Unfamiliar Names Prevail In The Endzone

Arian Foster, Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis, and Mike Tolbert are the top 3 players in rushing touchdowns with 13, 12, and 11 respectively. Peyton Hillis is also tied with 11 (along with others). But the fact is this season is full of breakout runners that have proven to be more than "one week wonders". Foster's success has been well documented all season but Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis has only one fewer touchdown than Foster. Arian Foster is the go-to-guy for the Texans and gets most of the touches, while Green-Ellis started the season battling for time with 4 other backs and has the league's best passing game hindering his opportunities. Despite all this, Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis has taken Randy Moss's place as the Patriot's "touch down machine" and could also break the 1,000 yard plateau in the team's final two regular season games. The Chargers came into the season with a potential three headed rushing attack. Rookie Ryan Matthews was supposed to come in and replace LaDanian Tomlinson as the primary runner, Darren Sproles was there to be the spark plug for this prolific offense, while Mike Tolbert was designated to a third string role seeing possible touches on third down and on the goal line. But throughout this season Ryan Matthews has suffered chronic injuries for a myriad of alignments, nonetheless San Diego's offense hasn't missed a beat. Obviously a majority of the credit goes to Philip Rivers for playing MVP-caliber football but Mike Tolbert has taken over the full rushing responsibilities. Regardless of his full-back body Tolbert has been burning opposing defenses and using his strength to battle for first downs and powering through the endzone. The Broncos decided to "throw in" Peyton Hillis when they acquired Brady Quinn from the Browns. We know see why the Broncos fired Josh McDaniels and why Brown fans are happy they are finally on the top of a loop-sided-trade. Hillis already has over 1000 yards and 11 TD's but his most proud moment has to be on November 7th, when he torched the Patriots for two touchdowns on 210 total yards, handing New England one of there only two losses this whole year.

Fantasy Playoffs and Trade Deadline

Sell High:

QB: Mike Vick- He is posting ridiculous numbers but it is hard to believe he will replicate these numbers throughout the fantasy playoffs. He will be great no doubt but if you have another elite quarterback like Tom Brady or Philip Rivers than trade Vick for an elite RB or WR to fill a weakness and add balance.

RB: Arian Foster and Ryan Torian- Injuries, bad teams, meaningless game all of these factors could impact these guys numbers. Like Vick, sell Foster at his peak value when you could get RB of equal value and a solid RB2 or WR1/WR2. Torian is hurt and the Redskins have about 8 other RBs but if you could unload Torian to someone who is just looking at his stats then go for it. Torain will be riding everyones bench the rest of the season, including the Redskins. Keiland Williams (available in most leagues will be a solid flex play or RB2 in deep leagues for the rest of these season)

WR: Percy Harvin, Brandon Marshall, Dez Bryant- All of these guys have had up and down seasons and Marshall has seemingly forgotten where the end zone even is. But Harvin and Dez have fought to put up some huge games at times but have also been killers for some owners. The risk is not worth starting them on a week to week basis. Dez was a huge fantasy dud this week against the Saints which could cost owners a playoff spot, Kitna is no Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense is risk/reward each week. Harvin lives and dies by Favre which at this point is not a safe risk. Trade both of these guys for safer options while their value is still high due to some huge fantasy weeks. Marshall has been a consistent player and put up solid scoring outputs all season with only one touchdown. But with Tyler Thigpen (3rd string QB) starting and spreading the ball around to everyone on the field Marshall's yardage will decrease and he already is rarely targeted in the red zone. He will be a WR3 or flex play at best for the remainder of the season.

TE: Antonio Gates- Injuries have killed owners the past few weeks and this season TEs are coming out of nowhere and putting up huge games. Gate was the fantasy MVP a few weeks ago and trade him now while he is still hot for a top 10 TE and WR2. Marcedes Lewis is guy I like going forward to lead the NFL in TDs for tight ends as he is Garrard's favorite red zone target. And when it comes to TEs touchdowns are the smarter way to go than yards.