Week 13 of the MLB Fantasy League

The playoffs are here for the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com, and it came down to the final week of the season for a couple of owners.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand earned the final wild card spot with a victory against Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle in Week 13, which knocked Buehrle out of the playoffs. New York Mets third baseman David Wright, despite losing in Week 13, also earned a wild card spot.

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner made the biggest comeback to make the playoffs after a 1-6 start. He finished 6-7 and made a crucial trade of Matt Forte and Jonathan Stewart for Brian Westbrook at midseason. He also traded Leon Washington to get Donnie Avery.

He faces former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matt Clement, who earned the No. 1 seed in the National Division, in the first round. Rowand faces Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux, the No. 2 seed in the National Division.

In the American Division, Wright faces Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan, the top seed. And Seattle Mariners pitcher Jarrod Washburn, the No. 2 seed, faces No. 3 seed Alex Riethmiller, who is representing CBSSports.com.

It's been a fun league to follow, and we'll keep you posted on how it finishes over the next three weeks.

In Week 13 action ...

Aaron Rowand is like a lot of Fantasy Football owners heading into Week 13. He needs a win to make the playoffs.

Rowand, an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, has won the past two games after starting 4-6 and is tied with Mark Buehrle (6-6) and David Wright (6-6) for two of the final three playoff spots in the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com. Rowand and Buehrle face each other this week.

The top three seeds in each division get into the playoffs with two wild card spots from either division. B.J. Ryan (11-1) is the No. 1 seed in the American Division, and Jarrod Washburn (7-5) and CBSSports.com's Alex Riethmiller (7-5) are assured of spots based on total points. Matt Clement (7-5) and Greg Maddux (7-5) have clinched spots in the National Division, with their seeding still to be determined.

That leaves Wright and Rowand fighting for the final seed in the National Division, and the loser can still get into the playoffs as a wild card depending on what happens. Buehrle would get a wild card spot if he beats Rowand.

But Travis Hafner (5-7), Michael Cuddyer (5-7), Eric Hinske (5-7) and Brad Lidge (5-7) are still alive, which is Rowand wants to beat Buehrle and secure a spot. Only Ben Sheets (4-8) and Doug Mientkiewicz (3-9) have been eliminated.

"It makes it more exciting," Rowand said. "It's all gravy from where I started. I stunk the first six weeks. I'm just happy to have a chance to make the playoffs."

Rowand has overcome injuries and poor play with his Fantasy Football team to get this far. His team includes Ben Roethlisberger, Steven Jackson, Bernard Berrian, Marvin Harrison, Braylon Edwards and Jeremy Shockey, who have all been flawed this season.

He also has DeAngelo Williams, Antonio Bryant, Adam Vinatieri and the Steelers DST. He said his team has a chance if Jackson can get healthy and Roethlisberger finishes strong.

"The hardest part has been keeping players healthy," Rowand said. "In a league that thin, it's hard to make moves."

Rowand has been playing Fantasy Football for more than 10 years and won four championships. He started with friends in junior high school and plays in three leagues this season, including one with the Giants.

He's dealt with injuries in that league also and lost his two quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Vince Young, in Week 1. Some of the Giants who play in that league are Randy Wynn, Dave Roberts, Bengie Molina and Rich Aurilia. Rowand said Roberts is running away with the league while he is 4-8.

Rowand is a Fantasy Football junkie. Every Sunday he will sit in front of his TV with his computer open "checking Fantasy Football updates. It's fun."

This week, however, Rowand will be sweating out the matchup with Buehrle. If Rowand wins, he's in, and he likes that kind of excitement.

In Week 12 action ...

If you're in any one of Matt Clement's Fantasy Football leagues, stop reading now. He's about to give away his trade secrets.

Clement, a former pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, follows a common strategy of always taking running backs with his first two picks. But he doesn't stop there.

