Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls the play in the huddle against the Detroit Lions defense during the 2nd half at Ford Field. Falcon won 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

For instance, if you’re counting on the likes of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones or Roddy White to carry you this week you’re faced with the possibility of all three not playing a whole lot this week. The Falcons have the #1 seed in the NFC all wrapped up, which leads to you not knowing how much playing time those three players are going to get. Mike Smith has already said he plans on playing today’s game against the Buccaneers with the intention of winning it. But what does that mean? If the Falcons run out to a 21-7 lead after the first quarter will he bench his studs? That’s a likely scenario.

When setting your line-up with worries of how much playing time your guys are going to get you have to decide if a half of Matt Ryan is worth more than a full game of other options like newly named Raiders starting QB Terrelle Pryor. Matt Ryan has taken you so far and a half against the NFL’s worst pass defense could be more than a full game from other fantasy QBs like Pryor. It’ll be an interesting week in the NFL this week and you might want to consider next year playing in a league that ends after Week 16.

Below you’ll find relevant news and information from the NFL that should help you set your line-up for Week 17. Good luck.

• Players already ruled out for Week 17 prior to today include: Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts, RBs Rashad Jennings and Maurice Jones-Drew, Steelers WR Mike Wallace, Jets TE Dustin Keller and QB Greg McElroy, Eagles QB Nick Foles, Bills TE Scott Chandler, Saints RB Pierre Thomas, Browns RB Trent Richardson and QBs Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy, Dolphins WR Davone Bess, and 49ers WR Mario Manningham.
• The Oakland Raiders have named Terrelle Pryor the starting QB versus the San Diego Chargers this week. Raiders head coach Dennis Allen at one point said Pryor wasn’t ready to be the team’s QB and that was earlier in the week! That just goes to show you how bad Matt Leinart is. Pryor is the unknown and it’s best the Raiders find out what he has to offer them and with his running ability that makes him an attractive asset in fantasy football. You should only consider playing him if you have no other options this week and in a league that starts only one QB you should be able to pick up somebody better than Pryor.
• The Eagles are starting Michael Vick at QB this week after Nick Foles was put on season ending IR. Vick is somebody I would actually recommend starting this week against the Giants. One last game as an Eagle allows Vick to audition his services off to potential suitors and there are few better teams he could be doing that against than the lowly pass defense of the New York Giants. It wouldn’t surprise me if a motivated Vick ended up being the highest scoring fantasy QB for the week.
• While it’s not official yet Adam Schefter has tweeted that it’s unlikely Ravens RB Ray Rice will suit up today. That leaves highly capable back-up RB Bernard Pierce to shoulder the running back load for the Ravens today. If you own Rice you hopefully already rostered Pierce. If not pick him up and start him in Rice’s place. UPDATE: Schefter has updated his previous report to state that Ray is indeed active but will be limited to 1-2 series.
• Reports came out late last night/early this morning that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has been cleared to play. He might only have a limited role today but if you’ve held onto Gronkowski this long you play him because there aren’t a whole lot of tight ends better than Gronkowski, even if he’s limited.
• Jaguars RB Montell Owens is inactive. Richard Murphy and Keith Toston will split carries at RB in Owens’ place.
• Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart is inactive.
• TE Brandon Pettigrew is active for the Lions today.
• Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is active.
• Ravens WR Anquan Boldin is inactive.
• Titans WR Kendall Wright is active.
• Falcons WR Roddy White is active.
• Finally, here are a few names to consider picking up today if you’re looking for some needed help:
  -Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders

  -Saints RB Mark Ingram

  -49ers RB LaMichael James (return yards league), TE Delanie Walker (if Vernon Davis is out) and WR Randy Moss.

  -Buffalo Bills TE Dorin Dickerson

  -San Diego Chargers Defense (going up against Pryor)

  -Buffalo Bills Defense (going up against Mark Sanchez)

  -Pittsburgh Steelers Defense (going up against Thaddeus Lewis)

Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is congratulated Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after the game at Ford Field. Falcons won 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy football championship week is taking place for most leagues this week and everything that has happened in the NFL and your fantasy league has led you to this point. You probably don’t need a whole lot of advice if you’ve made it to the final of your league but it never hurts to hear what other people have to say.

