Despite six weeks of the NFL season being in the books there are still many players out there on waiver wires who can make a fantasy football impact today.
With six new quarterbacks making starts today that position seems to offer the most value. The guy I like a lot today is Tim Tebow with Denver. While some fantasy experts have mixed feelings about Tebow, this is a guy who can provide Michael Vick-like numbers. Tebow is middle of the road when it comes to the passing game but he has a long history of being prolific in the running game too. If he's out there and you need a QB, expect 20-30 points from Tebow today.
Some experts are also saying stay away from San Diego tight end Antonio Gates who is making his first start since suffering a foot injury the first week of the season. The Chargers will likely limit the amount of plays he will be on the field, but a limited Gates is still better than a full production from most other tight ends in the NFL.
Start Gates if you have him and he should get you 15-20 points.
Also, don't be afraid to start Oakland receiver Jacoby Ford. He has struggled but the Raiders should fall behind early against Kansas City forcing QB Kyle Boller to throw some deep balls early and often.

Heading into this season, team owners in the six fantasy football leagues I'm in had concerns the lengthy lockout would result in a rash of early-season injuries.
That concern has become a reality with players going down with injuries on a weekly basis.
The high-profile injury is obviously the loss of Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning indefinitely with a neck injury. Backup Kerry Collins hasn't been the answer and now with Collins out this week with a concussion Curtis Painter gets his first shot at an NFL start.
In my Betting the NFL column today I led off with Painter and how I believe he is going to make an impact.
The reason I'm making a big deal about this here is some fantasy experts on websites like cbssports.com and Espn are saying stay away from Painter.
This is Painter's shot. Look at what he has to work with - tight end Dallas Clark and host of solid receivers led by Reggie Wayne. I seriously think Painter can throw for 300 yards this week. I am so serious that in my Golf Digest Media League I am sitting Mike Vick in favor of Painter.
Another injury to be wary of is Green Bay back Ryan Grant who is out with a kidney injury. James Starks will take his place but thiurd stringer John Kuhn will get his touches too. I think both players will excel today.

This isn't your typical fantasy sports story.
But when it comes to fantasizing about that big winning day at the racetrack, fans of female jockey Tammi Piermarini probably came close to satisfying that fantasy at Suffolk Downs on Wednesday.
Piermarini had an unbelievable Wednesday at Suffolk Down as the jockey phenom won the first five races at Suffolk Downs. The five wins also allowed her to be the fourth winningest female jockey of all time.
She started her day by riding Riparian Right ($7.00) to victory in the opening race. She followed that with wins aboard Dr. Mulligan ($2.60), Sevenisthenumber ($13.00), Wolf Moon ($4.40) and New England champion Technically Wicked ($6.40), respectively.
She completed the day with five wins and one second from seven mounts.
According to officials at Suffolk Downs, Piermarini, who earlier in the year became the fifth woman to reach the 2,000-win milestone, has eclipsed Vicki Baze and is now the fourth winningest female rider in history with 2,024 career wins.
She is 113 wins behind third-place Patti Cooksey (2,137). Julie Krone (3,704) and Rosemary Homeister (2,438) are the top two female jockeys with the most wins.

As you may know by now San Diego tight end Antonio Gates is inactive today with a foot injury that hjas nagged him since the preseason.
Don't panic if you need a quick replacement. Grab Cleveland tight end Evan Moore who is available in about 80 percent of leagues. Browns back Peyton Hillis is out today and was sent home with strep throat.
Expect Moore to get a huge amnount of targets and I see 18-25 points from him.
Houston Texans backj Arian Foster continues to be plagued by a hamstring injury and is out today. If you are looking for a last minute replacement go with Pats back Danny Woodhead. He should have 12-15 touches today and has a shot for double digit points.

Several players are expected to play today despite still hurting with an injury and not being 100 percent. Be careful when you start these players beause their production will likely be limited if they play.

Santonio Holmes is recovering from knee and quadriceps injuries and is listed as questionable for today's game with Jacksonville. But the Jets' website claims Holmes, who was very iffy to play on Friday, plans to play today.
But even if he plays today, don't expect him to be 100 percent. Plaxico Burress will likely be used a lot more with Holmes used as a decoy in a lot of passing plays. I would play Pittsburgh's Emmanuel Sanders or Arizona's Early Doucet ahead of Holmes this week.
Texans running back Arian Foster, who went No. 1 in most drafts this season, is expected to see the field for the first time this season as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury. He is still listed as questionable against Miami and I wouldn't expect a lot from him this week. Backup Ben Tate is expected to get a lot of work with possibly as much as a 50-50 split in carries.
At least for this week, don't expect monster fantasy production from Foster. I would start guys like Cedric Benson, Peyton Hillis and Beanie Wells if they're available over Foster - just for this week.