Clement will typically take running backs with four of his first five picks. He will mix in an elite wide receiver, but he wants running back depth for the entire season.

"My philosophy is to always take running backs," Clement said. "Eventually, people will come looking for trades."

Clement has followed this strategy every year he has been playing Fantasy Football, which goes back to when the 34-year-old right-hander was in junior high school. He went with that strategy again in this year's Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com.

Clement, who lost in the finals last year, has made the playoffs in this league every year since it started in 2005. This year, he went with Marion Barber, Reggie Wayne, Willis McGahee, Selvin Young and Ricky Williams with his first five picks. He then took Ray Rice in Round 7 and Tim Hightower in Round 12.

Aside from his running backs, his favorite pick was taking Kurt Warner in the final round. The draft was before Warner was named the starter, so Clement took a chance a move could happen. That pick has helped Clement go into Week 12 in first place in the National Division at 7-4.

"I just had a feeling with Warner," Clement said. "I had a chance of hitting the jackpot, and that move has held my team together."

Clement has been frustrated with McGahee, Young and Williams. He recently dropped Young but added him again with the chance he could play a role with the Broncos down the stretch.

He hit the jackpot again when Hightower was named the starter in Arizona, and Clement has also done well on the waiver wire with Antonio Pittman, Bo Scaife and Lance Moore as his third receiver behind Wayne and Lee Evans.

Clement should make the playoffs again, and he's confident in his team. He sees Barber about to get hot with Tony Romo back, Wayne ready for a strong finish with Peyton Manning and Warner having an MVP-type season. He also feels he can get enough from Evans, Hightower, McGahee, Moore and Scaife to compete with any team in the league.

"I have some streaky players," Clement said. "It all hinges on what happens with McGahee and Hightower."

Clement also plays Fantasy Basketball, and he's in two leagues this year. He doesn't have a point guard theory or anything like that, but he likes Fantasy Basketball because it gives him "something to follow every day."

Still, football is his passion when it comes to Fantasy sports. And getting running backs -- and lots of them -- is his key to success.

In Week 11 action ...

We've found a few diehard fans through the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com, but Eric Hinske might be the most dedicated.

Hinske, an outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, plays in seven leagues this season. He has been playing Fantasy Football since 2001, and he puts in the time to make sure his teams have a chance to succeed.

Hinske said he spends about two hours a day checking lineups, looking for free agents and trades and reading news on players. It's obvious he doesn't like to lose.

"My wife yells at me all the time," Hinske said. "But it's a fun way to compete."

Hinske plays in several leagues with other baseball players. There is a league with the Rays, including B.J. Upton, Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Troy Percival and Cliff Floyd, and Hinske is 8-2 with a lineup of Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Jamal Lewis and Marques Colston.

He also plays in a league with current and former Milwaukee Brewers and a league with former Cincinnati Reds. And he's in two salary-cap leagues with other baseball players, and Hinske likes the challenge of managing those teams with the right amount of money.

Hinske is a Fantasy geek.

"It runs my life in the offseason," he said. "It's fun. But there are so many leagues, sometimes I can't keep track."

Hinske's strategy for Fantasy Football is to get as much running back depth as possible and make trades later in the season. It worked in the Rays' league where he traded DeAngelo Williams to get Colston.

He won three Fantasy leagues last year and has made the playoffs almost every season. He said right now he's "doing well in every other league" but the MLB one.

He's 4-6 in that league, but he's looking forward to the challenge of still making a playoff run. His team features a lineup of Jay Cutler, Ryan Grant, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jerricho Cotchery, Donald Driver and Mark Bradley. He also has Joe Flacco, Justin Fargas, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Vincent Jackson on his bench.

Hinske would have a lot of ground to make up in the standings since he's currently in last place in the American Division and six games behind Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan (10-0). But he's tied with Minnesota Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer and Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner, so a win streak to close the season could put Hinske in contention.