Below you’re going to find all the relevant fantasy football information you’ll need for today’s slate of games. Good luck to you!

-Already ruled out prior to today’s games: Dolphins WR Davone Bess, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, Packers WR Jordy Nelson, and Jaguars’ RBs Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings.

-49ers will be without DE Justin Smith, which will make it a lot easier for Marshawn Lynch tonight.

-Packers RB Alex Green is out. With James Starks already ruled out that leaves Ryan Grant as the starting RB for the Packers against the Titans today. If you’re desperate for RB help Grant might be your man.

-Dolphins WR Brian Hartline is active.

-Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow will be active, leaving the Jets with three active QBs when you include newly named starting QB Greg McElroy’s.

-Ravens WR Torrey Smith is expected to play.

-Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart is inactive.

-Saints RB Chris Ivory is inactive.

-Titans WR Kendall Wright is inactive.

-Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is active.

December 9, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs onto the field prior to the Redskins

The biggest news to hit the fantasy football community this week is the late breaking Saturday night report that RG3 won’t be starting today and this morning the report was made official with RG3 being deemed inactive. The good thing about having that information early is that it gives you a chance to alter your line-up without having to wait until the last minute. The bad news is that RG3 is the highest scoring QB in most fantasy football leagues and if you made it to the semi-finals of your league riding RG3 all year long this injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. If you play in a one-QB league and don’t have a back-up on your bench you should be able to pick up a QB like Colin Kaepernick or Russell Wilson. If you’re in a 2-QB league the pickings might be slim and you could only be left with someone like Brady Quinn.

For all you RG3 owners out there I’m sorry for your loss but if you can squeak out a win this week hopefully the week off will do RG3 good and he’ll be back and ready to go in Week 16 for your league’s championship match. Good luck to everybody and below you’ll find some relevant fantasy football news that will help you set your final line-up…

-RG3 is inactive and in his place rookie 4th rounder Kirk Cousins will start. In two relief appearances this season Cousins is 7 for 11 for 137 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. The Redskins play the Browns this week so Cousins isn’t a recommended start and the value of the  team’s other big name fantasy assets, Pierre Garcon and Alfred Morris, could also have their values diminished.

Players already ruled out before today: Bears WR Earl Bennett, Dolphins WR Davone Bess, Saints RB Chris Ivory, Bills RB Fred Jackson, Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Packers WR Jordy Nelson, Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart.

-Falcons WR Roddy White is active and starting.

-Rams WR Danny Amendola is active and starting. This bumps Chris Givens’ value down a bit.

-Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is active and ready to go.

-Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is active.

-Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts is active and will start.

-Browns RB Trent Richardson is active.

Nov 29, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is hit as he throws by Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham (55) in the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

If you were riding your hopes of making the playoffs on the likes of Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Roddy White or Julio Jones you probably didn’t rest easy for the rest of the week. You always gotta start your studs but they don’t always produce studworthy performances. You don’t want to go too bold with your line-up decisions but sometimes you have to think outside the box if you’re desperate.

Below you’ll find all the relevant news and notes happening around the NFL that might have an impact on your final fantasy football line-up for the week. Good luck and may you need to read this article next week!

-Players that have already been ruled before today: Vikings WR Percy Harvin (out for rest of the season), Bears WR Earl Bennett, Jets TE Dustin Keller, Colts RB Donald Brown, Jaguars RB Rashad Jennings (Montell Owens is the Jags starter at RB this week), Eagles QB Mike Vick and RB LeSean McCoy, Packers RB James Stark, Packers WR Jordy Nelson, and Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts.

-Bills WR Stevie Johnson is active.

-Giants WR Hakeem Nicks is expected to play.

-Falcons RB Michael Turner is active.

-Lions WR Mike Thomas is expected to be the team’s primary slot WR.

-Cardinals RB Beanie Wells is expected to play.

-Texans RB Ben Tate is probable for Monday Night. Any Arian Foster owners need to make sure he is on their bench.

