Thursday games return to the NFL schedule and for another year they once again annoy fantasy owners. The shortened week requires increased diligence in keeping up with injury reports and lineup changes. With the fantasy playoffs right around the corner, this is no time to start slacking. Do the extra work and reap the rewards.

Quarterbacks

Could Impress: Ben Roethlisberger. The transformation of the Steelers offense looks to be complete after Big Ben posted three 300 yard passing games against some tough defenses. Expect Roethlisberger to continue to sling the ball around the field for the rest of the year, with some very easy fantasy matchups coming up in all but week 15.

Could Disappoint: Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills QB finally got his big money, but has not been earning it the past few weeks. He’s committed 8 turnovers in the last four games, but has still been able to find the end zone in each matchup. He was my ‘Keep an eye on’ nominee last week, and that hasn’t changed. The key for Fitzpatrick is to not overvalue him. Good story, easy to root for, but he’s a QB2 and should not be started on a weekly basis.

Keep an eye on: Matt Hasselbeck. He’s been extremely reliable as a fantasy fill-in, putting up double-digit fantasy points in all but one game. The most impressive thing about Hasselbeck is that his best games are likely still ahead of him, with Tennessee facing New Orleans, Indianapolis and Jacksonville in the fantasy playoffs.

Injury Replacement: Mark Sanchez. It’s not often that I will mention Sanchez as a fantasy option, but the Patriots defense has done a good job of making a number of quarterbacks look much better than they actually are. At least for one week, you could do worse than Sanchez.

QB Rankings

1. Aaron Rodgers GB (vs. Minnesota)

2. Michael Vick PHI (vs. Arizona)

3. Cam Newton CAR (vs. Tennessee)

4. Drew Brees NO (@ Atlanta)

5. Matthew Stafford DET (@ Chicago)

6. Tom Brady NE (@ New York Jets)

7. Ben Roethlisberger PIT (@ Cincinnati)

8. Tony Romo DAL (vs. Buffalo)

9. Eli Manning NYG (@ San Francisco)

10. Philip Rivers SD (vs. Oakland) ** Thursday game

11. Matt Schaub HOU (@ Tampa Bay)

12. Matt Ryan ATL (vs. New Orleans)

13. Tim Tebow DEN (@ Kansas City)

14. Jay Cutler CHI (vs. Detroit)

15. Joe Flacco BAL (@ Seattle)

16. Matt Cassel KC (vs. Denver)

17. Carson Palmer OAK (@ San Diego) ** Thursday game

18. Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (@ Dallas)

19. Mark Sanchez NYJ (vs. New England)

20. Josh Freeman TB (vs. Houston)

21. Matt Hasselbeck TEN (@ Carolina)

22. Andy Dalton CIN (vs. Pittsburgh)

23. Sam Bradford STL (@ Cleveland)

24. Christian Ponder MIN (@ Green Bay)

25. Alex Smith SF (vs. New York Giants)

Running Backs

Could Impress: Chris Johnson. Fantasy owners have waited all season for CJ2K to break out of his slump, and they may have seen that happen last week. If not, there’s a very good chance he’ll regain his form against Carolina. No one allows more fantasy points to running backs than the Panthers and it’s expected that Johnson will see plenty of carries while the Titans try to slow down the tempo of the game.

Could Disappoint: Daniel Thomas. Once thought to have a real chance at becoming a fantasy factor this season, Thomas has been hampered by injury and ineffectiveness. With Reggie Bush (and his huge contract) getting things done the last two weeks, don’t expect much from Thomas for the foreseeable future.

Keep an eye on: Roy Helu. Fantasy owners have one again been Shanahan-ed. Right before tipoff, the world’s biggest fantasy football hater announced that Helu would get the start for the Redskins, and the rookie actually had a pretty good game, catching 14 passes and getting 10 touches on the ground. If Shanahan doesn’t change his mind again, Helu is a good flex play.

Injury Replacement: Maurice Morris. It looks like Jahvid Best will be out once again, meaning that Morris will once again carry the load. Best was able to run all over the Bears in the last matchup, but expect most of Morris’ contributions to come through the air. He’s a good flex play in a PPR league.

RB Rankings