This is for Monday's game, but St. Louis running back Steven Jackson is expected to be a game-time decisions as far his availibity according to the team's website. Listed as questionable with a quadriceps injury, he didn't practice Saturday. The best bet in this spot appears to be backup running back Cadillac Williams. I would bench Jackson because even if he plays he likely won't be effective when it comes to fantasy production. Go with Williams or some of the other running back options out there. I would even go with New England's Danny Woodhead who I believe will be very active in the Pats' tough matchup with San Diego today.

ATTENTION FANTASY FOOTBALL FANS: For more indepth fantasy football coverage, read my fantasy football column this week by clicking on the hyperlink.

NOTE: If you're reading this you are getting information from a guy who is the defending champion of the prestigious Fantasy Sports Writers Association Insiders Fantasy Football League, a nationally renowned fantasy football league involving 65 of the top fantasy sports experts nationwide.

Let the NFL games begin.
The landscape of fantasy football isn't quite the same for today's Sunday debut of games. You have an elite quarterback - Indianapolis' QB Peyton Manning - out of action, ESPN.com is reporting Houston back Arian Foster, a No. 1 draft pick in many leagues, will be inactive today due to a nagging hamstring injury, and new talent like Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green are emerging as solid players to watch.
It's days like this that can drive fantasy football team owners up a wall.
But it ain't (excuse the awkward word) all that bad.
If you're looking for a back to replace Foster, all week I've been touting Cincinnati's Cedric Benson, Arizona's Beanie Wells and even Dallas' Felix Jones as under-the-radar type guys who could produce well today.
If you don't have those guys and want to take a shot and go for a reach, then try Jonathan Stewart at Carolina. He is still available on many waiver wires and he is expected to split carries with DeAngelo Williams, almost to the point of a 50-50 split in carries.
If you need a QB, I'm still amazed at how many waiver wires still have Arizona's Kevin Kolb or Minnesota's Donovan McNabb available. These quarterbacks have solid receiving talent to work with and should produce decent fantasy numbers each week.
One suggestion when it comes to the tight end position, feel confident playing any tight end you have today. Thanks to the lockout many offensive lines will still be trying to get on the same page, there will be breakdowns and quarterbacks will likely be doing a lot of short, check-down passes to avoid trouble.
FYI: Be advised you are getting fantasy football info here from a guy who is the defending national champion of the prestigious Fantasy Sports Writers Insiders Fantasy Football League, competing against the best of the best experts nationwide.

Pressure? What pressure?
I've been hearing from a lot of fantasy football experts around the country the past few days, wishing me luck this NFL season in defending my title as the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Insiders Fantasy Football League champion.
The unique thing about the FSWA fantasy football league is instead of competing against 11 other owners, you are actually competing against 65 of the nearly 500 members of the FSWA representing all the major fantasy football media outlets nationwide.
You aren't just competing against your buddies who love fantasy football. You're competing against fantasy football experts who live, eat and sleep fantasy football for a living.
It ain't easy and you have to be on top of your game, trying to stay a step ahead of these guys.
The common question I've been asked is what was my secret last season?
While drafting is important, keeping aprised of what talent is available on the waiver wire during the season has always been key for me. Last year I picked up Michael Vick, Dwayne Bowe and Arian Foster off waivers.

Who's the No. 1 pick in fantasy football drafts?
According to Mockdraftcentral.com, Houston running back Arian Foster is the No. 1 overall pick. If this guy is healthy he can surely help you at back and at receiver with his ability to catch the ball. But is he healthy? If you go by his last preseason game he looked pretty good and ready to go.
Other guys being picked No. 1 in drafts around the country - all backs - are Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, Kansas City's Jamaal Charles, Tennessee's Chris Johnson and Baltimore's Ray Rice.
Guys picked among the top three spots are Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy and Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick who just signed a $100 million contract.
So who do you pick if you have the No. 1 draft position?
I think Adrian Peterson is the safest guy to take at No. 1. He's healthy and has a quarterback who can make defenses polkay honest.
The wildcard here could be Vick. Most fantasy sports sites have him projected with the most fantasy points for the season with anywhere from 323 to 347.
I like Vick a lot, but if you're drafting the top four spots you need to go with a solid running back.

If you're reading this you are probably competing in your championship game today.