"That's the best part for me," Hinske said of trying to make the playoffs. "All you have to do is make the playoffs and get hot. You never know what can happen if you get in."

That's what happened with Hinske in his day job. He helped the Rays make the World Series before losing to the Philadelphia Phillies.

As we've talked about before, Hinske struck out for the final out of the World Series against Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who also plays in the MLB league. The following week, Hinske and Lidge met in a Fantasy game, with Lidge winning again.

"It was kind of funny," Hinske said. "Hey, he was perfect all season. What can you do?"

Hinske would like to meet Lidge (5-5) again in Fantasy Football, which would only happen in the playoffs. But that would be just fine for Hinske.

That would mean all those hours working on his Fantasy team would have paid off.

In Week 10 action ...

Brad Lidge knows how he will celebrate his first Fantasy Football championship, which could happen this year. He is ready for the moment.

Lidge, the closer for the Philadelphia Phillies, will watch the clock tick down for the win in the Fantasy Football title game, drop to his knees and scream to the heavens. Then he'll wait for his teammates to pile on him.

"Absolutely," Lidge said of the celebration. "Then we'll pour champagne all over each other, do some interviews and enjoy the moment."

If the scene sounds familiar, it's how Lidge and the Phillies celebrated when he struck out Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Eric Hinske for the final out of the World Series. The only bad part for Lidge was being on the bottom of the pile.

It didn't help that teammate Ryan Howard, who's built like a linebacker, was one of the first players to tackle him.

"If I wasn't so happy he probably would have rung my bell a little bit," Lidge said.

Lidge is hoping for that celebratory moment in one or both of his Fantasy Football leagues this year. He's made the playoffs several times but has yet to win a title.

He plays in one league with members of the Phillies, including Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Geoff Jenkins and Chad Durbin. Lidge is 5-4 in that league, with a roster led by Kurt Warner, Marion Barber, Earnest Graham, Greg Jennings and Braylon Edwards.

Lidge is also a member of the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com. If you've been following along with this series, you know Hinske is also in the league.

Days after Lidge struck out Hinske to win the World Series, he beat him in a Fantasy game in Week 9, 100-88.5. Lidge improved to 4-5 while Hinske fell to 3-6.

Lidge said with the strike out and the Fantasy victory, he has bragging rights on Hinske for a while. But Lidge said Hinske "hit a laser off me" in a previous at-bat, so all Lidge can really do is talk trash about Fantasy Football.

Lidge would like to talk trash to the entire league after winning a championship. He wants another trophy to go along with his World Series ring.

This year, Lidge was counting on Tony Romo before he broke his finger. Now, Lidge has had to scramble at quarterback.

He's going with Tyler Thigpen, which has worked out the past two weeks, and a solid collection of running backs, including Ronnie Brown, Steve Slaton and Jamal Lewis. His wide receivers are Plaxico Burress, Muhsin Muhammad and Chad Johnson, and his tight end is Zach Miller.

Lidge knows he will need some breaks, but he's confident in his team.

"I've got a good chance to go to the playoffs," Lidge said. "I just need Romo to come back and do what he does."

This week, Lidge is facing Mark Buehrle. Lidge said he spends about four nights a week checking projections and reading news, and hopefully his homework will pay off.

All Lidge wants is a championship. He's experienced one for his day job, and now he wants a title for one of his favorite hobbies.

"The World Series is the ultimate championship," Lidge said. "But Fantasy Football would be the second-greatest accomplishment."

In Week 9 action ...

So you think the drama unfolded Wednesday night in Philadelphia? You think that was pressure? You don't even know the half of it.

With two outs in the top of the ninth inning in Game 5 of the World Series, Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge faced off against Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Eric Hinske. Lidge was trying to finish off the championship. Hinske was trying to get on base to keep the series alive.

Both were thinking about their Fantasy Football teams. Wait, what?

While it's doubtful Hinske and Lidge were focused on Fantasy Football at that moment, it's not the last time the two will meet in a competitive arena this week. Hinske and Lidge play each other in Week 9 of the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com.

