a tough remaining schedule especially considering the fact he is missing his two top options in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks for an indefinite period of time. Until he gets either of these options back, he remains a QB2, but can be started in a pinch.  For the time being, Mario Manningham and Kevin Boss get a slight bump, as they remain the primary targets for Manning.  On the flip side, the Giants will lean heavily on the run with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw serving as solid RB1-2 options that are both currently healthy and a nice week for both of them will have them more opportunities in the coming weeks.
 

Philadelphia Eagles

Remaining Schedule: Cowboys, Giants, Vikings
Michael Vick is still producing big time fantasy numbers on a weekly basis.  His ability to give you an extra 10 points with his feet make him a must start every week.  Big time NFC games for the remainder of the season will keep the Mike Vick led Eagles highly motivated.  DJax and Jeremy Maclin remain must starts despite the difficult matchups. DJax is in line for a big game soon and Maclin remains consistent.  LeSean McCoy is becoming one of our favorite backs in the league and has added value as a receiving security blanket for Vick.  Brent Celek has had a disappointing season largely due to the fact he has been asked to block more for Vick.  Don't expect this trend to change through the fantasy playoffs, although he has been more involved in recent weeks.
 

Washington Redskins

Remaining Schedule: Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jaguars.
Donovan McNabb has been inconsistent all year, but is always capable of a big game.  His Week 15 and 16 matchups are solid, however the Cowboys are progressively getting stronger on D with each passing game.  His targets Santana Moss, Anthony Armstrong and Chris Cooley are decent flex options for those games however they are just as capable of busting each of those weeks, with Moss being your safest bet.  RBs Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams will be sharing the ball now it seems, with a little James Davis sprinkled in for good measure. None of them is starter worthy at the moment as a 2010 Mike Shanahan rushing backfield cannot be counted on for consistent production.

 

Dallas Cowboys

Remaining Schedule: Eagles, Redskins, Cardinals
Jon Kitna is performing nicely in place of injured Tony Romo. Kitna's numbers make him a startable QB1 vs. a decent fantasy playoff schedule, pending the return of Romo.  Dez Bryant is done for the year, so expect more catches for Miles Austin and Roy Williams the next few weeks.  Kevin Ogletree (keep a long term eye out here) could also get into the action, but not worth counting on with an abundance of weapons in front of him. Austin is a nice WR1 and Williams a nice WR3. Tashard Choice is once again getting an opportunity for consecutive starts while Marion Barber remains sidelined - and watching his future job in Dallas slip through the cracks with each productive Choice carry.  Choice has legit fantasy production in every chance he has gotten in a starting role, however a good game vs. the Eagles this weekend will instill significantly more confidence for owners in his chances for a big role through the fantasy playoffs.  His numbers suggest high end RB2 numbers, as is Felix Jones.  Start Jason Witten with comfort each week, as the absence of Bryant will continue to bump targets for Witten.

 

Atlanta Falcons

Remaining Schedule: Panthers, Seahawks, Saints
Other than a championship weekend vs. the Saints, the Falcons have an easy path to fantasy success the next two weekends.  Matt Ryan is a solid start however his numbers are still not quite elite.  The Falcons rushing game can be counted on each week with Michael Turner being a weekly must start, and a healthy Jason Snelling can even serve as a useful flex starter in deeper leagues.  Roddy White is the only Falcons WR worth starting without second thought.    Tony Gonzalez can also be started comfortably however his numbers have been somewhat inconsistent this season.  It will be interesting to see how the Falcons handle Week 16 should they have already locked up a first round bye and homefield advantage by then. 
 

New Orleans Saints

Remaining Schedule: Rams, Ravens, Falcons
The Saints are hot, and Drew Brees is firing on all cylinders. As long as the Falcons stay in first, Brees will throw each game and often as the Saints attempt to climb back into a soild playoff spot. Despite difficult matchups, Brees is a must start with an abundance of offensive weapons.  Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are riding the hot hand too, however Colston is definitely a safer weekly start than Meachem.  Pierre Thomas is still a questionmark and Reggie Bush remains a very dangerous flex starter as it seems his role has become more decoy than weapon. It will be interesting to see where Chris Ivory fits in with a healthy PT Cruiser, but it could be messy. TE Jimmy Graham will be inconsistent, but a few big games could be on the horizon, as the organization has shown confidence in him. Like always with the Saints, Brees is a must start and any of the other skill positions are hit or miss.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Remaining Schedule: Redskins, Lions, Seahawks.
As the Bucs make a playoff push (which may eventually have to wait until 2011), Josh Freeman owners will love this closing strech to 2010.  Favorable matchups will headline opportunity for Freeman to utilize the productive/standout WR Mike Williams, and also allow Arrelious Benn to continue to develop as well.   Despite some early career mistakes, Freeman has a chance to further establish his fantasy stock for 2011 with a solid close to 2010.  LeGarrette Blount is a great flex option and possibly even RB2 for the playoffs. He has nice matchups, and has taken advantage of his playing time by running over 100 yards against the Falcons.  You can start him with confidence each week for the remainder of 2010.

 

Carolina Panthers

Remaining Schedule: Falcons, Cardinals, Steelers.
Tough situation here.  Jimmy Clausen should be avoided at all cost, especially considering the difficult matchups.  Pay attention to his deveopment though in these tough matchups, although the Panthers will likely have a Top-2 pick in the 2011 NFL draft and he may be then relegated to a permanant backup role behind one of the studs in this years class.  An abundance of RB's on the Panthers roster will look to close out the season with solid numbers however anyone on this team is tough to trust at this point.  Jonathan Stewart appears to have taken over as the workhorse here and he is worth starting vs. the Cardinals.  On Championship weekend vs. the Steelers, he has a less than favorable matchup to say the least.  Mike Goodson's role is up in the air, as the Panthers seem committed to watching The Daily Show do work. WR Steve Smith remains in a horrible situation and is a stretch even as a Flex play.  Keep an eye on the production of two of our favorite young WR's on this squad, Brandon Lafell and David Gettis in the closing weeks.

