Here’s a look at my positional power rankings for the players and teams that are left in the playoffs. This year’s stats accounted for a lot but at the end of the day it’s my opinion on who I’d suit up today for the best chance at winning.

Quarterbacks

1 – Aaron Rodgers (GB)

2 – Drew Brees (NO)

3 – Tom Brady (NE)

4 – Eli Manning (NYG)

5 – Matthew Stafford (DET)

6 – Matt Ryan (ATL)

* I gave 6 here since the first 3 were fairly obvious (if not their respective places in that top 3)

Running Backs

1 – Ray Rice (BAL)

2 – Arian Foster (HOU)

3 – Michael Turner (ATL)

4 – Frank Gore (SF)

5 – Darren Sproles (NO)

Wide Receivers

1 – Calvin Johnson (DET)

2 – Andre Johnson (HOU)

3 – AJ Green (CIN)

4 – Victor Cruz (NYG)

5 – Wes Welker (NE)

6 – Roddy White (ATL)

7 – Greg Jennings (GB)

8 – Jordy Nelson (GB)

9 – Mike Wallace (PIT)

10 – Hakeem Nicks (NYG)

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco heard the boos on his home turf today. Everyone heard the boos. Nestor asked Flacco his reaction to the fans’ disapproval at the abysmal first-half play of the offense:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH3JUbNnnnA[/youtube]

1. Tom Brady

2. Peyton Manning

3. Aaron Rodgers

4. Ben Roethlisberger

5. Drew Brees

6. Philip Rivers

7. Eli Manning

8. Michael Vick

9. Matt Ryan

10. Joe Flacco

11. Matt Schaub

12. Tony Romo

13. Sam Bradford

14. Josh Freeman

15. Mark Sanchez

16. Jay Cutler

17. Donovan McNabb

18. Matt Cassel

19. Kyle Orton

20. Kevin Kolb

21. Matt Stafford

22. Matt Hasselbeck

23. David Garrard

24. Cam Newton

25. Ryan Fitzpatrick

26. Jason Campbell

27. Alex Smith

28. Chad Henne

29. Tavaris Jackson

30. Colt McCoy

31. Andy Dalton

32. John Beck/Rex Grossman

Agree or disagree with Glenn and I? Give us a call 410-481-1570 during the 3 and 4PM hours, tweet us @GlennClarkWNST, @RyanChell87, or @WNST! Email us ryan@wnst.net or glenn@wnst.net!

You can now hear the explanations for these selections in three different segments at the BuyaToyota.com Audio Vault!

I love it when Joe Flacco talks dirty. Somehow it hasn’t raised a lot of eyebrows or created a ton of conversation just yet but Joe Flacco’s “Welcome Home” meet up with the media on Wednesday afternoon sure created some stir in my mind. Perhaps a lot of folks haven’t heard it yet or really processed it the way I did but you can listen here.

About his skills, Joe Flacco said: “I’m pretty damned good.” And you know what? I agree with him. And his perspective on the whole situation – “there’s only one good quarterback and 31 others who aren’t” – is dead on.

Joe Flacco “gets it.”

Look, I was as dumbfounded as the rest of you when the Ravens picked him three years ago, especially when on draft day the organization managed to keep it a state secret about their affection for the pride of Newark and all of Blue Hendom. Small school kid, almost geekish in his passion for football, sports and very little else, but he’s made everyone in the scouting department look like a genius with three consecutive January road playoff runs and wins every year.

He’s done everything that Kyle Boller — and everyone before him and like him, botched first-round picks in tons of cities around the NFL — have failed to do. Flacco has instantly won football games and given his team a chance every January to win a Super Bowl. He’s been nothing but a winner since he’s been here.

OK, so he hasn’t won the Super Bowl but neither have most any other quarterbacks just three years into their tenure. And I already like his odds better than some “successful” quarterbacks like Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer, Matt Ryan, etc.

As I watch this furious action around the league and see the likes of Donovan McNabb and Matt Hasselbeck being given more starting opportunities, I’ve come to the grand conclusion that I’m happy  having “the other No. 5” on our side.

I’m a Joe Flacco man. I’m a Joe Flacco fan. I believe he can win a Super Bowl (or four) here in Baltimore. I think the Ravens made a good choice picking him and I think they’re wise to count their blessings for what they have and continue to support him in winning a championship here.