Hinske will be looking for revenge after Lidge struck him out and won the World Series. But even if Hinske wins, it's not like he'll drop to his knees in celebration like Lidge did on the mound. Or maybe he will, who knows.

Both owners need a victory here to stay in the playoff chase. Hinske (3-5) is No. 6 in the American Division behind Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan (8-0), and Hinske has a lot of ground to make up.

Hinske's team is led by Jay Cutler, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ryan Grant, Jerricho Cotchery and Donald Driver. He has Vincent Jackson on a bye, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is his flex option. My advice would be to switch Justin Fargas with Green-Ellis.

Lidge (3-5) is No. 4 in the National Division behind former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matt Clement (5-3), and Lidge also needs to finish the season strong to have a chance. It won't be easy with New York Mets third baseman David Wright and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux (4-4) in his way.

Lidge drafted well, but his team has dealt with injuries (Tony Romo's broken finger) and inconsistent play from Jamal Lewis, Plaxico Burress and Chad Johnson. He's going with quarterback Tyler Thigpen to replace Romo with Ronnie Brown and Steve Slaton at running back and Michael Pittman as his flex option.

While this isn't the premier matchup in the league this week, it does have the most drama because of the previous encounter in the World Series. The stakes are a little different now, but the competition and will to win remains the same.

We'll find out Sunday if Lidge can strike out Hinske once again.

In Week 8 action ...

Greg Maddux is a Fantasy geek, and he's not afraid to admit it. He loves most Fantasy sports.

Maddux, the future Hall of Fame pitcher, who just helped the Los Angeles Dodgers reach the National League Championship Series, plays Fantasy Football, Fantasy Golf and Fantasy Baseball with his son.

He's been doing football the longest, but it's not his best Fantasy sport.

"I do a lot better in Fantasy Golf," Maddux said. "I don't take it serious at all. It's fun. It makes the games more exciting."

He does Fantasy Baseball with his 11-year-old son, Chase. He said Fantasy sports has helped Chase with his math, and it's also helped Maddux with his day job.

Maddux said playing Fantasy Baseball is like another form of scouting, and he would encourage more Major League players to do it. He doesn't play for money, but he said it's another way for him to keep up with the rest of the players in the league.

"It's all numbers," Maddux said. "It does keep you up with who is healthy and who is playing well, things like that. You know when players come into the league and when they are called up and how they do."

Maddux has done well in Fantasy Baseball.

"I usually dominate," he said with a laugh. "I've done OK. It's a lot like the real game. If you have good pitching you win."

Maddux applies a similar strategy to Fantasy Football. He feels if you have a good quarterback you win.

That's how Maddux won the inaugural Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League championship on CBSSports.com in 2005. He had Peyton Manning, who led Maddux to the title.

This year, Maddux is relying on another pair of quality quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning. The rest of his team is Marshawn Lynch, Darren McFadden and Dominic Rhodes at running back, Santonio Holmes and Chris Chambers at wide receiver, Owen Daniels at tight end, Stephen Gostkowski at kicker and the Bears DST.

He's 3-4 and in the middle of the pack of the National Division, but he could be contending for another title. He's confident Rodgers can lead the way.

"I remember talking to football players in the past, and they said if the system is good the quarterback should be good," Maddux said. "Not to take anything away from Brett Favre, but I felt that way with Green Bay. The system is good, and I figured Rodgers would be good also."

Despite playing Fantasy Football for several years, including leagues with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres, Maddux said he is still learning the game. He's still working on the right draft strategy with running backs and wide receivers and when to take the quarterback he wants.

He also isn't a big waiver wire guy and only makes moves "when I'm desperate." But he pays attention during the week and watches games on Sunday.

After all, he's a Fantasy geek. And judging by his baseball career, he knows a thing or two about winning, so he should end up just fine.