-A trio of Patriots pass-catchers have been listed as questionable for Monday’s game versus the Texans: WRs Brandon Lloyd and Wes Welker, and TE Aaron Hernandez. All three should start but only Welker and Hernandez should be starting for you.

-Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is back.

-Texans TE Garret Graham ruled out for Monday night.

-Rams WR Danny Amendola is out.

-Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall is inactive.

-Panthers WR Brandon LaFell and RB Jonathan Stewart are both inactive.

-Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham is active.

-Panthers TE Greg Olsen is active.

-Jets QB Tim Tebow is active; Greg McElroy isn’t.

-Notables players already ruled out before today: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart, Vikings WR Percy Harvin, Jaguars RBs Maurice Jones-Drew and Jalen Parmele, Steelers QBs Ben Roethlisberger, Eagles QB Michael Vick and RB LeSean McCoy, and Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu.

Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

-Raiders RB Darren McFadden is unlikely to play today after initial reports stated otherwise. Continue riding the Marcel Reece train, especially in PPR leagues and in a game where high winds could have an impact on the passing game.

-Seahawks WR Sidney Rice is expected to suit up today against the Bears. Don’t start him as anything more than a WR3 going up against a Bears defense playing in Chicago. UPDATE: Rice is officially active.

-Rams WR Danny Amendola isn’t expected to play today versus the 49ers but we said the same thing about him last week and he ended up playing. Amendola has to be one of the toughest players in the league and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him out on the field today but if the Rams were smart they would give him the day off to continue healing. UPDATE: Amendola is officially out.

-The Cowboys might get back the services of RB DeMarco Murray today but if you own him you should consider continuing to leave him on your bench until you know he’s fully healthy.

-Redskins WR Pierre Garcon put in a full practice yesterday and should be good to go for Monday night’s showdown versus the Giants. He’s a high upside WR3 play who could put up potential WR1 or WR2 numbers. He might not ever get fully healthy rest of the season but as long as he is on the field you should start him with confidence.

-Jets WR Jeremy Kerley is expected to play against the Cardinals.

-If you’re suffering from the Percy Harvin injury blues and have been struggling to find a decent replacement at the WR position for your team you might want to consider Jarius Wright. It looks like Wright will be the team’s slot receiver and should get an increase in targets. In his past two games since replacing Harvin he has totaled 114 yards on ten catches and caught a touchdown in Week 10 against the Lions.

-Detroit Lions WR Titus Young is once again inactive. He’s officially droppable now in all fantasy football leagues. Ryan Broyles is the other WR on the Lions you want on your team.

-Cardinals WR Andrew Roberts, Packers WR Donald Driver and Bears WR Ashlon Jeffrey are all inactive.

-Patriots WR Julian Edelman is active.

-Jets QB Tim Tebow is inactive.

-Bears RB Matt Forte is active

-Colts TE Coby Fleener is active; Dwayne Allen moves down a bit in the TE rankings, as both players will be splitting time at the TE position for the Colts.

November 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. The Texans won 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

However, that doesn’t mean you’ve clinched a win this week, as we still have a lot of football left to play. Below you’ll find the relevant football news and notes that will help you set up your fantasy football line-up for the rest of Week 12….

-Noteworthy names ruled out prior to today: Eagles QB Michael Vick and RB LeSean McCoy, Steelers QBs Byron Leftwich and Ben Roethlisberger, and Raiders RBs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson.

-A few starting QBs: Chad Henne, Brady Quinn, Nick Foles, Ryan Lindley, and Colin Kaepernick. Henne and Kaepernick have highest upsides this week but Kaepernick has the potential to be a top ten fantasy QB this week; take the risk with him if you can.

-Falcons WR Julio Jones is active and starting. The amount he plays will depend on game situations so you might not seem him play a full compliment of snaps. But you have to start him if you own him.

-Colts TE Coby Fleener is once again inactive, giving Dwayne Allen borderline TE1 status going up against the Bills today.

-Giants WR Domenik Hixon is inactive.

-Steelers WR Antonio Brown is inactive. Newly signed WR Plaxico Burress is going to be strictly a red zone target.