Week 17 is always a crapshoot with teams resting players and teams out of playoff contention just going through the motions. With that said there are still players motivated to contribute.
The key backs today are Houston's Arian Foster and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles who are competing for the rushing title. Another key back is New England back Danny Woodhead who should shred the dismal Buffalo rush defense.
If you need a quarterback Denver's Tim Tebow is probably still available on your waiver wire. He should have a big game today as he continues to showcase why he is a legitimate NFL starting QB. The most motivated QB today will be Matt Ryan who laid an egg last week against New Orleans and needs a win to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
If you need a tight end a guy who might be availableis Houston's Owen Daniels who has been hurt most of the season.
Receivers to key on would be Baltimore's Derek Mason, St. Louis' Danny Amendola, Houston's Kevin Walter and Indianapolis' Pierre Garcon/Blair White.

Be advised Maurice Jones-Drew, David Garrard and Chad Ochocinco are out and guys like Mike Vick, DeSean Jackson, Tom Brady, Deion Branch and Santonio Holmes will see little or no action as they rest for the playoffs.
Good luck today!!!

What a satisfying season for yours truly when it comes to competing in fantasy football leagues.

For the first time your fearless fantasy advisor has won one of the most prestigious fantasy football leagues in the United States - the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Industry Insiders League. The league is sponsored by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and comprised of 60 of the most accomplished veterans at fantasy sports sites in the television, radio, print and radio media. I also won the Golf Digest Media Fantasy Football League championship as well.

The Fantasy Sports Writers Association Industry Insiders League is comprised of five 12-team divisions with individuals from various media sites that include ESPN, CBSSPORTS.com, FanBall.com, KFFL.com, Rotowire.com, SportingNews.com, Draftsharks.com, Footballguys.com, Footballdiehards.com and many others.
The competition is unique, combining both head-to-head and rotisserie formats.
The first 11 weeks of the competition is head-to-head. The division winners plus the 15 teams with the next best record advance to the championship round in Weeks 12-16 of the NFL’s regular season.

I ended up 8-3 in my division after 11 weeks, tied with Cory Bonini of KFFL for second place.
When you begin the championship round you start with the overall average weekly points from the first 11 weeks. The first 11 weeks I averaged 157 points and that was my starting point in the championship round.
In Weeks 12-16 you add the points your team accumulates each week.
Entering Week 16, I was in fourth place with 711.29 points. Team Mike Jones (footballdiehards) led with 723.08 points followed by Matt Schauf of RapidDraft.com (722.85) and Todd Lammi of FantasyBaseballTools.com (722.80).
In Week 16, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees on Monday gave me 17.10 points for a Week 16 total of 165.50. The big finish gave me 876.79 points overall and the FSWAIIL championship. Schauf ended up second with 871.55 points followed by Lammi (867.35), Pete Smits of FantasyInsights.com (844.40), Jon Rascom of FantasyFootballTrader.com (814.04) and Jones (813.23).

I am also living proof, even against elite competition, that you can overcome a rough draft to win a title. The night of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Industry Insiders League draft, I was available for the first four rounds but then the unthinkable happened - my computer froze and went down. I missed the final 16 rounds. I pre-ranked my players before the draft in case something happened. But as a result of missing most of the draft I ended up with no top tier receivers with maybe the exception of Nate Washington. The receivers I ended up with were Michael Jenkins, Chaz Schilens, Nate Washington, Kevin Walter and Demaryius Thomas.
Through waiver pickups (a bidding process conducted on Wednesdays and Fridays) the first four weeks of the season I was able to strengthen myself at receiver, picking up Brandon Lloyd, Steve Johnson and Danny Amendola. Those additions came up big for me.
FYI: The Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA.org) is comprised of nearly 400 members of the national media who cover fantasy sports.

The complete finish of the FSWAIIL championship round:

1. New Haven Register/Northeastff.com - Dan Nowak 876.79
2. RapidDraft - Matt Schauf 871.55
3. Fantasy Baseball Tools - Todd Lammi 867.35
4. Fantasy Insights - Pete Smits 844.40
5. Fantasy Football Trader - Jon Rascom 814.04
6. Team Mike Jones 813.23
7. BFDFantasyfootball - Lou Tranquilli 807.40
8. Fans Fantasy Football - Ken Zalis 801.36
9. CBSSports - Jamey Eisenberg 788.61
10. KFFL - Tim Heaney 784.67
11. BabyBlueMonkey.com - Erik Dell 762.31
12. ESPN - Pierre Becquey 760.57
13. KFFL - Cory Bonini 749.60
14. FanBall - Mark Hooper 740.77
15. FFToolbox.com - John Benson 736.10
16. The Scores Report - Jamey Codding 724.68
17. Team Bob Harris 724.19
18. Rotowire - Derek VanRiper 700.67
19. Fantasy Sharks - Jim Bukowski 697.95
20. Footballguys - Sigmund Bloom 644.51