In Week 7 action ...

Mark Buehrle knows something about comebacks. His White Sox had to win three games in a row against three different teams just to make the playoffs this year.

Buehrle, a left-handed pitcher, is hoping for a similar ending for his Fantasy team.

Buehrle is 2-4 through six weeks in the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com. It is his first year in the league, but Buehrle is hopeful he can still make the playoffs.

"I think there's an opportunity," Buehrle said. "The teams in front of me, if I have a couple of good weeks and the guys in front of me don't do so well, I can sneak in there and make the playoffs. Once the bye weeks are over I should be good with my starting lineup."

Buehrle likes his team. His regular starters are Peyton Manning, Larry Johnson, Julius Jones, Steve Smith, Laveranues Coles and the Vikings DST. He rotates his flex option between Devin Hester, Matt Jones and Correll Buckhalter, who he picked up when Brian Westbrook got hurt, but tight end has been a problem with Vernon Davis and Visanthe Shiancoe.

He feels a little unlucky so far and had a close loss last week to Mariners pitcher Jarrod Washburn, 123-116. Buehrle also didn't feel lucky getting the last pick in the 14-team league

"I'm supposed to finish last with the last pick," Buehrle joked. "I'm seventh on the overall points scored. It's just bad matchups against guys who had good weeks. The weeks I score a lot of points my opponent does also."

Buehrle also plays in three other Fantasy leagues, including one with the White Sox, which features Paul Konerko, Bobby Jenks, John Danks and A.J. Pierzynski. Buehrle said Pierzynski, as expected, talks the most trash.

Buehrle is 1-5 in the White Sox league. In his two other leagues with friends and relatives, he's 6-0 and 5-1.

He said he didn't draft for himself in those leagues, and the results have obviously been better.

"I need to let the computer do my picking from now on," Buehrle said.

Even with his lack of success so far this year, Buehrle is an informed Fantasy owner. He spends about an hour a day looking at his Fantasy teams with matchups and trade offers.

On Sunday, he watches games with his computer on while he checks his leagues.

"You have to get on there and keep up," Buehrle said. "You don't want to get embarrassed with your team getting bad."

Buehrle still has confidence in his team. He sees Manning coming around, Smith is in full gear following his suspension and Buckhalter could be a steal if Westbrook remains out.

Johnson, however, is hurting Buehrle's team because of his poor play and suspension this week against the Titans. This week, Buehrle plays Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets (2-4) with Mewelde Moore in place of Johnson.

Johnson being out won't just hurt Buehrle's Fantasy team -- the Chiefs are his favorite NFL team. He is a Missouri native and has rooted for the Chiefs since he was a kid.

Maybe if Buehrle is lucky, the Chiefs can stage an improbable comeback also. Then again, sometimes Fantasy Football can be better than reality.

In Week 6 action ...

Michael Cuddyer is having the same nightmare as several Fantasy owners this year -- what to do with Brian Westbrook.

Cuddyer, the Minnesota Twins outfielder, won't have Westbrook in Week 6 when he faces Travis Hafner in the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com. Westbrook is out with broken ribs.

Cuddyer is also without Carson Palmer (elbow) this week and could be without Kellen Winslow (illness). Before all the news happened, Cuddyer has been trying to trade Palmer, Westbrook, Winslow, LeRon McClain, Santana Moss and Roy Williams by putting them "On the Block" in the league.

The only player he won't trade right now is Reggie Bush.

"I'm trying to do something to get some production," Cuddyer said.

He's 2-3 right now and coming off his best win of the season in Week 5. Cuddyer beat his friend, Mets third baseman David Wright, which was Wright's only loss this year.

After the win was secured Monday night with Bush playing well against Minnesota, Cuddyer sent Wright a text message.

"I have bragging rights now," Cuddyer said. "It's nice. Just one more thing to hold over his head."

