It's the do-or-die point for fantasy teams on the playoff bubble, as most leagues are set

to play their final regular-season games this week. Of course, there are still four weeks left

in the NFL regular season, which means plenty of agonizing decisions will need to be made over

the next month.

So far in the NFL, just four teams had been eliminated from playoff contention heading into

Thursday night's game between Buffalo and the New York Jets. They are Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis and

Tampa Bay. The useful fantasy players on those four teams are limited to Lions receiver Calvin

Johnson and running back Kevin Smith and Rams running back Steven Jackson, so they can

continue to be used with no worries.

The tougher decisions come when deciding what to do with players on teams who begin to

solidify their playoff spots, and thus sit starters. Luckily this year, such a problem should

not present itself until much later in the regular season. There are 28 teams still in playoff

contention, as well as seeding races in both conferences.

That's especially true in the NFC, where 11-0 New Orleans has to worry about losing the No.

1 seed to 10-1 Minnesota. That's great news for Drew Brees (3,117 yards, 27 touchdowns)

owners, since it means the Saints will keep their star quarterback in the lineup late into the

season. The only uncertainty when it comes to Brees is guessing which receiver he'll throw to

on a weekly basis.

If Minnesota can't catch New Orleans, Adrian Peterson owners should definitely take notice.

Peterson gets banged up from time to time and would be a prime candidate to take a week off to

get ready for the playoffs. With the first snap he takes Sunday, Brett Favre will set the NFL

record for consecutive games played by a non-kicker at 283, so it's safe to say he won't be

coming out of the lineup.

On the AFC side, the only team that should be considered a worry for sitting players soon

is Indianapolis. The Colts own a three-game lead in the race for the conference's No. 1 seed.

Like the Saints, though, they are 11-0 and also chasing history. Fantasy owners should hope

that chase for an unbeaten record continues and coach Jim Caldwell decides to leave Peyton

Manning (3,415 yards, 24 TDs) in the lineup. Of course, Manning might play only a half and

still put up better numbers than other starting quarterbacks.

The other two teams with at least a two-game lead in their divisions are Arizona (7-4) and

Cincinnati (8-3). With both teams having veteran quarterbacks in Kurt Warner and Carson

Palmer, watch out for them to take a break, especially in Warner's case since he's working

back from a concussion.

Chip shots

If you're desperate for depth at running back, it's worth noting the Browns' Jamal

Lewis was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. He said earlier this season that 2009 would be

his last. What veteran fantasy player hasn't owned Lewis at some point during his decade-long

career? Chris Jennings and Jerome Harrison will share rushing duties for the Browns.

Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson doesn't think he'll play Sunday after suffering

a concussion last week against Washington. Jackson has been the Eagles' top wideout this year.

Consider rookie Jeremy Maclin a stronger play this week.

In a surprising move, the Seattle Seahawks are expected to start Julius Jones at

running back over Justin Forsett. Forsett has rushed for 262 yards and four touchdowns in the

past three weeks while Jones has been injured with a bruised lung. Considering Jones has

outgained Forsett by just 7 more yards (392-385) this season on 40 more carries (107-67) the

move doesn't make a lot of sense.

The running back situation in Atlanta is a mess. Michael Turner missed practice

Wednesday with a high ankle sprain and is questionable for Sunday. Even if Turner does play,

there's no guarantee he'll be 100 percent. He was rushed back into the lineup last week

against Tampa Bay and was reinjured. This raises the question: Who would get the majority of

snaps if Turner can't play, Jason Snelling or Jerious Norwood?

Pierre Thomas of the Saints has been limited in practice because of a wrist injury.

Given the Saints' depth on offense, they have the luxury of being able to rest Thomas if he's

not 100 percent healthy.