 

Detroit Lions

Remaining Schedule: Packers, Buccaneers, Dolphins.
A favorable playoff schedule for the Lions is nice, but without a QB to chuck it around, Lions skill players will suffer some for the remainder of 2010.  Megatron is a must start, despite quadruple coverage on every play.  Jahvid Beast is still dealing with injury, but may provide some low value flex play if needed.  He is splitting carries with Maurice Morris, but despite the chance of a TD carry or two, MoMo is not receiving the carries necessary to start comfortably in fantasy playoff action.  Brandon Pettigrew and Nate Burleson are also nice Flex options as they are having quiet productive seasons despite the disarray at QB.  You are clearly hurting at QB if Drew Stanton is one of your QB starters at this point, but a rushing TD from him could be the difference....
 

Chicago Bears

Remaining Schedule: Patriots, Vikings, Jets
Jay Cutler is playing his best football of 2010 and has good matchups weeks 14 & 15.  Week 16 is another story as the Jets will likely be playing for a wildcard spot at that point. You really never know what you are going to get from Cutler on a weekly basis, though. He could end up winning you a championship or costing you one. The running game behind Matt Forte has been significantly more impressive lately and can be counted on in the closing weeks as the weather gets colder.  Earl Bennett’s emergence has him for a tasty matchup next week, and could be a nice sleeper throughout the playoffs. Johnny Knox is still the WR1 here and he is a solid Flex play. Devin Hester can also be rolled out in very deep leagues, as can Greg Olsen.

 

Minnesota Vikings

Remaining Schedule: Giants, Bears, Eagles
A tough road ahead for the Vikings to round out the 2010 season.  The Vikings will clearly lean heavily on the run making Adrian Peterson potentially a big time fantasy asset dispite the difficult schedule.  Brett Favre is clearly not healthy and should not be counted on vs. these opponents.  Backup Tavaris Jackson may get some starts as well (well see) however he would obviously not be reliable either as each of the Vikings opponents are in a tough battle for a playoff spot through the remainder of ther regular season.  The return of Sidney Rice gives some value to the Vikings receiving corps however without Percy Harvin to compliment them on the field, this group takes a hit as well.  It will be tough to rely on any Viking other than ADP and maybe Sidney Rice.

 

Green Bay Packers

Remaining Schedule: Lions, Patriots, Giants.
No other QB has been as fantasy productive in the last few weeks than Aaron Rodgers.  This trend should continue for the remainder of the season despite a difficult Week 16 matchup against a tough Giants D.  The Packers have a lot to play for making Rodgers and solid play.  Greg Jennings has been particularly impressive as well.  These two will do some damage.  James Jones remains at best a flex option, however he has been streaky at times and is also a top red zone target for Rodgers.  The return of Driver hurts his value some, but we also like the presence of Driver as a flex option as well.  The RB situation in GB is up in the air, but James Starks might clear it up. He was very impressive last week in his first football action in two years. Brandon Jackson, Dimitri Nance and John Kuhn will be tough to rely on as Starks emerges.
 

San Francisco 49ers

Remaining Schedule: Seahawks, Chargers, Rams
Alex Smith comes back under center (with Troy Smith back to the bench) to close out the season for a 49ers team playing for nothing (other than pride and the respect of HC Singletary) at this point.  Very difficult matchups in Weeks 15 and 16 make for very poor starts for either of the Smiths.  With Frank Gore on IR (and the 49ers playing mostly from the spread), Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon will get some work however they are poor starts as well.  Out of the shotgun, there could be some solid production from TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree, but they are more flex options than definite starters.

St. Louis Rams

Remaining Schedule: Saints, Chiefs, 49ers
Sam Bradford has some appealing matchups ahead, and is a QB2, and a nice start each week if you need a QB. Bradford has weapons in Danny Amendola and Michael Hoomanawanui. Intriguing rookie Danario Alexander remains a risky option, but could produce a big game or two to close out the year. Both WR and TE are flex options in deep leagues, as the Rams offense will rely on Steven Jackson. SJax is an RB1 who you should start each week as he has great matchups throughout as the Rams make a late season playoff push.

Seattle Seahawks

Remaining Schedule: 49ers, Falcons, Buccaneers
Matt Hasselbeck will have some decent matchups in the playoffs, but with injuries to WR’s Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu, his value shrinks. Avoid him down the stretch. Williams and Obomanu are decent WR2 when healthy. Marshawn Lynch is a nice Flex or RB3 if you are in need. He might not get a lot of yards, but he will get red zone carries, which can mean good for an owner looking for an option to start. Justin Forsett just does not get consistent touches behind Lynch and shouldn't be relied on.

Arizona Cardinals

Remaining Schedule: Broncos, Panthers, Cowboys
There is no question Larry Fitzgerald has had a tough year statistically. He has had 3 different QB’s this season, and will remain a WR2 given his situation.  Steve Breaston has averaged almost 70 yards per game, but he is no more than a Flex play because of the QB situation and his lack of redzone looks. Rookie John Skelton will get the start this week, so you are not going to look to role with him in your lineup unless you are completely desperate. RB’s Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells are both unpredictable, and will split carries the rest of the way. That makes both of them risky starts.  You know what you are going to get with this team, so no surprises here.

Good luck!