-Vikings WR Percy Harvin is inactive.

-Bengals WR Andrew Hawkins is inactive; look for Mohamed Sanu to keep the WR2 job for the Bengals and he makes for a decent WR3/Flex play against the Chiefs.

-Bears QB Jay Cutler is active and starting.

-The Colts have named Vick Ballard the starter today against the Bills and is an intriguing RB2 play. Donald Brown is also active.

-Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas is active, so too is RB Knowshon Moreno and it looks like he might get the chance to be the lead RB. However, Ronnie Hillman has the most upside out of the replacement RBs on the Broncos roster.

-Cardinals RB Beanie Wells is active and will be rotating snaps with La’Rod Stephens-Howling.

-Steelers RBs Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer all active.

-Packers WR Greg Jennings and Rams WR Danny Amendola both unlikely to play this week.

-Jaguars have named Jalen Parmele the starting RB this week; has flex play potential.

November 11, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) is helped from the ground by Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker Ernie Sims (59) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

-Already ruled out before today: Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez, Steelers WR Antonio Brown, Colts TE Coby Fleener, Packers WR Greg Jennings, Texans RB Ben Tate, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, Eagles QB Michael Vick, and Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

-An ankle injury for Falcons WR Julio Jones held him out of practice this week but he will be active today.

-Chargers RB Ryan Mathews is active and expected to start today.

-Jets WR Jeremey Kerley has been cleared to play.

-Bengals WR Andrew Hawkins is inactive. Mohamed Sanu will be starting for the Bengals today and could make for a decent WR3/Flex play if you are desperate.

-Redskins WR Pierre Garcon expected to be active and starting today.

-Texans TE Owen Daniels will be active.

-Look for Saints RB Darren Sproles to miss today’s game per Jay Glazer

-Reports out of Atlanta state that RB Michael Turner will be featured less rest of the season due to his ineffectiveness and the team plans on featuring backups Jason Snelling and Jacquizz Rodgers more going forward.

-Rams WR Chris Givens is active this week.

-Cardinals TE Todd Heap is inactive.

-Packers WR Jordy Nelson is active.

Nov 4, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) carries the ball during the 1st half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

Notable fantasy football names that have already been ruled out for Sunday include Vikings WR Percy Harvin, Saints RB Darren Sproles, Steelers WR Antonio Brown, Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez, Raiders RB Darren McFadden and Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray.

Below you’ll find other relevant fantasy football information you should use to help you set your line-up but for the most part there aren’t a whole lot of injury surprises:

-Texans TE Owen Daniels will be a game time decision. Waiting till the Sunday night game is risky unless you have a viable back-up TE option. If not you’ll be stuck looking at names like Kellen Davis and Tony Moeaki. If James Casey has TE eligibility in your league he could be an intriguing fill-in.

-Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw is active so you can safely start him in your line-up.

-Jake Locker will be starting for the Titans this week and is a viable QB2 or bye-week replacement for Rodgers and RG3.

-Titans WR Kendall Wright is active.

-Rams WR Danny Amendola is back and good to go for the Rams this week.

-Lions WR Titus Young is active

-Bills WR Stevie Johnson is active.

Oct 28 2012; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) runs for a touchdown on this play early in the second quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Here’s the rest of the fantasy football news and notes to know:

-Lions WR Calvin Johnson is active but could be limited.

-Dolphins QB-WR combo of Ryan Tannehill and Brian Hartline are both active.

-Titans WR Kenny Britt is active.

-Colts RB Donald Brown is active.

-Packers WR Jordy Nelson is active.

-Texans TE Owen Daniels is active.

-Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi is active but Josh Gordon will continue to start in his place.

-Panthers WR Brandon LaFell is inactive.

-Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson has been benched in favor of Aldrick Robinson.

-Cowboys WE Dez Bryant is questionable for tonight’s contest against the Falcons. Be wary of starting him and if you have other safer options you should go with them.

