I needed to make a trade in my one-player keeper league. I've been hit hard by the injury bug (Reggie Bush) and bye weeks (Adrian Peterson last week, Frank Gore this week). I tried shopping Bush without much luck. So, next to be offered was Gore. I found an offer to help me this week, sending Gore and Trent Edwards packing for Matt Forte and Kurt Warner. We'll see how it goes this week.

I still need an RB this week in my one-player keeper league. I'm going with Tim Hightower this week. There's been rumblings he could be the starter soon. ... I'm sticking with Donnie Avery in my lineup this week. His ownership in ESPN leagues went up 50 percent this week. ... I'm not expecting another two-TD week from Dallas Clark this week. That was nice to see last week. ... By roller-coaster ways at kicker are on hold this week. I'm sticking with David Akers. ... I picked up Ryan Torain this week. I don't expect much from him this week, but he could end up as the Broncos' main RB. If you have room, grab him and get ahead of the curve. ... I'd cut Larry Johnson if there was a suitable replacement in my other league. ... I'm benching Marion Barber this week for Chris Johnson and Burner Turner. I don't like Dallas' chances against Big Blue. ... At TE, I cut Heath Miller and went with Visanthe Shiancoe. ... In the same league that I have LJ, I'm stuck with Santonio Holmes. Boy, I know how to pick 'em. ... I don't like Ryan Grant's matchup, so I'm going with Hightower over him in another league. ... I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to cut Big Ben. ... I like Nate Washington over Hines Ward, but I can't bring myself to start Nate. ... In my dynasty league, I'm starting Kyle Orton at QB. ... At RB, I'm going with Forte and Steven Jackson, even though I'm pretty bitter about S-Jax not playing last week.

Good luck this week.

I've made a run, but it's likely gonna stop this week.

First, let me preface things by saying I hate Jay Cutler and Eddie Royal. Or, should my anger be directed at the Browns for giving up that long TD on Thursday? Either way, I'm down big in my one-player keeper league. So, it looks like my two-game winning streak is in serious jeopardy.

It's when something like Thursday happens that you need to take a risk. So, instead of going with Vincent Jackson this week, I'm going with upside and that means Donnie Avery.

Here are my other thoughts on the week:

Stay away from Big Ben. He'll cause nothing but heartache. ... Just throwin' it out there that Daunte Culpepper is back in the league. He is on the Lions, so don't get any funny ideas. ... I like Adrian Peterson against Green Bay, but I don't like Ryan Grant against the Pack. ... Still rolling with David Akers at kicker in many leagues. I don't see a reason to change. ... The Titans defense has been huge all year and they get a break with Rex Grossman at QB. ... I think Dallas Clark will do OK against the Steelers today. ... I like Matt Forte, just not this week. ...If Brett Favre struggles against the Rams, it's time to cut him. ... Look for Mewelde Moore to continue his good work filling in for Willie Parker. ... If he's available, pick up Jamaal Charles. It's not a great matchup against the Chargers, but he's at least starting if you need some bye week help. ... Did I mention how upset I am at Eddie Royal? ... In the Times-News Challenge, where I'm at 5-4, I'm still going with Hines Ward over Nate Washington. ... Don't waste time on Steven Jackson this week. If you're feeling lucky, pick up Kenneth Darby. ... I'm going with Maurice Jones-Drew over Mewelde Moore in my dynasty league. ... My QBs in that dynasty league are Carson Palmer, Matt Schaub, Kyle Orton and Eli Manning and I don't like Manning's matchup.

Good luck this week.

The playoffs are fast approaching, so now's a good time to take a look at how my fantasy football teams are doing.

Non-keeper League
Record: 4-6 (8th of 12 teams)
Behind the record: My team is third in scoring
Strengths: RB trio of Chris Johnson, Marion Barber and Michael Turner. Brandon Marshall at WR. Titans defense.
Weakness: Tight end. Currently using Visanthe Shiancoe.
Outlook: Everyone makes the playoffs, so I'm safe there. I'm still scoring points, so I like my chances. I just need to start the right RBs each week (two) and need Brett Favre to play well (not so sure that will happen).