And it might’ve taken his rant on Wednesday to convince me because sometimes he seems a bit shy, reserved, unaffected but I’ve never really doubted his fire. And maybe that’s because I stand next to him three days a week and I can pull him up after the game and chat with him. He’s anything BUT “not affected” after losses. He just handles the wins and losses like a grown up and not like a maniac.

It’s the Joe Flacco way.

Joe Cool.

That’s really a PERFECT nickname for him. He’s always cool.

I’ve seen and heard him drop massive F bombs, swearing a blue streak

Here are the formulary rankings for week 9. They’re based on 2-parts player expectations, 1-part defensive expectations based on match-ups with minor adjustments made for injuries, anomalies, changes in work load and of course my gut.

As always, trust your own gut, pay attention to the injury report, good luck and have fun. If you aren’t having fun playing fantasy football, you’re doing it wrong.

Other Positions:     RB     WR     TE     K     D/ST

QUARTERBACKS

1. Phillip Rivers @ HOU

2. Peyton Manning @ PHI

3. Aaron Rodgers vs. DAL

4. Tom Brady @ CLE

5. Eli Manning @ SEA

6. Drew Brees @ CAR

7. Jay Cutler @ BUF

8. Ben Roethlisberger @ CIN

9. Joe Flacco vs. MIA

10. Matt Ryan vs. TB

11. Matt Schaub vs. SD

12. Matthew Stafford vs. NYJ

13. Josh Freeman @ ATL

14. Mark Sanchez @ DET

15. Carson Palmer vs. PIT

16. Michael Vick vs. IND

17. Brett Favre vs. AZ

18. Jon Kitna @ GB

19. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. CHI

20. Colt McCoy vs. NE

21. Chad Henne @ BAL

22. Matt Cassel @ OAK

23. Jason Campbell vs. KC

24. Derek Anderson @ MIN

25. Charlie Whitehurst vs. NYG

26. Matt Moore vs. NO

Other Positions:     RB     WR     TE     K     D/ST

Here’s Where I’m Playing Right Now.

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Here are the Fantasy Flavor “Formulary” Start Rankings for week 8. They’re based on 2-parts player expectations and 1-part defensive expectations based on their opponent, with adjustments made for injuries, changes in work load, anomalies and my gut. Each player’s “formulary” number (the lower the better) is in parentheses behind their match-up.

As always, keep an eye on the injury report, trust your gut, good luck and have fun. If you aren’t having fun playing fantasy football, you’re doing it wrong.

*Match-ups listed as @SF or vs. DEN are taking place in London this week. No adjustments have been made for inordinate travel or weather.

 RB       WR       TE       K       D/ST

QUARTERBACKS

1. Peyton Manning vs. HOU (3)

2. Aaron Rodgers @ NYJ (10)

3. Donavan McNabb @ DET (25)

4. Kyle Orton @ SF (26)

5. Phillip Rivers vs. SD (28)

6. Carson Palmer vs. MIA (30)

7. Brett Favre @ NE (30) *put Jackson around 14th if it’s him

8. Tom Brady vs. MIN (31)

9. Matt Schaub @ IND (31)

10. Drew Brees vs. PIT (32)

11. Jon Kitna vs. JAX (32)

12. Mark Sanchez vs. GB (33)

13. Ben Roethlisberger @ NO (33)

14. Matt Cassel vs. BUF (35)

15. Ryan Fitzpatrick @ KC (38)

16. Matthew Stafford vs. WAS (39)

17. Josh Freeman @ AZ (43)

18. Chad Henne @ CIN (43)

19. Matt Hasselbeck @ AK (48)

20. Troy Smith vs. DEN (49)

21. David Garrard @ DAL (49)

22. Bruce Gradkowski vs. SEA (58)

23. Sam Bradford vs. CAR (59)

24. Derek Anderson vs. TB (61)

25. Vince Young @ SD (62)

26. Matt Moore @ St.L (64)

RB       WR       TE       K       D/ST

Here’s Where I’m Playing Right Now.

Gridiron Challenge at ESPN is a salary cap football game that allows you to change your entire lineup from week to week if you deem it necessary. Join my group.

  

ESPN’s Streak for the Cash is the safest way to gamble on the web. Compile the longest monthly winning streak for a chance at $25,000. Join My Group.