Sometimes I wonder if real football players draft themselves in fantasy football leagues. If so you can expect them to try even harder in the fantasy playoffs. I kind of wish I had a list of which ones owned themselves. Either way, this week is a very important one because it’s win or you’re done.

    So, with the kickers rankings out I am going to try and give you a few extra names that I like this week. But, remember if they aren’t ranked, that is for a reason.   

QB’s & TE’s

1.Matthew Stafford (DET)

2. Rob Gronkowski (NE)

3. Peyton Manning (IND)

4. Jimmy Graham (NO)

5. Tom Brady (NE)

6. Julius Thomas (DEN)

7. Nick Foles (PHI)

8. Vernon Davis (SF)

9. Josh McCown (CHI)

10. Tony Gonzalez (ATL)

RB                1. Jamaal Charles (KC)

2. Matt Forte (CHI)

3. Adrian Peterson (MIN)

4.Knowshon Moreno(DEN)

5.Marshawn Lynch (SEA)

WR/D/ST

1. Calvin Johnson (DET)

2. New England Patriots

3. A.J. Green (CIN)

4. Seattle Seahawks

5. Josh Gordon (CLE)

6. Arizona Cardinals

7. Brandon Marshall(CHI)

8. Cincinnati Bengals

9. Dez Bryant (DAL)

10. Baltimore Ravens

    Players that are not ranked but that I am really high on this week:

Drew Brees (NO/QB)- Yes this is a good defense, and yes he stunk last week at Seattle But, in the dome Brees has averaged 356 yards and 3 touchdowns per game this year. Not to mention, this is a huge game in the division and for the pride of Brees and Payton after last week.

Cam Newton (CAR/QB)-  Did you see what a dual-threat quarterback did to this Saints defense last week? Newton doesn’t have to do everything or force plays on this team, which cuts down on his turnover risk and he is rushing for over 50 yards a game over the last three games and has 18 touchdowns in the last eight weeks. I expect him to be a top-10 quarterback this week.

Eddie Lacy (RB/GB)-

    Yes, Detroit stacked the box and bottled up Lacy, but Green Bay also played from behind and had to throw. The Falcons are decent in the secondary, but 27th against the run, so I expect this game to be closer, Lacy to get more carries and to have much closer to his normal fantasy production albeit still not the numbers he had with Aaron Rodgers under center.

Reggie Bush(RB/DET)-  Bush has nine catches for 82 yards the past two games, that is added onto his 200 yards rushing. So, in a ppr league he might be closer to top 5, but no matter what type of league you are in as long as his calf is ok, and he plays I expect Bush to perform very well against a sub-par Philly run defense.

Alshon Jeffery(WR/CHI)-  Not just one big week, over the past five games he has averaged over seven catches and 109 yards per game while adding three touchdowns. Against this 21st ranked Dallas secondary expect to see about the same.

3 guys that haven’t been exactly solid every week, but that I expect to do well this week:

Vincent Jackson(WR/TB)- Jackson definitely isn’t a top 10 play, but he isn’t far behind. He is a big receiver, and a good receiver, and is playing a Bills secondary that is ranked 31st. I like his chances this week.

Desean Jackson(WR/PH) Both of these Jacksons are up and down, but like Vincent, I expect Desean to be up this week. He is playing the 28th ranked Detroit secondary that, if you remove a Green Bay team without Rodgers, has given up 12 touchdowns to wide receivers over the past five games. I like this deep-threats chances of finding the end zone this week.

Jared Cook (TE/STL)- Cook also isn’t a solid fantasy performer, but he is playing an Arizona defense that is last place vs tight ends and that Cook gashed for seven catches, 141 yards, and 2 touchdowns in Week 1.

    End Note: The team that you are “coaching” in the playoffs is YOUR team. You know who has performed well and how your league scores, so play the guys that you feel best about. If you have any questions remember to shoot them to me on Twitter: @Zach_ffootball.