With only two regular season weeks to go in most fantasy football leagues, how many of you guys have playoff spots locked up?

Personally, I have a ticket to the postseason punched in two of my six leagues. My magic number is one in a few of the others, and I still have some work to do in a couple. But not being mathematically eliminated in any of the leagues is very exciting! I hope several of you are in the same predicament.

Back to the action on the real football field, there are a few key fantasy stars who may not see the field this weekend.

Cleveland’s Kellen Winslow injured his shoulder on what became the game-winning drive against Buffalo on Monday night. The team is calling it a shoulder sprain and Winslow has been been able to put in practice yet this week. Hopefully he will get in some limited action today and be ready to go on Sunday.

In New Orleans, Reggie Bush was expected by some to return last weekend, but the Saints opted to hold him out. At 5-5 with the season on the brink, the Saints absolutely need to defeat Green Bay, also 5-5, on Monday Night Football. I think this being as must-win a game as there is, Bush will suit up and play in the national spotlight.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, however, Bush’s status might not be known until Monday. It would be in most owner’s best interest to bench Bush unless they also have Pierre Thomas on the roster.

Start ‘em

Quarterbacks

• Tyler Thigpen v. Bills: This could be the last week Thigpen is mentioned in this list, because if he keeps putting up QB1 numbers he will be an automatic start until the end of the season. If you have a risky option at QB, it would be a great time to go with the hot hand.
• Jeff Garcia @ Lions: Without Earnest Graham, the Bucs will rely a little more on Garcia’s arm than usual. I think this is particularly true in the redzone, especially with the diminutive Warrick Dunn as the team’s top running back.

Runningbacks

• Jamal Lewis v. Texans: It could be a cold and snowy affair in Cleveland this weekend, which suits Lewis to a tee. Regardless, the Browns have recommitted to the running game with Lewis and Jerome Harrison and this should be an exploitable match up.
• Derrick Ward @ Cardinals: If Jacobs does not go, Ward will get the lionshare of the touches. He has proven to be more than capable behind the best rushing line in football.

Wide receivers

• Terrell Owens v. 49ers: Owens loves exacting revenge against former teams. So if there ever was a week for him to break the slump, this would be it.
• Bernard Berrian @ Jaguars: Berrian has cooled off recently, but he can get the jets going again this weekend against a susceptible pass defense. If the Vikings want to remain in contention, they will need more than just Adrian Peterson on offense.

Tight end

• Dallas Clark @ Chargers: Now it is Clark’s turn to victimize the Chargers porous secondary. Peyton Manning and Co. should have a field day out in SoCal.

Sit ‘em

Quarterbacks

• Donovan McNabb @ Ravens: First he did not know that NFL games could end in a tie and now he gets to face a defense that needs to avenge a miserable performance against the Giants last weekend. Going on the road to Baltimore is never easy and the pressure will be on McNabb to keep the Eagles afloat.
• Matt Ryan v. Panthers: The rookie finds himself in the thick of the playoff hunt, and it could be the end of his party. Ryan’s toughness will be tested in this game from all angles by the Panthers’ pass rush, which could make it a long day for the Falcons.

Runningbacks

• Brandon Jacobs @ Cardinals: As much of a stud as Jacobs has been for his fantasy owners, his playing status this week is super questionable. He keeps saying that he will play, yet he has not participated fully in practice this week. I am staying away from the big boy this weekend as the Giants have other weapons — Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw — to use in the running game.
• Reggie Bush v. Packers: It will be hard to sit Bush in the national spotlight, but owners should be wary of his first game back from the knee injury. Besides, his status for MNF will not be known until the day of the game, and few fantasy owners can take that risk on such an important week of the fantasy regular season.

Wide receivers

• Brandon Marshall v. Raiders: Marshall draws the unfortunate assignment against the best cover corner back in the NFL. Just look at how well Steve Smith or other big name receivers did this season against the Raiders. Most did not fare so well because of the talented Nnamdi Asomugha.
• Marques Colston v. Packers: Same rings true for Colston. The Packers defensive backfield has been stifling opponent’s best receivers all year. If the Saints are going to throw the ball effectively, it will have to be to someone other than Colston.

Tight end

• Vernon Davis @ Cowboys: Two touchdowns in two weeks, but on only two catches. I like the production but am not ready to start the guy yet. Hopefully he starts catching more passes between the 20s.

For more great fantasy roster advice this week, including a plethora of Start & Sit links and consensus rankings, head over to the Fantasy Football Librarian. Don’t forget to grab your library card.