October 7, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) prior to kickoff of a game against the San Diego Chargers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

The biggest name you don’t see on that list that could also have a huge impact on your fake football line-up decisions is Saints TE Jimmy Graham. Battling an ankle injury Graham is going to be a true game time decision and with the Saints playing in the Sunday night match-up against the Broncos that means if you decide to wait it out with Graham your options will be limited if he doesn’t suit up. If you have a back-up TE on your squad that you’re comfortable starting like Martellus Bennett or Heath Miller then you should consider putting either one in your line-up. If Graham does end up playing and has a monster game you will lose out on those points but if he doesn’t you’d be sitting with a goose egg. It’s a high risk-high reward situation, as you play Graham no matter what usually. Another option is to see if someone like Joel Dreessen is available on the free agents list in your league and wait till the injury announcements are made later tonight and go with Graham if he starts and Dreessen if he doesn’t.

Now for the rest of the fantasy football news and notes:

-Even though it’s a few weeks earlier than anyone expected he would be back Rams WR Danny Amendola caused quite a stir this week, as there was a chance he might have played this week against the Patriots. In the end though Amendola wasn’t quite ready to come back from his gruesome clavicle injury and will be inactive today. However, if he was willing to test it out today that’s some good news for Amendola owners out there that he might be ready to come back after the team’s Week 9 bye.

-The Giants play the Cowboys today in one of the only two late afternoon games, which means word on their game time decisions won’t be revealed until after the 1pm kickoffs so if you’re waiting to hear on the status of someone like RB Ahmad Bradshaw you might be out of luck if he doesn’t end up playing. For now you can tentatively pencil him into your line-up, as reports are coming out that he’s expected to play. Bradshaw does have a history of playing through injuries so it wouldn’t be that big of a surprise if he does suit up.

-Colts RB Donald Brown is active and expected to return to the Colts’ backfield. Vick Ballard will still be the starter though so this could become a timeshare situation where you want to avoid either player.

-Packers WR Jordy Nelson is inactive today against the Jaguars. Randall Cobb and James Jones both become must starts and it looks like Donald Driver will get more play as well.

-Steelers RB Isaac Redman out again this week. Look for Jonathan Dwyer to be the man again this week for the Steelers with both Redman and Mendenhall out.

-Browns RB Trent Richardson is active today against the Chargers.

-Jags QB Blaine Gabbert is active and will start today but he’ll be without the team’s prized off-season acquisition WR Laurent Robinson.

-Dolphins will activate WR Jabar Gaffney today.

-Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi is again inactive, which means Josh Gordon gets a chance to add to his touchdown streak.

-Lions WR Titus Young is active.

Oct 7, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw celebrates the 41-27 victory against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Now that we got those fantasy football injury headlines out of the way let’s get on to the rest of today’s relevant news that will help you dominate your fantasy league:

-Redskins WR Pierre Garcon is out.

-Saints TE Jimmy Graham is out.

-Packers WR Greg Jennings is out.

-Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb is out. John Skelton will be the person deemed healthy enough to throw footballs to Larry Fitzgerald today for the Cardinals.

-Colts RB Donald Brown is out.

-Patriots RB Brandon Bolden is out.

-Titans QB Jake Locker is out.

-Steelers RBs Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman are both out. Look to Jonathan Dwyer to start but he will likely split carries with Baron Batch and Chris Rainey.

-Browns RB Trent Richardson is active.

-Bucs WR Vincent Jackson is active and starting.

-Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi is out, which gives Josh Gordon another start.

-Vikings WR Jerome Simpson is active.

-Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray is out. Felix Jones should get bulk of work but watch out for Philip Tanner.

So let’s start with the most current information we have on those two players. According to Adam Schefter RG3 will be starting today against the Vikings so you can pencil him into your line-up. The Vikings have been a surprisingly good defensive unit this season but if RG3 goes back to doing what he did before getting knocked out of the Falcons’ game last week he has the potential to be a top-5 fantasy QB.

Oct 7, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) attempts a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at FedEX Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

Hernandez’s situation is a little less clear. Reports state he will play but is listed as questionable and even if he does play he’ll be limited in action. You never know with Belichick and perhaps Hernandez could end up as a decoy or not be active at all. If you’ve been banking on Hernandez’s return you have to start him, especially if you have no other option at the TE position. Just don’t expect a lot of production.