Cuddyer, however, is concerned about his team, especially with Westbrook's injury. He said Bush is solid, he likes his receivers in Moss and Williams and said McClain is a good flex option.

But he doesn't have much depth and will likely have to start Derrick Ward and Chad Pennington this week with Westbrook and Palmer out. He knows that's not going to win a championship, and Cuddyer is trying to get back to the title game after losing in the inaugural year to Greg Maddux in 2005.

Cuddyer also plays in a Fantasy Football league with players from the Twins, and he loves the competition. He said he spends about three hours a week looking at news and roster grids "trying to finagle some trades."

"It allows you to get away from baseball for a minute and think about other things," Cuddyer said. "We all think we can be a general manager, right?"

Cuddyer was a good Fantasy GM in the Twins league, which includes manager Rod Gardenhire, Joe Nathan, Delmon Young and Boof Bonser. Gardenhire won the league last year.

Cuddyer just traded Earnest Graham, Torry Holt and DeSean Jackson to get LaDainian Tomlinson and Wes Welker. He now has Tomlinson, Marion Barber and Steven Jackson as his running backs, and Welker, Dwayne Bowe and Roddy White are his receivers. His quarterback is Philip Rivers, and Cuddyer is 3-2 in that league.

That was a bold trade, but his running back corps is solid. He doesn't have any worries there.

But in the MLB league, Westbrook has been frustrating. Cuddyer would do anything to trade Westbrook for an upgrade just to end the nightmare of worrying every week if he will play.

In Week 5 action ...

There's a reason Jarrod Washburn typically makes the Fantasy Football playoffs most years. He's the type of owner who stays on top of the news and ahead of the rest of his league.

For example, Washburn picked up Amani Toomer two weeks ago when an owner dropped him, and now Washburn is starting him in Week 5 with Plaxico Burress suspended. He also picked up Brady Quinn last week when news broke that Derek Anderson could be benched, even though Washburn already has Drew Brees and Brett Favre.

And this week, Washburn added Najeh Davenport off the waiver wire when he was signed by the Steelers. With Willie Parker (knee) and Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder) injured, Davenport could be a decent reserve option down the road.

Washburn, a pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, knows these are the type of moves that help Fantasy owners succeed.

"I'm hoping some of the moves work out," Washburn said. "We'll see."

It's worked so far, as Washburn is 3-1 and trailing only Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan (4-0) in the American Division of the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com. This week, Washburn and Ryan face each other, so first place is on the line.

Washburn is confident in his team. He has Brees, Clinton Portis, Thomas Jones, DeSean Jackson, Dwayne Bowe and Jason Witten as his regular starters. Favre will give him some trade options, and he backed up Portis with Ladell Betts.

Washburn was concerned with his receivers coming into the season, but Jackson and Bowe have been solid.

"I got lucky with those two guys," Washburn said.

Washburn could be undefeated now, but he lost by four points against Greg Maddux in Week 3. He's also 3-1 in his other Fantasy league with the Mariners, which includes J.J. Putz, Sean Green and Brian LaHair.

Washburn previously played with Angels, and he said one of the best Fantasy owners he ever competed against was former teammate Darin Erstad. But Washburn said the MLB League is tough because all 14 owners draft well and are on top of the waiver wire.

"There are some real good teams," said Washburn, who spends about five hours a week looking at Fantasy news during baseball season and about two hours when the season ends. "Injuries will determine who is on top at the end."

Washburn isn’t worried about his Fantasy team, but his favorite NFL team is a concern. Washburn is a diehard Packers fan, and after losing the past two games, Washburn is hoping for a better result in Week 5 against Atlanta.

Like most of Green Bay, Washburn wants Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) to be OK. Washburn doesn’t want to see rookie quarterbacks in Matt Flynn or Brian Brohm playing against the Falcons.

"I don’t think the rookies are ready," Washburn said. "My only concern coming into the year wasn’t Rodgers, it was his backups. I'm just worried about Rodgers' durability."