One keeper
Record: 4-6 (10th of 12)
Behind the record: Second overall in scoring, first in points allowed.
Strengths: Kurt Warner at QB, RB trio of Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte and Tim Hightower. Also have Reggie Bush.
Weakness: Bad matchups. This team should be doing much better.
Outlook: Eight teams make the playoffs, so my work is cut out. I've been scoring points, so I hope things even out the last three weeks of the regular season.

Erie Times-News Challenge
Record: 6-4 (6th of 10)
Behind the record: I'm stuck in a tough division where I'm in a tie for third place. I'm one game out of first place.
Strengths: Kurt Warner at QB. Adrian Peterson at RB. Brandon Marshall at WR. Titans defense.
Weakness: Second RB spot. I've been going with Ryan Grant and Tim Hightower. Hines Ward has cooled off.
Outlook: It's a good team, but there are others just as good in the league. If Hightower steps up or if Grant continues resurgence, it might not be that bad.

Dynasty league
Record: 6-4 (2nd of 8).
Behind the record: Two games out of first place. First overall in scoring.
Strengths: Alternating two RB spots between Matt Forte, Maurice Jones-Drew, Marshawn Lynch, Steven Jackson. Eddie Royal and Cal Johnson at WR.
Weakness: QB has been up-and-down with Eli Manning, Kyle Orton (injury).
Outlook: I like this team. I need to pick the right matchups at RB for success.

I had a bad feeling last week in my one-keeper league and it turned out to be correct. In a 10-team league, I was No. 2 in scoring for the week by a good margin. Unfortunately, I played the top-scoring team. Now I'm one game out of a playoff berth with three weeks to go.

I really like Kurt Warner's matchup against the Seahawks this week. He should continue to make his MVP push. ...I've seen one place where LaDainian Tomlinson would be a good choice to bench this week. Yes, it's a game against the Steelers, but LT doesn't deserve benching. In fact, with poor weather forecast, I'd expect him to get plenty of touches. ... On the same weather topic, I'd be a little uneasy going with Philip Rivers this week. Poor weather will make it tougher to pass. I'd look for other options if I had them. ... I was going with Vincent Jackson against the depleted Steelers' secondary. Now, I'm going with Donnie Avery. ... Tim Hightower should fare better against the Seahawks. ... I had the Ravens defense for much of the season. This week, however, I picked up the Panthers. They have a very favorable matchup against the Lions. ... I'm riding David Akers again. It's not the best matchup for a kicker, I've just become comfortable starting him every week. ... I'm still waiting for Reggie Bush to get healthy. Yet another week goes by without him. ... I'm ready to cut Roy Williams. Hopefully with Tony Romo back, he'll start to improve. ... Chris Johnson, Marion Barber or Michael Turner? I'm going with CJ and Burner Turner. ... I'm starting Hines Ward over Santonio Holmes. I don't have any other choices there. ... I'm benching Ryan Grant again this week. Next week he has a better matchup against the Saints. ... Larry Johnson's back, but I don't know how effective he'll be. I'd keep him on the bench. ... I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm going with Tyler Thigpen at QB over Eli Manning. ... I'm hoping for another big game from DeAngelo Williams. ... Surprise! Steven Jackson is out again. ... I'm starting Ronnie "Wildcat" Brown over Marshawn Lynch.

Good luck this week.

All day I've been hearing about how the officials got the call wrong at the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers' win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

I've also heard about how the call kept the 11-10 final in tact, the first such score in league history.

I've also heard about how Vegas profited from the bad call.

I've yet to hear about how fantasy owners won or lost based on the bogus ruling.

If you started the Steelers defense, you lost a touchdown at the end of the game.

In individual defensive player leagues, a touchdown was taken away from Troy Polamalu.

And, in some circles, leagues award points based on the score. So, if your opponent for the week started the Chargers defense, the Chargers defense was credited with allowing 11 points instead of 17 or 18.

Thank you, officials, for ruining leagues with this one.

In three leagues, I have two weeks left until the playoffs. In the other, this is the last week.

