A Week 2 Playoff Fantasy Football Look

If you play in a playoff fantasy football league and get to reset your lineup before this weekend, worry not, we got your back. We'll just do a quick run-through of each game.

Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans
First of all, don't you dare play any defense other than the Ravens. Ed Reed might score the most points in this game. If you've been watching the Ravens' play of late, you definitely aren't laughing at that statement.

I don't see how the Titans generate much offense, outside the possibility of getting Chris Johnson in space. I'd avoid everyone other than Johnson, and I'm not even a huge fan of Johnson.

The Ravens won't be able to move the ball quite as well as they did against the Dolphins' average defense. Your best bet would be Le'Ron McClain, as the Ravens will likely try to control the clock. The Titans are more vulnerable via the pass than the run -- though they aren't really weak anywhere -- but I can't see Joe Flacco playing overly well against this defense.

You could do much worse than either kicker here, by the way. Both Rob Bironas and Matt Stover are sure to be busy, considering the defenses don't allow many touchdowns.

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
While it's true the Cardinals don't play well -- understatement alert -- in the East, they have the weapons to score some points on the Panthers. Weather could be a factor, but not a huge one. As of right now, it appears there's a slight chance of rain and the temperature will be in the mid-40s with mild winds. That not enough to kill a prolific offense.

Kurt Warner threw for 381 yards and two scores in a loss when the Cards visited Carolina earlier this season, and I see no reason for things to be much different. He's an elite start, as is Larry Fitzgerald. Considering the uncertain status of Anquan Boldin, it's tough to trust him or Steve Breaston. Edgerrin James looked good last week, but I'm not buying into him for this week. There are much better options.

Speaking of better options, I'm not seeing a repeat of that tough Cardinals run defense we saw last week. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are both in line for big games. Jake Delhomme had one of his best games of the season when they played Arizona this season, but I sense they'll be playing much more of a ground game this time around. Steve Smith is still a play, but I'd avoid everyone else in the Carolina passing game.

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
Brian Westbrook is an automatic play. Other than that, I'm not really liking the Eagles -- including Donovan McNabb. I'm feeling a ferocious Giants defensive front pressuring him into some bad mistakes, and none of the receivers are very reliable.

For the Giants, they will look to control the game on the ground, and that means a healthy dose of both Derrick Ward and Brandon Jacobs. Both are good starts. Eli Manning will do what he does. He won't be elite, and he won't really hurt you. Expect something like 175 yards and a touchdown through the air.

San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
First of all, the weather -- though it will be really cold -- shouldn't be a huge factor, as there don't appear to be treacherous winds or snow on the way.

The Chargers pass defense has been bad all season, but it wasn't awful against the Colts. The Colts' passing attack has much better weapons than the Steelers, so I wouldn't bother with Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes right now -- especially considering Big Ben's possible lingering concussion effects. I also don't like the Willie Parker/Mewelde Moore split to rack up better numbers than several other running backs. All things considered, I like the Steelers to win despite no one having an overly impressive stat total. It is the blue-collar way, after all.

For the Chargers, they have a tough assignment. This is the best defense in the league, and it stifled San Diego last time around. Philip Rivers is hotter now, sure, but he wasn't exactly earth-shattering against the Colts. The most impressive player against Indy was Darren Sproles, but the Steelers rush defense is exponentially better than Indy's. I'd avoid LaDanian Tomlinson for the rest of the way. I do, however, like Antonio Gates to be easily the best tight end of the week.

Top lineup for the week:
QB - Warner
RB - Westbrook
RB - D. Williams
WR - Fitzgerald
WR - Steve Smith (CAR)
TE - Gates
D/ST - Ravens
K - Bironas

Sleeper lineup:
QB - Delhomme
RB - D. Ward
RB - M. Moore
WR - Marcus Floyd
WR - Derrick Mason
TE - Heath Miller
D/ST - Giants -- if you can call them one
K - David Akers