If only Washburn could manage the Packers like he does his own Fantasy team. He would have planned ahead to give Green Bay a more secure backup option.

In Week 4 action ...

B.J. Ryan might be the closer for the Toronto Blue Jays, but he's just like every other Fantasy Football owner out there. The bye weeks hurt him, too.

Ryan is a member of the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com. He's off to a 3-0 start and leading the American Division, but this could be a tough week for him.

Ryan is without his top two running backs in Joseph Addai and Brandon Jacobs, who are on a bye in Week 4. Without those two standout rushers, Ryan is going with LenDale White and Andre Hall.

"It's tough in this league," Ryan said. "If you have two guys that have the same bye, you have to hope for a good start. It's hard with a 14-team league, and these guys are on top of it. There's backups going in the draft and not a whole lot left on the waiver wire. But I don't need to make any moves. I have a couple of subs I can play."

Ryan faces Eric Hinske (1-2) this week, and Hinske is only missing his starting tight end in John Carlson, who is on a bye. Hinske has solid starters in Jay Cutler, Ryan Grant, Maurice Jones-Drew, Chris Perry, Jerricho Cotchery and Donald Driver, so Ryan could be in trouble.

Ryan will counter with Donovan McNabb, Anquan Boldin, Andre Johnson, Roddy White and his backup running backs. Ryan is confident he can be competitive this week.

One surprise for Ryan has been Boldin, who comes into Week 4 as the No. 1 receiver in Fantasy Football with 17 catches for 247 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan drafted Boldin in Round 4, and the move has paid off.

"I know Fitzgerald is the better of the two," Ryan said. "But they throw it a lot, and someone has to catch it. I didn't expect it, but sometimes you just get lucky."

Spoken like a true Fantasy Football fan.

Ryan has been playing for about five years and is in four leagues this year, including one with the Blue Jays, which features Vernon Wells and Shaun Marcum. Ryan is undefeated in his other leagues, but he's 0-3 with the Blue Jays.

"It's the worst team I've ever had," Ryan said.

At least his other leagues are making up for it. Now all Ryan has to do is make it through the bye week in this league, and then he gets Addai and Jacobs back and can continue to romp.

But Ryan is not overconfident. Like every Fantasy owner, Ryan knows it's a long season and a lot can change.

"You just have to hope your guys stay healthy and you can sneak into the playoffs," Ryan said. "Just keep your fingers crossed and hope no one gets hurt. I have a good team. We'll see what happens."

In Week 3 action ...

Travis Hafner wasn't sure about his Fantasy Football team coming into the season. After all, when you're doing the draft over the phone, it's hard to get a grasp for how it will turn out.

But after Week 2, Hafner is feeling pretty good. The Cleveland Indians slugger put up the highest score of the season with a 164-84 victory against pitcher Matt Clement in the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com.

Hafner is now 1-1, and he's ready for his team to take off.

"Yeah, I don't know if I was crazy about my team," Hafner said. "I had a lot of young guys. I see the chemistry on my team starting to come together."

Hafner had to draft his team while on a rehab assignment in Buffalo. They were on the bus going to a game, and the commissioner had to call him with updates on the picks.

He started off with Adrian Peterson, Marques Colston, Calvin Johnson, Matt Forte, Jonathan Stewart and Jon Kitna with his first six picks. He had to start Anthony Gonzalez, who he took in Round 8, with Colston (thumb) out, and the move paid off with Gonzalez playing well at Minnesota. Hafner also picked up Tony Scheffler and started him, which was another good transaction.

Hafner is a Fantasy expert after playing in leagues the last four years, including a league with other members of the Indians. He has won that league the last two years.

"I have trash talking rights for a while," said Hafner, whose competition on the Indians league includes Grady Sizemore, Ben Francisco and Kelly Shoppach.