Needless to say, every move counts. Here's what I see happening this week:

In the Times-News Challenge, I'm in 6th place overall and I start the day with a whopping three points from Hines Ward. C'mon, Hines. Really. Three points? Geez. We're talking one catch against the lowly Bengals. ... I don't like Kurt Warner's matchup against the Giants. My other option is Kyle Orton. I'm sticking with Warner and crossing my fingers. ..Ryan Grant is back in my lineup this week, so his resurgence is about to end. ... I like Andre Johnson's matchup against the Browns. I think the Texans will look to get him the ball, unlike Trent Edwards on Monday night. ... If Brandon Marshall draws Nnamdi Asomugha, don't expect much at all. ... Brett Favre against the Titans smells like three interceptions -- at least. ... Marion Barber gets the start for me this week. Larry Johnson will be riding the pine. ... Burner Turner is at home, but it's against the Panthers. Don't expect a super day, but he's still worth starting. ... I picked up Dustin Keller at TE this week and I'm inserting him directly into my lineup. He's turning into one of Favre's favorite targets. ... I have a tough matchup in the league where I really need a win. A win and I get to .500. A loss and I don't even want to think of it. I picked up Pierre Thomas in case Reggie Bush can't go. ... It's about time for Donnie Avery to strike with a big game. ... I'm going with Orton over Eli Manning in my dynasty league. ... Antonio Bryant looks strong against the Lions, so he's in my lineup in the dynasty league, too. ... In my offensive player spot, I'm going with Marshawn Lynch over equally strong choices Ronnie Brown and Maurice Jones-Drew. ... I'm choosing Bo Scaife over Dallas Clark.

Good luck this week.

Man, is my schedule off tonight.

Work ended a couple hours early, I get home and I'm treated to my wife catching up on her soap opera on the DVR.

What a better way to start Thanksgiving eve. Well, at least I can look forward to three football games and lots of food.

Here's what I'm thinking about the turkey games:

Titans at Lions
The only Lion I'd feel comfortable starting is Calvin Johnson. As for the Titans, you've got to go with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. I wouldn't be comfortable with Kerry Collins at QB. This game could get ugly in a hurry, which would mean plenty of chances for the RBs. If you have the Titans defense, you have to like your chances here.

Seahawks at Cowboys
This could be the second mismatch of the day. Tony Romo is a must start. The same for T.O. and Marion Barber. Jason Witten should play, but I wouldn't be counting on a big game from him. This could be a good game for Nick Folk. The only Seattle player I'd consider is John Carlson.

Cardinals at Eagles
The Cards head to the East Coast, but I wouldn't hesitate starting Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitz. I was on the Tim Hightower bandwagon and jumped off last week. It was a bad week to jump, but I don't like how they're using the backs, at least for fantasy purposes. As for the Eagles, I don't see how you can start Donovan McNabb unless you have no other options. Brian Westbrook might not be at full strength, but you still need to start him. If I'm starting any receiver, it's DeSean Jackson.

Good luck today and have a happy Thanksgiving.

I'm still filling up on turkey and James Bond movies, but I've seen enough of Brian Westbrook for this season.

Westbrook's four-touchdown day might just end my bid for the playoffs in one league and make it a short playoff trip in another.

Here are my thoughts for the rest of the week:

I'll start with the Steelers since that's the game I'm most interested in. Bench Big Ben, I don't think he'll do much against the Patriots. I like Matt Cassel in this one. I don't think he'll go for 400 yards, but 280 and 3 TDs is within reach. ... Brandon Marshall is due for a TD this week against the Jets. ...Kyle Orton should have a better day this week, even if the matchup is the Vikings. ... I can't say the same thing for Matt Forte. I've been counting on him the past four weeks and expect him to come up small this week. ... It looks like Darren McFadden is back. The matchup against KC says "start him." ... Michael Turner has struggled a bit on the road. Don't expect a huge game against SD. ... If Reggie Bush plays, don't expect much against the Bucs. ... I'd pick up Domenik Hixon if I needed a WR. He'll see some time with Plaxico Burress on the self-inflected wounded list. ... I like Anthony Gonzalez more and more with every passing week. ... Marshawn Lynch has a good-looking matchup against the 49ers. ... If you need to pick a Steelers running back, go with Mewelde Moore. ... Antonio Bryant will have a better game this week. ... Keep riding Ronnie "Wildcat" Brown.