FanHouse LadanianTomlinson

As opposed to quarterbacks, I'm definitely in favor of keeping running backs. In fact, I highly recommend keeping two runners instead of a quarterback, if you have two of my top 20. Running backs are the life-blood of your fantasy team, much like the oil in your car. Two consistent runners on your fantasy team make life so much easier, which is why it's your starting point.

As I said, I'm recommending you keep two from the list, which is why I'm ranking more than I did for quarterbacks or wide receivers.

Ladies and Gents, your top 20 keeper running backs ...

Ryan mentioned the possibility this morning that the San Diego Chargers could trade LaDainian Tomlinson this offseason; I suppose it kind of makes sense considering he really hasn't factored into their final game during each of the last two seasons. Oh, and for the most part he looked more Dungy than Tony himself this season.

Well, those rumors have circulated just enough to hit the blogs, the mainstream and then filter their way back to sunny San Diego and LDT himself. For his part, he's choosing to pretend like they're just that: rumors.

Tomlinson says he's heard the rumors that the Chargers may trade him, allowing them to keep the cheaper Darren Sproles and get some younger players and draft picks to build a stronger future. Tomlinson still has 4 years left on his contract, and says management has not told him anything.

It is dumping snow in Pittsburgh for the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. So, no, not exactly your typical San Diego weather.

And the Chargers are going to, according to the CBS broadcast folks, have to deal with the weather sans LaDanian Tomlinson, who is not in the game today. Tomlinson, as you know, has a detached tendon in his groin and, as a result, is sitting out the game in Pittsburgh.

That leaves everything up to Darren Sproles in terms of San Diego's running game, and as I've mentioned before, that might be a little too much to ask of the former Wildcat product when facing the Steeler defense.

LaDanian Tomlinson was a virtual non-factor against the Indianapolis Colts last weekend. Yes, he scored, but five carries for 25 yards in a home playoff game is more or less "non-facto.r" Granted, too, he had a detached muscle in his groin, and that's a pretty good excuse for just about anything.

Anyway, all of that is how Darren Sproles became the most talked about name of the wild card weekend. And it looks like he might have a chance to repeat the success, as Tomlinson is doubtful.

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.

Stay on top of all the postseason action with FanHouse's NFL playoff coverage.

There's going to be puh-lenty of analysis about Saturday night's game between the Colts and Chargers. Most of it will center around two things: Darren Sproles and the eliminated league MVP, Peyton Manning. Sproles, of course, was beyond magnificent, piling up an absolutely insane 328 total yards (receiving + rushing + returning) as LaDanian Tomlinson was forced to the sidelines after the first quarter with a torn groin muscle (no one, by the by, should begrudge him this).

Philip Rivers was not all that spectacular, but neither was Manning; in fact, it was a game that really focused on some impressive defense and some odd choices re: coaches' challenges. Tony Dungy really had no business trying to get Reggie Wayne's catch back and, as a result, he couldn't try and flip Chris Chambers' probably-not-a-grab a few plays later.

Additionally, there was a whole bunch of bizarre business regarding a phantom "restored timeout" with 16 seconds left in regulation after Nate Kaeding finally didn't shank an important postseason kick.

But back to Sproles -- the kid was awesome from the start, and it was easily apparent at halftime that he deserves more credit for being an all-around back rather than just a kick returner. That type of flash continued throughout the second half -- one shoddy fumble near the goal line with the Chargers trailing aside -- and rolled right into overtime, when, following two crucial penalties by the Colts, Sproles ripped off a large touchdown run that quashed the Colts Super Bowl hopes and locked him in for some serious money later on.

Stay on top of all the postseason action with FanHouse's NFL playoff coverage.

Considering they reside in two different divisions, the Colts and Chargers are quite the familiar foes. Last season the Chargers won a regular season game against Indy when Adam Vinatieri shanked what should have been a gimme game-winner, and then the Chargers went into Indianapolis and shocked the Colts in the playoffs. This season, the Colts went into San Diego and knocked the Chargers to an extremely disappointing 4-7 -- this time on the strength of a clutch Vinatieri kick. At the time, you would have been crazy to think the Colts would have to travel out there again this season.