Hafner, who is a Browns fan, plays in four leagues, and this is his first year in the MLB Fantasy Football League. He said the Indians league is the most important because he sees those guys all the time.

Hafner said there's a lot of pride on the line.

"When you walk into clubhouse from time you leave, guys are always talking trades," Hafner said. "It’s a lot of trash talking."

Hafner also wants to win this league for bragging rights. He said the trash talking hasn’t been as bad as he expected, and he hasn’t started to stir things up -- yet.

He's waiting for another good performance like he had in Week 2.

"It's my first year in the league, so I'll sit back and wait to chime in, especially if I'm doing good," he said.

It appears Hafner is on his way to competing for a title. He said three of his four Fantasy leagues have a chance to win a championship, and he plans on making several transactions because "I'm a big trade guy."

If his Fantasy team plays like it did in Week 2, Hafner might not have to do much to improve his squad. The rest of the league might be in trouble.

"I'm starting to like it more and more," Hafner said. "I think it’s a playoff team. I do like the potential of it."

In Week 2 action ...

David Wright had two reasons to beat Brad Lidge this past week with Philadelphia in New York for an important three-game series. Of course, there's that heated battle in the National League East between the Mets and Phillies, but that's secondary here.

Wright was trying to knock off Lidge in a Fantasy Football game. The two are part of the Major League Baseball Fantasy Football League on CBSSports.com.

Now, we're kidding that Wright is more concerned about his Fantasy game than beating the Phillies. But Wright takes Fantasy Football as seriously as all of you. Maybe more.

Wright has been playing Fantasy Football since 2004, his rookie year with the Mets. He's in three leagues and says he runs "a good day-to-day operation" in checking the waiver wire and staying on top of injuries.

Wright said he looks at stories and information before he leaves home for the ballpark and after games. He's on his league homepages at least twice a day.

One of Wright's leagues is with friends from home in Virginia and the other is with teammates on the Mets, including Billy Wagner, John Maine, Mike Pelfrey and Damion Easley. Wright takes that league more seriously than the other two because of the trash talking.

"The trash talking is through the roof," Wright said. "Guys start preparing months ahead for that league."

Wright estimates that every Major League team has at least one Fantasy league. And some of the best play on CBSSports.com, including Wright, Lidge, Mark Buehrle (White Sox), Matt Clement (Cardinals), Michael Cuddyer (Twins), Travis Hafner (Indians), Eric Hinske (Rays), Greg Maddux (Dodgers), Doug Mientkiewicz (Pirates), Aaron Rowand (Giants), B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays), Ben Sheets (Brewers) and Jarrod Washburn (Mariners) in this 14-team league. Alex Riethmiller, CBSSports.com director of communications, runs the league and is also an owner.

This is the fourth year of the league, with Maddux and Mientkiewicz two of the previous winners. But Wright feels confident he can win this year's title.

He had the first overall pick and took LaDainian Tomlinson. He leaned on wide receivers and tight end with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Torry Holt, Brandon Marshall and Antonio Gates but left himself thin at second running back. At the time of the draft, Rudi Johnson was still with the Bengals, so Wright drafted Johnson and Kenny Watson.

Wright starts Philip Rivers at quarterback, but his favorite pick might be Denver rookie wide receiver Eddie Royal, who Wright started in Week 1. Royal's nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown at Oakland helped him beat Lidge.

The final score was 95-72, so even though the Phillies took two of three games from the Mets, Wright could at least find some solace in his Fantasy team.

"I got a little bit of payback," said Wright, who also hit a double against Lidge on Friday night in the series opener. Lidge got the save in the game.

Wright said his main rivals in the league are Mientkiewicz and Cuddyer. He said Mientkiewicz talks the most trash, and his rivalry with Cuddyer in Fantasy Football is equivalent to "the rivalry with the Mets and Phillies."

Wright just wants to win. And a perfect year for him would be winning the World Series and taking home a Fantasy title.