Instead, the Chargers come into the playoffs winning four straight, and -- by virtue of an embarrassing division -- get the pleasure of hosting a team which holds a four game lead and head-to-head victory in the W column. I'm sure arguments can be made about whether or not this is "fair," but life ain't fair.

You can bet Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy aren't bringing their Colts into San Diego feeling sorry for themselves. If anything, this will light a fire under their bellies.

There are some important stats from last night's Chargers - Broncos game that should be remembered. Of course, there's the obvious and relatively standard "52 points and that's all that matters because it was how many the Chargers scored in a win" thing. But more importantly, how about the 38.3 points per game that San Diego has averaged against Denver with Philip Rivers at quarterback? Or perhaps "9-0", which is Norv Turner's record as Chargers head coach in December? (I know, I'm shocked too.)

But I suppose you'll blame me for giving the Superchargers too much credit; Denver, after all, had three chances (against Oakland and Buffalo, no less) to close out the AFC West and get Turner fired. Instead, San Diego kept winning, Denver kept losing and all of sudden, flex sked in hand, there was a 60 minute slugfest scheduled for Sunday night, where the winner got the playoffs and the loser got mocked for being odd man out in a horrible division.

Except "slugfest" isn't a proper description of the game. "Beatdown" or "one sided blowout by the Chargers" would be a better way to describe it. Rivers was spectacular, LaDanian Tomlinson was revived, Darren Sproles was continually elusive and San Diego romped the Broncos.

Of course, the underlying theme of this whole game -- division title and rivalry aside -- was whether or not Ed Hochuli could be redeemed from an early season botch-job at the end of these two teams' first matchup. He was, which is nice, I suppose, but it still doesn't excuse him per se.

If you watched the Chargers - Broncos game last night, you know that San Diego was mildly warm on offense. They scored 52 points, the game was never really close, and LaDanian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles and Jacob Hester all ran roughshod over the Denver defense. Additionally, Philip Rivers was his season-long MVP candidate self as the Chargers rumbled to an AFC West division title.

Add in the fact that the Broncos lost to Oakland and Buffalo to close out the season (and by losing they, naturally, gave up some unnecessary points) and you would think that Mike Shanahan would be fed up with defensive coordinator Bob Slowik. Oddly, he's not.

Asked directly after the game whether Bob Slowik will return, Mike Shanahan indicated there would not be a change.

That vote of confidence came despite his team allowing the most points in a game since Oct. 31, 1988, and the seventh most in franchise history.

"I'm definitely happy with him as coordinator," linebacker Jamie Winborn said. "We played like (dirt). We didn't play to win. You play a good team like that, and that's what's going to happen. They came out fiery and took advantage of their opportunities."

It's nice that he has the full support of his players and all, but that doesn't really excuse giving up 374 yards per game (and 6.1 per play from scrimmage). Nor does it excuse sitting in first place in the AFC West for an entire season, only to choke away the division title at the end of the year because your defense coughed up an insane 112 points over the final three games of the season. Not saying Shanny has to can Slowik, but throwing out a vote of confidence after that little run seems a bit shortsighted.

Couldn't get enough during the NFL chat? That's fine, we'll keep the party rolling over here in the fantasy section with a discussion of our own. Really, it's just one big NFL chat gala here at FanHouse. We'll kick off right when Ryan Wilson shuts down his NFL chat.

Whether your fantasy playoffs begin this week or next, Week 14 is a pivotal week for you. While we've already hooked you up with some rankings and team-by-team previews of how your players should fare in the playoffs, we're always open to discuss flex position decisions or defend things we've already said.

We can also discuss the epic Raiders/Chargers game from last night and any fantasy fallout. For example, LaDanian Tomlinson is not a definite weekly starter anymore, but Philip Rivers is.